Can not activate XP Home

[Guest]

My Dell Dimension 4300 crapped out so I built another system. I can load XP
Home on it but it did not ask for the Product ID Code when I loaded it, and
now when I try to activate it it won't do it. I called the 800 number in the
activation screen, read them the group of numbers and they say it's was bad.
My question: Do I have to buy another copy of XP Home? Why can't I use the
copy I got with my Dell PC?

I know it's not a hardware problem because I can still use the PC, modem,
Ethernet card, network...everything works fine except I can't activate it.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Your original Dell Product Key (license) can only be used
with the original Dell PC hardware, especially the Dell motherboard.
Only thing you can do now is to purchase a "Full Version"
of Windows XP and proceed with a "Repair Install" using
the new Windows XP CD and Product Key.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with XP Installed
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| My Dell Dimension 4300 crapped out so I built another system. I can load XP
| Home on it but it did not ask for the Product ID Code when I loaded it, and
| now when I try to activate it it won't do it. I called the 800 number in the
| activation screen, read them the group of numbers and they say it's was bad.
| My question: Do I have to buy another copy of XP Home? Why can't I use the
| copy I got with my Dell PC?
|
| I know it's not a hardware problem because I can still use the PC, modem,
| Ethernet card, network...everything works fine except I can't activate it.
| --
| "Pain heals...Chicks dig scars...Glory last forever." - Shane Falco

 

[Bruce Chambers]

My Dell Dimension 4300 crapped out so I built another system. I can
load XP Home on it but it did not ask for the Product ID Code when I
loaded it, and now when I try to activate it it won't do it. I
called
the 800 number in the activation screen, read them the group of
numbers and they say it's was bad. My question: Do I have to buy
another copy of XP Home? Why can't I use the copy I got with my Dell
PC?

I know it's not a hardware problem because I can still use the PC,
modem, Ethernet card, network...everything works fine except I can't
activate it. --
"Pain heals...Chicks dig scars...Glory last forever." - Shane Falco

You have an OEM license. An OEM version must be sold with a piece
of hardware (normally a motherboard or hard rive, if not an entire PC)
and is permanently bound to the first PC on which it's installed. An
OEM license, once installed, is not legally transferable to another
computer under any circumstances. You can remove or replace it, if
you like, but you can neither reuse it on a different computer or
resell it. This lack of transferability is the primary reason OEM
licenses cost so much less than retail licenses: you get what you pay
for.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Alex Nichol]

My Dell Dimension 4300 crapped out so I built another system. I can load XP
Home on it but it did not ask for the Product ID Code when I loaded it, and
now when I try to activate it it won't do it. I called the 800 number in the
activation screen, read them the group of numbers and they say it's was bad.
My question: Do I have to buy another copy of XP Home? Why can't I use the
copy I got with my Dell PC?

One that came installed 'OEM' on a machine like your Dell was licensed
solely as part of that machine and dies with it. It may not be
transferred to another. You will have to buy a separate copy for the
new one

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Bruce and Carey,
Thanks for the info. That was what I was afraid of. Your replies
helped me out.

Sman88

You're welcome.

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having
both at once. - RAH