Activation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bill Ridgeway
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Bill Ridgeway

I have a Client who has not activated Windows within the 28 days and has
lost the Windows XP CD.

I have, of course, advised him that he needs to get a Windows XP CD.

Can he use the code on this CD to activate or does he have to re-install
from scratch? Obviously there is a great advantage in avoiding
re-installing.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
 
In Bill Ridgeway <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:
I have a Client who has not activated Windows within the 28 days and
has lost the Windows XP CD.

I have, of course, advised him that he needs to get a Windows XP CD.

Can he use the code on this CD to activate or does he have to
re-install from scratch? Obviously there is a great advantage in
avoiding re-installing.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
Click to expand...

I am not 100% certain but I BELIEVE that without serious work you'll need to
re-install. When you boot it does it go straight to shut down? Or is it well
enough designed to go to the activation screen only? (I've never let one run
out.) As for the CD contact the OEM (or Microsoft if that's where the disk
came from) about getting a replacement. They're usually only a few bucks to
get so long as he at least has the original order number or what the company
requires for verification.

Galen
 
I have a Client who has not activated Windows within the 28 days and has
lost the Windows XP CD.

I have, of course, advised him that he needs to get a Windows XP CD.

Can he use the code on this CD to activate or does he have to re-install
from scratch? Obviously there is a great advantage in avoiding
re-installing.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
Click to expand...

Putting aside the missing CD issue...

If the client starts the system in Safe Mode, he should be able to activate
the current installation over the phone. The code needed to do this is not
the same as the 25 character product key. It's a long, long series of
characters that is generated during the activation process.

There are some new activation rules regarding OEM CDs installed on changed
hardware. If there is a new motherboard on an otherwise original HP, for
example, this system would fall under the new rules (required phone
activation). I haven't studied the particulars of the new rules yet but
suspect that the 25 character product key may be needed for that type of
scenario.
 
In
Bill Ridgeway said:
I have a Client who has not activated Windows within the 28
days and
has lost the Windows XP CD.

I have, of course, advised him that he needs to get a Windows
XP CD.
Click to expand...



If his was a retail version, he should be able to get it
replaced. See
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[ln];326246.

But if it was an OEM version, Microsoft won't support it and he's
probably out of luck, and will have to buy a new one. However it
doesn't hurt to try asking the OEM he bought it from if they can
replace it.


Can he use the code on this CD to activate
Click to expand...


If the CD is the same type (Home vs. Professional; Retail vs.
OEM; Full vs Upgrade), yes.
 
Bill Ridgeway said:
I have a Client who has not activated Windows within the 28 days and has
lost the Windows XP CD.

I have, of course, advised him that he needs to get a Windows XP CD.

Can he use the code on this CD to activate or does he have to re-install
from scratch? Obviously there is a great advantage in avoiding
re-installing.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
Click to expand...

The CD should not be required for Activation. The critical component,
insofar as the license is concerned, is the Product Key and not the CD
disk.

If his Windows XP is an OEM version (came bundled with a new PC) then
the Product Key should be on a label affixed to the outside of the
computer case, often on the rear or the bottom. If it is a retail
version then the product key was in the package with the CD.

However in either case if the Windows XP was installed and usable for
the past 30 days then the product key must have been entered correctly
at the time of installation/first startup. You can determine the
product key used to install Windows XP with the following utilities:
Windows XP Product Key finder:
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/keyfinder.exe
Magic Jelly Bean key finder:
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm
 
In
Bill Ridgeway said:
I have a Client who has not activated Windows within the 28 days and
has lost the Windows XP CD.

I have, of course, advised him that he needs to get a Windows XP CD.

Can he use the code on this CD to activate or does he have to
re-install from scratch? Obviously there is a great advantage in
avoiding re-installing. to

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions
Click to expand...

The XP CD is not really the important part of the problem. The Product Key
that was located on the back of Green or Blue presentation folder where the
retail XP CD was presented or the label on the shrink-wrap for the
non-vendor OEM versions is the important part, that is where the Product Key
is located. If the original folders or labels are not found, the options are
limited to the version purchased. If the version was OEM, it is very likely
they will be out of luck obtaining the PK from the vendor that sold them the
OEM version. Retail purchases can get a new product key if they have proof
of purchase documentation from MS. If the clients situation warrants
desperate measures, Google for solutions.
Use this link to bring system back to MS complicense.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
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