Clean reinstal -> can't activate

[Ottar Holstad]

Hi, I have a Acer Aspire 1641 notebook that came with Windows XP Home
edition. Windows was installed automatically from some ghosting-software the
first time the computer was started. I only had to chose the language I
wanted to install, english or norwegian, of which I selected english. The
computer came without any media at all, but I do have that small green
booklet from Microsoft and the product key sticker.

Since I didn't have any media, I figured that one of the Windows XP Home
CD's I have at work would do. I booted from this CD, deleted all partitions,
formated a new partition, and installed a norwegian-language Windows XP
Home. Now, when I try to activate Windows, using the product key that came
with the machine, it won't recognise the key.

What am I doing wrong here? I thought the product key that came with the
machine would work with any Windows XP Home media. Is the product key that
came with the Acer valid only with OEM media?

At work we have some kind of subscription on Microsoft software, Action Pack
I think it's called. Should I be able to find media that will work with my
product key among these disks, or do I have to cantact Acer about this?

 

[Ottar Holstad]

...All the Acers I've seen in

the last few years have prompted you to create physical restore media
as soon as you set them up and they continue to prompt you for quite a
while.

Yup, I ignored it. The original instalation-software automatically installed
FAT32, and since I didn't want that next time around (now) I thought I
wouldn't need this restore media...

...you can clean-install Windows with a generic XP Home OEM disk. You will
need to call Microsoft to activate.

If I understand you correctly, there are two kinds of OEM media; one generic
and one made for Acer. If I can get hold of media made for Acer, I can use
my product key. If I can only get hold of generic OEM media, I have to call
Microsft to get nes keys. Right?

 

[Guest]

I dont get the "Deleting All partitions" but, The instillation sonds OK...
You sholda re-install with out deleting the partition. Trust me... I been
around with Windows ALONG TIME... But it should work fine...

 

[Ottar Holstad]

I dont get the "Deleting All partitions" but, The instillation sonds OK...

The ghost-installer created two partitions. I know that it's good for
performance to separate the OS installation and data, but this computer only
has 60GB HD and then I think it's better to have only one partition anyway.
OK?

You sholda re-install with out deleting the partition. Trust me... I been
around with Windows ALONG TIME... But it should work fine...

Are you saying that using a Acer OEM product key on a generic OEM install
should work fine?

(of course you are not, you get a cheap thrill out of pretending you know
this stuff)

 

[Frank]

Yup, I ignored it. The original instalation-software automatically
installed FAT32, and since I didn't want that next time around (now) I
thought I wouldn't need this restore media...


If I understand you correctly, there are two kinds of OEM media; one
generic and one made for Acer. If I can get hold of media made for
Acer, I can use my product key. If I can only get hold of generic OEM
media, I have to call Microsft to get nes keys. Right?

 

[Malke]

Yup, I ignored it. The original instalation-software automatically
installed FAT32, and since I didn't want that next time around (now) I
thought I wouldn't need this restore media...


If I understand you correctly, there are two kinds of OEM media; one
generic and one made for Acer. If I can get hold of media made for
Acer, I can use my product key. If I can only get hold of generic OEM
media, I have to call Microsft to get nes keys. Right?

No, this is not correct. You will use the product key on the Acer for
your installation with the generic XP Home OEM. However, you'll need to
call Microsoft to activate instead of using the "activate on line"
option. Certainly I would *try* the online option first, but MS changed
the rules for activating generic OEM installs quite a while ago.

The Acer restore process will not require you to activate because it has
already been done by Acer.

Malke

 

[Malke]

The ghost-installer created two partitions. I know that it's good for
performance to separate the OS installation and data, but this
computer only has 60GB HD and then I think it's better to have only
one partition anyway. OK?


Are you saying that using a Acer OEM product key on a generic OEM
install should work fine?

(of course you are not, you get a cheap thrill out of pretending you
know this stuff)

See my previous answer - yes, you will use your Acer OEM product key
with the generic OEM install disk.

Malke

 

[Ottar Holstad]

No, this is not correct. You will use the product key on the Acer for

your installation with the generic XP Home OEM. However, you'll need to
call Microsoft to activate instead of using the "activate on line"
option. Certainly I would *try* the online option first, but MS changed
the rules for activating generic OEM installs quite a while ago.

Ok, never thought about that. Thanks!

 

[Malke]

Ok, never thought about that. Thanks!

I thought about this further while getting ready for the day. I've been
approaching this like a tech - and I do this all the time for clients
who don't have restore/installation disks. Here's a bit more info that
I hope will help you:

1. Contact Acer and get physical restore disks. This is the best option
because those disks will have drivers, specialized laptop software, and
preinstalled software. In this case, you'll just boot with the restore
disks and everything will be taken care of re the activation.

2. Borrow a generic OEM XP Home from a friend who is a tech or if your
techs at work have it. In this case, install using the Acer Product Key
on the bottom of the laptop since you won't have an additional Product
Key. After the install, you'll need to go to Acer's tech support
website for your specific model machine and get the drivers and any
specialized laptop software, and any third-party software they make
available to you. There may be none. You will need to call MS to
activate the machine.

3. Buy a generic OEM XP Home if the price is good (see #4 below). I
would still use the Acer Product Key and save the OEM Product Key in
case you wanted to install on another generic PC. Even if you use the
generic OEM Product Key instead of the Acer's, you'll need to call MS
to activate. After the install, you'll need to go to Acer's tech
support website for your specific model machine and get the drivers and
any specialized laptop software, and any third-party software they make
available to you. There may be none.

4. Buy a full retail XP Home and use that Product Key. When the Acer
dies, you can use the retail Product Key on another machine (OEM's are
tied to the first hardware on which they are installed so the Acer Key
dies with the machine). After the install, you'll need to go to Acer's
tech support website for your specific model machine and get the
drivers and any specialized laptop software, and any third-party
software they make available to you. There may be none. You will be
able to activate online.

HTH,

Malke