Hard disk crashed - where is my 50-digital WinXP installation id?

[Erica Eshoo]

I don't mind calling Microsoft at 1-888-571-2048, but, where do I get my
WIndows XP 50-digit installation ID?

After my kid's hard disk crashed I put a spare disk, which was long lying
around, in the computer. Up popped "Activate Windows" which hangs forever
with the laptop on my desk not hooked to anything but power.

Googling, I find this is the Windows XP activation process:
- Start with a unique 25-character product key on the CDROM case
- This creates a 20-digit product id
- A hardware hash is created from 10 hardware items
- The hardware hash + product key combine to a 50-digit installation ID
- You give that 50-digit installation ID to Microsoft (1-888-571-2048)
- Start -> Run -> oobe/msoobe /a
- This modifies the two files wpa.dbl & wpa.bak (save them for future use)
- C:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl & c:\windows\system32\wpa.bak
- In the future, press F8 to boot to safe mode = minimal
- And just copy those files back onto the newly formatted hard disk

When I run "Start -> Run -> oobe/msoobe /a" on my second laptop, it says:
"Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit"

However, my kid's laptop with the spare hard drive in it, won't boot.
It's stuck at the "Activate Windows" screen with nothing to press or hit
except the red x to close the window.

I don't mind calling Microsoft at 1-888-571-2048, but, where do I get my
Windows XP 50-digit installation ID?

 

[mscotgrove]

I don't mind calling Microsoft at 1-888-571-2048, but, where do I get my
WIndows XP 50-digit installation ID?

After my kid's hard disk crashed I put a spare disk, which was long lying
around, in the computer. Up popped "Activate Windows" which hangs forever
with the laptop on my desk not hooked to anything but power.

Googling, I find this is the Windows XP activation process:
- Start with a unique 25-character product key on the CDROM case
- This creates a 20-digit product id
- A hardware hash is created from 10 hardware items
- The hardware hash + product key combine to a 50-digit installation ID
- You give that 50-digit installation ID to Microsoft (1-888-571-2048)
- Start -> Run -> oobe/msoobe /a
- This modifies the two files wpa.dbl & wpa.bak (save them for future use)
- C:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl & c:\windows\system32\wpa.bak
- In the future, press F8 to boot to safe mode = minimal
- And just copy those files back onto the newly formatted hard disk

When I run "Start -> Run -> oobe/msoobe /a" on my second laptop, it says:
"Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit"

However, my kid's laptop with the spare hard drive in it, won't boot.
It's stuck at the "Activate Windows" screen with nothing to press or hit
except the red x to close the window.

I don't mind calling Microsoft at 1-888-571-2048, but, where do I get my
Windows XP 50-digit installation ID?

I thought you just needed 25 character string, on the CD or the
holigraphic label on the laptop/PC case.

It is normally asked for whem one does a complete initial install, or
first start of Laptop

Michael

Michael

 

[Lee]

I thought you just needed 25 character string, on the CD or the
holigraphic label on the laptop/PC case.

It is normally asked for whem one does a complete initial install, or
first start of Laptop

Michael

Michael

It also asks if you change motherboard, hard drive or network card.
Lee

 

[Erica Eshoo]

It also asks if you change motherboard, hard drive or network card.

My kid's laptop didn't come with a CD for Windows.
It just came with Windows XP on it.Then the hard disk drive crashed.

When I put a spare hard drive I had lying around in, up came this message
about Windows Activation being needed before I could log in. OK. Fine.

But, the Windows Activation window just came up blue and blank with no
buttons, no action, no words, no nuthin'. I waited an hour and still
nothing. I plugged into a live ethernet, and did a hardware reboot, and
still nothing when it came up the same way.

What's wrong with Windows Activation?

 

[Erica Eshoo]

It also asks if you change motherboard, hard drive or network card.

Well, even though I didn't find it in the google record, it seems if you
change EVERYTHING (all ten parameters), then Windows Activation just locks
up.

I'm surprised it does this - not because Microsoft wouldn't want you to
swap C drives on computers - but because I haven't seen this in the
googling I did.

Anyway, be advised - Microsoft will NOT let you move a hard drive boot disk
from one laptop to another as a boot disk - Microsoft won't even let you
activate it - the activation screen will simply lock up on you.

Your only choice is to reinstall the operating system (which is what I
did).

Be forwarned!

 

[Harry331]

Erica Eshoo wrote...

