OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system to browse the
internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my system I had a 120 & 80 gb
drive. So I bought a new 250gb drive at Sam's for $119 and installed it in
my system and gave her my 80gb. Her system only has a system restore CD. So
I redid everything. Put it back to as it was when new but with this
"hand-me-down" HD. That worked for a while but then it stopped booting and
only showed "configuration change". So I did it again. Once again it lasted
for a while then did the same thing. So I assume this has to do with their
registration BS. Of course it down't say anything like that. It doesn't say
to contact MS or anything. So how do I fix it? I know when I used the
restore disk it didn't ask for a product key. So how do I get it
reregisterd?

Hi,

Define "a while". 10 minutes? A few days? Weeks? Activation (not
registration) would not be hamstrung by changing the hard drive. I doubt
that it has anything to do with it. If it did, it would occur during
installation, not at a later time. I would also run a drive diagnostic, as
the 80GB may be dying as well.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:KBAUe.35387$(E-Mail Removed)...
> OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system to browse
> the internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my system I had a 120 &
> 80 gb drive. So I bought a new 250gb drive at Sam's for $119 and installed
> it in my system and gave her my 80gb. Her system only has a system restore
> CD. So I redid everything. Put it back to as it was when new but with this
> "hand-me-down" HD. That worked for a while but then it stopped booting and
> only showed "configuration change". So I did it again. Once again it
> lasted for a while then did the same thing. So I assume this has to do
> with their registration BS. Of course it down't say anything like that. It
> doesn't say to contact MS or anything. So how do I fix it? I know when I
> used the restore disk it didn't ask for a product key. So how do I get it
> reregisterd?
>

Few weeks.
It works fine for a while then stops and just displays configuration change.


"Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> Define "a while". 10 minutes? A few days? Weeks? Activation (not
> registration) would not be hamstrung by changing the hard drive. I doubt
> that it has anything to do with it. If it did, it would occur during
> installation, not at a later time. I would also run a drive diagnostic, as
> the 80GB may be dying as well.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:KBAUe.35387$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system to browse
>> the internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my system I had a 120 &
>> 80 gb drive. So I bought a new 250gb drive at Sam's for $119 and
>> installed it in my system and gave her my 80gb. Her system only has a
>> system restore CD. So I redid everything. Put it back to as it was when
>> new but with this "hand-me-down" HD. That worked for a while but then it
>> stopped booting and only showed "configuration change". So I did it
>> again. Once again it lasted for a while then did the same thing. So I
>> assume this has to do with their registration BS. Of course it down't say
>> anything like that. It doesn't say to contact MS or anything. So how do I
>> fix it? I know when I used the restore disk it didn't ask for a product
>> key. So how do I get it reregisterd?
>>
>
>

I know it never asked for an activation code/number when I used the restore
CD.
This whole situation is greatly complicated bacause we are in a long
distance marriage. My job transfered some years ago. I was last home
memorial day week (re-did her system then bringing my 80gb after her HD
crashed).
Thought everything was fine but some weeks later it the configuration change
showed up. I really was not the one to fix it. I got my oldest son who is an
Electrical Engineer working for Boeing in St Louis to go there and do it
again. (Took forever to get him to come over and do that). My wife came here
for 4 July week. This last week (labor day) I would normally have gone there
but she wanted to go to Florida. She flew to Orlando and I drove there and
picked here up. I will not be back there till Thanksgiving. (BTW, "there" is
SW Illinois across from St Louis and here is Asheville NC, it's ~600 miles).
My son is a pain in the a** (He lives SW of St Louis about 40 miles away and
he told his mom it can wait till I get there for Thanksgiving). I've decided
to try and instruct my wife over the phone how to resore it (could lead to a
divorce, wives never listen to their husbands (;-)), BUT, I want to solve
this "configuration change" problem first.
BTW, my wife told me she wants a new computer (laptop) for Xmax/Chanukkah
(;-). I've already been doing a little looking around.

"mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:xeDUe.5594$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Few weeks.
> It works fine for a while then stops and just displays configuration
> change.
>
>
> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi,
>>
>> Define "a while". 10 minutes? A few days? Weeks? Activation (not
>> registration) would not be hamstrung by changing the hard drive. I doubt
>> that it has anything to do with it. If it did, it would occur during
>> installation, not at a later time. I would also run a drive diagnostic,
>> as the 80GB may be dying as well.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>
>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:KBAUe.35387$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system to browse
>>> the internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my system I had a 120 &
>>> 80 gb drive. So I bought a new 250gb drive at Sam's for $119 and
>>> installed it in my system and gave her my 80gb. Her system only has a
>>> system restore CD. So I redid everything. Put it back to as it was when
>>> new but with this "hand-me-down" HD. That worked for a while but then it
>>> stopped booting and only showed "configuration change". So I did it
>>> again. Once again it lasted for a while then did the same thing. So I
>>> assume this has to do with their registration BS. Of course it down't
>>> say anything like that. It doesn't say to contact MS or anything. So how
>>> do I fix it? I know when I used the restore disk it didn't ask for a
>>> product key. So how do I get it reregisterd?
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Hi,

