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Can't activate Windows XP Pro SP2 (Genuine Advantage Kit) after reinstalling

Anonymous
2012-11-29T18:55:15+00:00

I was running XP Pro SP3 but the PC motherboard failed.  Replaced it with a new one (with compatible new CPU; graphics and network are onboard). Hard disk boots to Windows but repeatedly restarts; putting it in another PC, it passes CHKDSK, so I assume that a Windows system component is missing or corrupt.  Re-installed Windows OK from original CD, using Repair option for existing Windows system, and it then boots but requires re-activation immediately after login (as expected).  Click OK, the message disappears and I'm left with the desktop picture (and no menus) which sits there forever, presumably because it's trying to activate over the network which isn't active as the driver hasn't been installed yet and I can't install it until Windows is running. There wasn't a phone option for activation but I tried the phone activation line that I used when I originally installed and got passed several times to other technicians.  The last one sent me an email on how to activate.  I know how to activate, but I don't get any further than confirming that I want to activate - I don't get as far as numbers to key in on the phone pad.  Safe Mode says that I must reboot normally to activate and returns me to the login screen.  I can get into Safe Mode with DOS prompt, but then what?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-11-30T16:58:27+00:00

    You haven't said, but if the license is OEM and not full retail then the license died with the motherboard as it's classed a 'new' computer and you would have to buy a new copy of Windows.

    Hope this helps.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-30T13:53:54+00:00

    have you tried installing sp3 for windows xp and then activating afterwards?

    download sp3 full installer here, then install it and reboot if prompted:

     http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24

    then try to activate using the internet or thru phone activation.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-30T13:30:30+00:00

    Hi J Bennison,

    I see that you are trying to activate Windows XP Pro SP2. I will help you with this issue.

    1.Is the computer connected to a domain network?

    2.What exactly do you mean by “it's trying to activate over the network which isn't active”?

    Please provide us with more information to continue with the troubleshooting accordingly.

    Refer the link on how to ask questions or help on Forums.

    Suggestions for asking a question on help forums: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

    Additional Information.

    How to activate Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

    You are prompted to activate Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 every time that you start the computer: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312295?wa=wsignin1.0

    Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    322756

    (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ )

    How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

    Hope this helps.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2012-12-01T09:31:28+00:00

    Hi J Bennison,

    Thanks for the reply.

    Glad to know that you were able to fix the issue. Your efforts to resolve this issue is very much appreciated. Feel free to post your query here on Windows Forums, we would be happy to assist you.

    Thanks.

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  5. Anonymous
    2012-11-30T20:59:30+00:00

    Sorry, none of the replies was helpful. Windows never got as far as the desktop and menus so it was impossible to download anything (and so the network adapter driver couldn't be installed to get on the Internet).  The reactivation message appeared immediately after logon and cancelling it returned to the logon screen.

    As a payroll had to be run today, I spent the night doing a clean install, reinstalling all the drivers and software and restoring data.  This went smoothly with no problem reactivating. PC now running.

    Thanks.

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