Your only choice is to reinstall the operating system (which is what I
did).

Be forwarned!

or restore from backup's (which is what many of us did).

Be prepared (for disasters)!

 

[Erica Eshoo]

or restore from backup's (which is what many of us did).

Do you REALLY backup your ENTIRE operating system?

And, when you restore it to a brand-new disk, are you SURE it really works?

I've NEVER had success backing up programs.

I've only had success backing up data.

Do you really back up the entire operating system and all the programs and
they work when you're done?

I find that very hard to believe. You _must_ be a genius 'cuz I can never
get that to work.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Well, even though I didn't find it in the google record, it seems if you
change EVERYTHING (all ten parameters), then Windows Activation just locks
up.

I'm surprised it does this - not because Microsoft wouldn't want you to
swap C drives on computers - but because I haven't seen this in the
googling I did.

Anyway, be advised - Microsoft will NOT let you move a hard drive boot disk
from one laptop to another as a boot disk - Microsoft won't even let you
activate it - the activation screen will simply lock up on you.

Your only choice is to reinstall the operating system (which is what I
did).

Be forwarned!

Yeah, but you can do a "repair" install rather than a "fresh" install,
then activate it. That way, you won't have to re-install all your
applications and data.

Larry

 

[bluerhinoceros]

Well, even though I didn't find it in the google record, it seems if you
change EVERYTHING (all ten parameters), then Windows Activation just locks
up.

I'm surprised it does this - not because Microsoft wouldn't want you to
swap C drives on computers - but because I haven't seen this in the
googling I did.

Anyway, be advised - Microsoft will NOT let you move a hard drive boot disk
from one laptop to another as a boot disk - Microsoft won't even let you
activate it - the activation screen will simply lock up on you.

Your only choice is to reinstall the operating system (which is what I
did).

Be forwarned!

You might have tried phoning them. I've had cases of activation lockup
before, and they've stepped me through safe-mode (where activation
doesn't run) stuff that has allowed the current install to be used by
resetting the activation. I had to bypass the voice prompts to get to a
live person, who then referred me to licensing. This was on a retail
version install.

Cheers.

 

[Rod Speed]

Well, even though I didn't find it in the google record, it seems if
you change EVERYTHING (all ten parameters), then Windows Activation
just locks up.

I'm surprised it does this - not because Microsoft wouldn't want you
to swap C drives on computers - but because I haven't seen this in the
googling I did.

Anyway, be advised - Microsoft will NOT let you move a hard drive
boot disk from one laptop to another as a boot disk - Microsoft won't
even let you activate it - the activation screen will simply lock up on you.
Wrong.

Your only choice is to reinstall the operating system
Wrong.

(which is what I did).

Be forwarned!

You're mangling the story completely.

 

[Rod Speed]

Do you REALLY backup your ENTIRE operating system?

Yep, plenty with a clue do, particularly with a laptop.

And, when you restore it to a brand-new disk, are you SURE it really works?

Yep, done it countless times when doing maintenance on systems and
on the test system where I have a number of images of various OSs etc.

I've NEVER had success backing up programs.

Then you arent using the right imaging software.

I've only had success backing up data.

Then you are in no position to be giving any advice to anyone on anything at all, ever.

Do you really back up the entire operating system and
all the programs and they work when you're done?

Yep, completely trivial.

I find that very hard to believe.

Your problem.

You _must_ be a genius 'cuz I can never get that to work.

Anyone with a clue can. You dont need to be anything like a genius.

 

[bluerhinoceros]

Do you REALLY backup your ENTIRE operating system?

And, when you restore it to a brand-new disk, are you SURE it really works?

I've NEVER had success backing up programs.

I've only had success backing up data.

Do you really back up the entire operating system and all the programs and
they work when you're done?

I find that very hard to believe. You _must_ be a genius 'cuz I can never
get that to work.

No IQ necessary, use a disk imaging software like DriveImage XML, and
not a file-based backup like (uggh) NtBackup.

Cheers.

 

[Harry331]

Erica Eshoo wrote...

Do you REALLY backup your ENTIRE operating system?

And, when you restore it to a brand-new disk, are you SURE it really works?

Yep. My hard drive crashed a few months ago. I bought a new one.
Restored it. No problem.

I've NEVER had success backing up programs.

I've only had success backing up data.

Do you really back up the entire operating system and all the programs and
they work when you're done?

