XP Activation Problems

[doctorhardware]

I am working on a computer, I am trying to figure out how to reactivate windows. The activation screen comes up after clicking yes on the box that shows up durring the boot sequence. The blue activation screen will be displayed but when you make the selection and click next nothing happens. It never allows you to go through the activation process.

[kevdriver]

Hey Doc, Are you using a Genuine XP CD ? If you are, I believe they only allow a certain number of activations per disc then you have to call Microsoft to give you a new number. If this is the case with you, just tell them that you have made no changes to HD or CPU or Mobo and that you had a virus and were trying to reload a fresh copy of windows but you couldn't. They will give you a new key which will activate and validate windows for you.


P.S I've done this very many times with my copy of XP.

[doctorhardware]

Yes I am and I was told that the machine had used up all the hardware changes. The thing is that I built the system. My friend has no hardware experience, no hardware changes were made to the machine. I pulled the hard drive and scanned it for viruses and it was way over 1 thousand. So that may have been the problem. The anti virus was expired he like Norton's. I guess I will have to load a program like remote access that I can use to make sure that the system is running good with no problems and that I can make changes when needed.

[gonwk]

Hi doc,

Dameware is pretty decent program according to my buddy who is a Tech Support guy! But it is not Free.

I wonder if anyone has heard of a FREEWARE called "UltraVNC" and if it is a SAFE Freeware!?!? http://www.uvnc.com/

If anyone knows of a GREAT Freeware may be they can share it here!

G!

[doctorhardware]

Well I was able to finally fix the activation problem, but I made a big mistake by calling Microsoft and doing what they said to do. Really hosed up the computer. Ended up formatting the drive and starting over. I did a backup of the documents and setting and the program folder. So I should be ok, but I will have to make new desktop icons. What a pain doing all the xp updates.

[MilesAhead]

Well I was able to finally fix the activation problem, but I made a big mistake by calling Microsoft and doing what they said to do. Really hosed up the computer. Ended up formatting the drive and starting over. I did a backup of the documents and setting and the program folder. So I should be ok, but I will have to make new desktop icons. What a pain doing all the xp updates.

That sucks. Unless the OS has some quirk that's making me crazy I try to stick with a Service Pack number and leave it at that. When you think about how computers work though, it's pretty amazing the things ever get to the desktop. One driver, DLL, library, COM whatever after another just loading willy nilly and hoping it all comes up without crashing!!! Pretty ridiculous actually.