So when precisely does the "configuration change" message appear? During
normal use? Or at boot up? Is this all there is to the message? It could be
as simple as some piece of installed software.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:xeDUe.5594$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Few weeks.
> It works fine for a while then stops and just displays configuration
> change.
>
>
> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi,
>>
>> Define "a while". 10 minutes? A few days? Weeks? Activation (not
>> registration) would not be hamstrung by changing the hard drive. I doubt
>> that it has anything to do with it. If it did, it would occur during
>> installation, not at a later time. I would also run a drive diagnostic,
>> as the 80GB may be dying as well.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>
>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:KBAUe.35387$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system to browse
>>> the internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my system I had a 120 &
>>> 80 gb drive. So I bought a new 250gb drive at Sam's for $119 and
>>> installed it in my system and gave her my 80gb. Her system only has a
>>> system restore CD. So I redid everything. Put it back to as it was when
>>> new but with this "hand-me-down" HD. That worked for a while but then it
>>> stopped booting and only showed "configuration change". So I did it
>>> again. Once again it lasted for a while then did the same thing. So I
>>> assume this has to do with their registration BS. Of course it down't
>>> say anything like that. It doesn't say to contact MS or anything. So how
>>> do I fix it? I know when I used the restore disk it didn't ask for a
>>> product key. So how do I get it reregisterd?
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Boot up. All she gets is a dos type message.
Booting in safe mode doesn't help. Same message.
You know with the usual prompts for safe mode or normal boot.

"Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> So when precisely does the "configuration change" message appear? During
> normal use? Or at boot up? Is this all there is to the message? It could
> be as simple as some piece of installed software.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:xeDUe.5594$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Few weeks.
>> It works fine for a while then stops and just displays configuration
>> change.
>>
>>
>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Define "a while". 10 minutes? A few days? Weeks? Activation (not
>>> registration) would not be hamstrung by changing the hard drive. I doubt
>>> that it has anything to do with it. If it did, it would occur during
>>> installation, not at a later time. I would also run a drive diagnostic,
>>> as the 80GB may be dying as well.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Best of Luck,
>>>
>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>>
>>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:KBAUe.35387$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system to browse
>>>> the internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my system I had a 120
>>>> & 80 gb drive. So I bought a new 250gb drive at Sam's for $119 and
>>>> installed it in my system and gave her my 80gb. Her system only has a
>>>> system restore CD. So I redid everything. Put it back to as it was when
>>>> new but with this "hand-me-down" HD. That worked for a while but then
>>>> it stopped booting and only showed "configuration change". So I did it
>>>> again. Once again it lasted for a while then did the same thing. So I
>>>> assume this has to do with their registration BS. Of course it down't
>>>> say anything like that. It doesn't say to contact MS or anything. So
>>>> how do I fix it? I know when I used the restore disk it didn't ask for
>>>> a product key. So how do I get it reregisterd?
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Boot up. All she gets is a dos type message.
Booting in safe mode doesn't help. Same message.
You know with the usual prompts for safe mode or normal boot.

"Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> So when precisely does the "configuration change" message appear? During
> normal use? Or at boot up? Is this all there is to the message? It could
> be as simple as some piece of installed software.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:xeDUe.5594$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Few weeks.
>> It works fine for a while then stops and just displays configuration
>> change.
>>
>>
>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Define "a while". 10 minutes? A few days? Weeks? Activation (not
>>> registration) would not be hamstrung by changing the hard drive. I doubt
>>> that it has anything to do with it. If it did, it would occur during
>>> installation, not at a later time. I would also run a drive diagnostic,
>>> as the 80GB may be dying as well.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Best of Luck,
>>>
>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>>
>>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:KBAUe.35387$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system to browse
>>>> the internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my system I had a 120
>>>> & 80 gb drive. So I bought a new 250gb drive at Sam's for $119 and
>>>> installed it in my system and gave her my 80gb. Her system only has a
>>>> system restore CD. So I redid everything. Put it back to as it was when
>>>> new but with this "hand-me-down" HD. That worked for a while but then
>>>> it stopped booting and only showed "configuration change". So I did it
>>>> again. Once again it lasted for a while then did the same thing. So I
>>>> assume this has to do with their registration BS. Of course it down't
>>>> say anything like that. It doesn't say to contact MS or anything. So
>>>> how do I fix it? I know when I used the restore disk it didn't ask for
>>>> a product key. So how do I get it reregisterd?
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