Yep. Of course. What's the purpose of backup software if they can't
backup the entire OS? I did backup every week. Restore from backup
whenever my anti-virus program detected anything bad.

I find that very hard to believe. You _must_ be a genius 'cuz I can never
get that to work.

Not really, just an original PC user, who had take sometime to do
preventative measure. I'm sure you can do the same as well.

 

[Raymond J. Johnson Jr.]

Do you REALLY backup your ENTIRE operating system?

And, when you restore it to a brand-new disk, are you SURE it really works?

I've NEVER had success backing up programs.

I've only had success backing up data.

Do you really back up the entire operating system and all the programs and
they work when you're done?

I find that very hard to believe. You _must_ be a genius 'cuz I can never
get that to work.

If you think everyone smarter than you is a genius, there are *billions*
of geniuses in the world.

 

[-Lost]

Anyone with a clue can. You dont need to be anything like a
genius.

I have tried my best recently not to engage in what I find
questionable behavior as to avoid the entire troll or flame
controversies people like to hurl at each other, but...

That is twice now that I have seen you reply purporting to have loads
of answers yet not offer ANYTHING helpful.

To that end, I'd be interested in hearing what recommendations you
have for:

1. Imaging software.

2. Methods of restoring a disk and/or taking an existing disk to
another computer.

3. Deploying multiple images.

And instead of spouting "wrong" say what it is exactly that is wrong
about it. You stating that someone is "mangling the story" does not
solve the enigma you are attempting to create.

Thanks.

 

[Rod Speed]

I have tried my best recently not to engage in what I find
questionable behavior as to avoid the entire troll or flame
controversies people like to hurl at each other, but...

But you will do so anyway...

Your best is clearly nothing like good enough.

That is twice now that I have seen you reply purporting
to have loads of answers yet not offer ANYTHING helpful.

Cant even manage a viable troll...

To that end, I'd be interested in hearing what recommendations you have for:

1. Imaging software.

I like Acronis' True Image. It does what she claims she cant do fine.

2. Methods of restoring a disk

See above. Any viable imaging software can do that.

and/or taking an existing disk to another computer.

Too carelessly stated for it to be possible to make any recommendation on that.

3. Deploying multiple images.
Ditto.

And instead of spouting "wrong" say what it is exactly that is wrong about it.

I clearly did just that above. In spades with what you carefully deleted from the quoting.

You stating that someone is "mangling the story" does
not solve the enigma you are attempting to create.

Just another of your pathetic little drug crazed attempts at a troll, child.

Thanks.

No thanks, **** off.

 

[Mark Warner]

Anyway, be advised - Microsoft will NOT let you move a hard drive boot disk
from one laptop to another as a boot disk - Microsoft won't even let you
activate it - the activation screen will simply lock up on you.

And all this time you thought you'd *bought* something.

 

[FeMaster]

Well, even though I didn't find it in the google record, it seems if you
change EVERYTHING (all ten parameters), then Windows Activation just locks
up.

I'm surprised it does this - not because Microsoft wouldn't want you to
swap C drives on computers - but because I haven't seen this in the
googling I did.

Anyway, be advised - Microsoft will NOT let you move a hard drive boot
disk
from one laptop to another as a boot disk - Microsoft won't even let you
activate it - the activation screen will simply lock up on you.

Your only choice is to reinstall the operating system (which is what I
did).

Be forwarned!

The problem here is that you can't just take an install that was designed
for one machine and drop into another. Unless those laptops are 100%
identical, it's not going to work. The install of XP was setup for certain
hardware. If that hardware is not the same (100%) in the second laptop,
it's not going to know how to control the hardware; it won't have the proper
drivers to let XP interact with the hardware. From the was I see it, you
should feel damn lucky that the install of XP even booted at all, let alone
the minor problem of it locking up at the activation screen...

 

[Eric Gisin]

Most laptops use Intel chipsets, and moving XP between them works.

 

[Harry331]

-Lost wrote...

1. Imaging software.

Acronis True Image

2. Methods of restoring a disk and/or taking an existing disk to
another computer.

- for restore: Acronis True Image
- for transferring hard disk to another computer
- identical PC'es
(same motherborad, same disk controller, same video driver,
same eveything)
- alternatively, Sysprep the source OS first ;-)
tranafer the hdd, and cross your fingers before reboot

3. Deploying multiple images.

- Sysprep (google "sysprep")
- Acronis Snap Depoy