XP Registration Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter vic
  • Start date Start date
V

vic

I had to install a new hard drive in a DELL Dimension desktop. When I
reinstalled the operating system (XP), using the Dell Reinstallation Disk
that came with the computer, everything went fine but when I did the final
reboot, I got a message wanting me to "activate" XP. I've reinstalled XP on
Dell computers more than a few times using their CD, but have never seen
this message. I read up on the problem and found that is sometimes happens
when one or more of certain hardware components are replaced, as in this
case...a hard drive. I called Dell... They said it was a Microsoft problem.
I called Microsoft...They said it was a Dell problem. At this point, I
guess I should thank them both for hanging me out to dry on this. Does
anyone have some idea of what I might do? I also tried to activate XP using
the product numbers on the computer tag, but get a message that I have an
invalid key. It IS the key that came with the computer and the CD FROM DELL.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
V
--
*******************************************
"There's a lot to be said for reincarnation.
Just think... Next time I could get it right"

*******************************************
 
Try using the phone activation method and explain the situation to the
activation worker.
 
Do you still have the original Dell motherboard?
You may have a bad installation and need to reinstall to get past if Harry's
suggestion does not work.
 
vic said:
I had to install a new hard drive in a DELL Dimension desktop. When I
reinstalled the operating system (XP), using the Dell Reinstallation
Disk that came with the computer, everything went fine but when I did
the final reboot, I got a message wanting me to "activate" XP. I've
reinstalled XP on Dell computers more than a few times using their
CD, but have never seen this message. I read up on the problem and
found that is sometimes happens when one or more of certain hardware
components are replaced, as in this case...a hard drive. I called
Dell... They said it was a Microsoft problem. I called
Microsoft...They said it was a Dell problem. At this point, I guess
I should thank them both for hanging me out to dry on this. Does
anyone have some idea of what I might do? I also tried to activate XP
using the product numbers on the computer tag, but get a message that
I have an invalid key. It IS the key that came with the computer and
the CD FROM DELL. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,
V
Click to expand...

OEM installations have been removed from Internet activation - have a look
here:
http://software.silicon.com/os/0,39024651,39128174,00.htm
 
I tried it....Calling Microsoft....It's like talking to a wall. Thanks for
you time.
V
Harry Ohrn said:
Try using the phone activation method and explain the situation to the
activation worker.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


vic said:
I had to install a new hard drive in a DELL Dimension desktop. When I
reinstalled the operating system (XP), using the Dell Reinstallation Disk
that came with the computer, everything went fine but when I did the
final
reboot, I got a message wanting me to "activate" XP. I've reinstalled XP on
Dell computers more than a few times using their CD, but have never seen
this message. I read up on the problem and found that is sometimes
happens
when one or more of certain hardware components are replaced, as in this
case...a hard drive. I called Dell... They said it was a Microsoft problem.
I called Microsoft...They said it was a Dell problem. At this point, I
guess I should thank them both for hanging me out to dry on this. Does
anyone have some idea of what I might do? I also tried to activate XP using
the product numbers on the computer tag, but get a message that I have an
invalid key. It IS the key that came with the computer and the CD FROM DELL.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
V
--
*******************************************
"There's a lot to be said for reincarnation.
Just think... Next time I could get it right"

*******************************************
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Only the hard drive was changed. Tried reinstalling three times.
Thanks for your response.
V
 
Somebody should tell the Microsoft representative about their fix. As I
said, I called Microsoft....Several times in fact, and got no help.
Thanks for your time. I appreciate it.
V
 
Something is most likely wrong with the computer or CD.
First of all, if you are installing Windows XP following the procedures set
up by Dell, there should be no activation requirement.
Changing only the hard drive should not cause this since the Dell recovery
CD does not care about the drive.

If your computer is in warranty, contact Dell.
Leave off the details, but just state you are having trouble reinstalling
Windows XP.

Since Activation should not be required, there is really nothing Microsoft
can do.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org
 
vic said:
Somebody should tell the Microsoft representative about their fix. As I
said, I called Microsoft....Several times in fact, and got no help.
Thanks for your time. I appreciate it.
V
Click to expand...

Hi Vic.

You are suffereing from the flawed bloat code added to WinXP known as
Product activation. You have an OEM cd which is supposed to have been
bios locked thereby not requiring you to have to activate it at all if
reinstalled opn the OEM computer you purchased it with. Call Microsoft
activation and tell them you slipstreamed sp2 for xp on your OEM copy of
XP, and now it's prompting you for activation. That should work because
it's a known problem. Good luck.
 
Here's my reference source that states, a hardware key is generated during
the activation process, and changing any of several devices can cause the
reinstallation of XP to choke. Reference "Windows XP Annoyances, by David A.
Carp, O'REILLY Press. ISBN 0-596-00416-8. Chapter 10, Installing Windows XP,
Page 468.
Thanks for your time.
V
 
Thanx! I'll give it a shot.
V
capitan said:
Hi Vic.

You are suffereing from the flawed bloat code added to WinXP known as
Product activation. You have an OEM cd which is supposed to have been
bios locked thereby not requiring you to have to activate it at all if
reinstalled opn the OEM computer you purchased it with. Call Microsoft
activation and tell them you slipstreamed sp2 for xp on your OEM copy of
XP, and now it's prompting you for activation. That should work because
it's a known problem. Good luck.
Click to expand...
 
vic said:
I had to install a new hard drive in a DELL Dimension desktop. When I
reinstalled the operating system (XP), using the Dell Reinstallation Disk
that came with the computer, everything went fine but when I did the final
reboot, I got a message wanting me to "activate" XP. I've reinstalled XP on
Dell computers more than a few times using their CD, but have never seen
this message. I read up on the problem and found that is sometimes happens
when one or more of certain hardware components are replaced, as in this
case...a hard drive. I called Dell... They said it was a Microsoft problem.
I called Microsoft...They said it was a Dell problem. At this point, I
guess I should thank them both for hanging me out to dry on this. Does
anyone have some idea of what I might do? I also tried to activate XP using
the product numbers on the computer tag, but get a message that I have an
invalid key. It IS the key that came with the computer and the CD FROM DELL.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
V
Click to expand...

Try repairing the registry entries for the .DLL files used by
Activation.

Use Start- Run and enter the following text in the dialog box:
regsvr32.exe regwizc.dll

Then do it again with the following text:
regsvr32.exe licdll.dll

Also there are a couple of things that you can do to further check out
the exact status of your Windows XP.

1. Open Control Panel - System - General and look at the 20 character
product i.d. code shown as the last line in the "Licensed to:"
section. The second segment (3 characters long) of this code should
read OEM. If not then somehow a different version of Windows XP has
gotten installed onto your computer.

2. Most Dell OEM versions of Windows are "BIOS Locked" which means
they are self-activating if they are installed on a computer with a
motherboard BIOS from Dell. To see if your OEM version of Windows XP
is BIOS Locked look on the Start Menu under Accessories - System Tools
for an "Activate Windows" menu item. If you do not have this menu
item then your OEM version of Windows is BIOS Locked.

Now if you have confirmed that your installed Windows XP is an OEM
version and that it is BIOS Locked there is one possible cause for
your problems. Did you at any time update the motherboard BIOS with a
BIOS version that was not obtained from the Dell website? In other
words, did you go to the BIOS manufacturer's website rather than Dell
and get a BIOS update from there? If so then you must go to the Dell
website and obtain a BIOS update for your specific computer model and
install it, even if it is an older version than the update you got
from the BIOS manufacturer.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
 
Generally that does not apply to Dell OEM.
See Ron Martell's reply.
But you may have to contact Dell.
 
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