And you are sure she's not adding any software/hardware to the system? Is
that all there is to the error message?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
newsKKUe.1972$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Boot up. All she gets is a dos type message.
> Booting in safe mode doesn't help. Same message.
> You know with the usual prompts for safe mode or normal boot.
>
> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Hi,
>>
>> So when precisely does the "configuration change" message appear? During
>> normal use? Or at boot up? Is this all there is to the message? It could
>> be as simple as some piece of installed software.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>
>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:xeDUe.5594$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Few weeks.
>>> It works fine for a while then stops and just displays configuration
>>> change.
>>>
>>>
>>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> Define "a while". 10 minutes? A few days? Weeks? Activation (not
>>>> registration) would not be hamstrung by changing the hard drive. I
>>>> doubt that it has anything to do with it. If it did, it would occur
>>>> during installation, not at a later time. I would also run a drive
>>>> diagnostic, as the 80GB may be dying as well.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Best of Luck,
>>>>
>>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>>>
>>>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:KBAUe.35387$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system to
>>>>> browse the internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my system I
>>>>> had a 120 & 80 gb drive. So I bought a new 250gb drive at Sam's for
>>>>> $119 and installed it in my system and gave her my 80gb. Her system
>>>>> only has a system restore CD. So I redid everything. Put it back to as
>>>>> it was when new but with this "hand-me-down" HD. That worked for a
>>>>> while but then it stopped booting and only showed "configuration
>>>>> change". So I did it again. Once again it lasted for a while then did
>>>>> the same thing. So I assume this has to do with their registration BS.
>>>>> Of course it down't say anything like that. It doesn't say to contact
>>>>> MS or anything. So how do I fix it? I know when I used the restore
>>>>> disk it didn't ask for a product key. So how do I get it reregisterd?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

My wife has no idea how to add software or hardware. I'm convinced it's a
product activation thing.

The first time I redid everything after adding the HD (I was back in
Illinois the full week of memorial day) I decided to add MS Antispyware
later in the week (yes, she's running Antivirus & Firewall software).
I have arthritis in my lower back and right knee. I use a cane and they want
to do a knee replacement. I also use reading glasses. I was gradually
restoring all software and settings (look and feel) to make things easy for
her. When I went to the website it said I needed the product key from either
the install disk or from the label on the machine. Her machine is a 933mhz
emachine. The activation code was not on the install disk. It was at night
in a partially darkened room.
It was hard enough getting down, pulling all off all the cables on that
stupid machine and taking it to a table the first day I was there to replace
the HD. (Wife had to carry it. Back is so bad I couldn't. Plus with use of
cane I only have one hand to use. If it doesn't have a handle and I can't
get my left arm around it securely I can't carry it).
Anyway, I wasn't about to try and lower myself to the floor and try to read
some stupid product code in a darkened room so I just cancelled out of the
install. As I said I'm convinced it's a product key problem. If I try to
talk her through another re-install how do I tell her how to make sure the
product key is installed? I suppose I could try to talk her through going to
MS to get the antispyware. It asked for the product key. (Wow, just the
thought of directing her by phone on doing something like that has divorce
all over it).

"Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> And you are sure she's not adding any software/hardware to the system? Is
> that all there is to the error message?
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> newsKKUe.1972$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Boot up. All she gets is a dos type message.
>> Booting in safe mode doesn't help. Same message.
>> You know with the usual prompts for safe mode or normal boot.
>>
>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> So when precisely does the "configuration change" message appear? During
>>> normal use? Or at boot up? Is this all there is to the message? It could
>>> be as simple as some piece of installed software.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Best of Luck,
>>>
>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>>
>>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:xeDUe.5594$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> Few weeks.
>>>> It works fine for a while then stops and just displays configuration
>>>> change.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> Define "a while". 10 minutes? A few days? Weeks? Activation (not
>>>>> registration) would not be hamstrung by changing the hard drive. I
>>>>> doubt that it has anything to do with it. If it did, it would occur
>>>>> during installation, not at a later time. I would also run a drive
>>>>> diagnostic, as the 80GB may be dying as well.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Best of Luck,
>>>>>
>>>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>>>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>>>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>>>>
>>>>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:KBAUe.35387$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>> OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system to
>>>>>> browse the internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my system I
>>>>>> had a 120 & 80 gb drive. So I bought a new 250gb drive at Sam's for
>>>>>> $119 and installed it in my system and gave her my 80gb. Her system
>>>>>> only has a system restore CD. So I redid everything. Put it back to
>>>>>> as it was when new but with this "hand-me-down" HD. That worked for a
>>>>>> while but then it stopped booting and only showed "configuration
>>>>>> change". So I did it again. Once again it lasted for a while then did
>>>>>> the same thing. So I assume this has to do with their registration
>>>>>> BS. Of course it down't say anything like that. It doesn't say to
>>>>>> contact MS or anything. So how do I fix it? I know when I used the
>>>>>> restore disk it didn't ask for a product key. So how do I get it
>>>>>> reregisterd?
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

If it was a "product activation thing", then the message would read that the
product needs to be activated or reactivated and she would be given a prompt
to follow through with the steps offering a choice of internet activation or
phone activation, not locked on a "configuration change" screen. Even if she
declined to activate, she would be booted to safe mode, and not blocked from
the system. Configuration change on a black screen says that something in
the system has changed, or is being interpreted as being changed. It may be
something as simple as a CMOS battery failure where the BIOS no longer
retains the settings and reverts to defaults whenever the system is powered
off, this could be interpreted as a configuration change.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:qDUUe.29357$(E-Mail Removed)...
> My wife has no idea how to add software or hardware. I'm convinced it's a
> product activation thing.
>
> The first time I redid everything after adding the HD (I was back in
> Illinois the full week of memorial day) I decided to add MS Antispyware
> later in the week (yes, she's running Antivirus & Firewall software).
> I have arthritis in my lower back and right knee. I use a cane and they
> want to do a knee replacement. I also use reading glasses. I was gradually
> restoring all software and settings (look and feel) to make things easy
> for her. When I went to the website it said I needed the product key from
> either the install disk or from the label on the machine. Her machine is a
> 933mhz emachine. The activation code was not on the install disk. It was
> at night in a partially darkened room.
> It was hard enough getting down, pulling all off all the cables on that
> stupid machine and taking it to a table the first day I was there to
> replace the HD. (Wife had to carry it. Back is so bad I couldn't. Plus
> with use of cane I only have one hand to use. If it doesn't have a handle
> and I can't get my left arm around it securely I can't carry it).
> Anyway, I wasn't about to try and lower myself to the floor and try to
> read some stupid product code in a darkened room so I just cancelled out
> of the install. As I said I'm convinced it's a product key problem. If I
> try to talk her through another re-install how do I tell her how to make
> sure the product key is installed? I suppose I could try to talk her
> through going to MS to get the antispyware. It asked for the product key.
> (Wow, just the thought of directing her by phone on doing something like
> that has divorce all over it).
>
> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> And you are sure she's not adding any software/hardware to the system? Is
>> that all there is to the error message?
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>
>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> newsKKUe.1972$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> Boot up. All she gets is a dos type message.
>>> Booting in safe mode doesn't help. Same message.
>>> You know with the usual prompts for safe mode or normal boot.
>>>
>>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> So when precisely does the "configuration change" message appear?
>>>> During normal use? Or at boot up? Is this all there is to the message?
>>>> It could be as simple as some piece of installed software.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Best of Luck,
>>>>
>>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>>>
>>>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>> news:xeDUe.5594$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>> Few weeks.
>>>>> It works fine for a while then stops and just displays configuration
>>>>> change.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Define "a while". 10 minutes? A few days? Weeks? Activation (not
>>>>>> registration) would not be hamstrung by changing the hard drive. I
>>>>>> doubt that it has anything to do with it. If it did, it would occur
>>>>>> during installation, not at a later time. I would also run a drive
>>>>>> diagnostic, as the 80GB may be dying as well.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Best of Luck,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>>>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>>>>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>>>>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>>>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "mcl" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:KBAUe.35387$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>>>>> OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system to
>>>>>>> browse the internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my system I
>>>>>>> had a 120 & 80 gb drive. So I bought a new 250gb drive at Sam's for
>>>>>>> $119 and installed it in my system and gave her my 80gb. Her system
>>>>>>> only has a system restore CD. So I redid everything. Put it back to
>>>>>>> as it was when new but with this "hand-me-down" HD. That worked for
>>>>>>> a while but then it stopped booting and only showed "configuration
>>>>>>> change". So I did it again. Once again it lasted for a while then
>>>>>>> did the same thing. So I assume this has to do with their
>>>>>>> registration BS. Of course it down't say anything like that. It
>>>>>>> doesn't say to contact MS or anything. So how do I fix it? I know
>>>>>>> when I used the restore disk it didn't ask for a product key. So how
>>>>>>> do I get it reregisterd?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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