New Mobo & Product Activation

[Guest]

The mobo in my eMachines computer failed for unknown reasons. The
computer is out of warranty and eMachines wants $149.00 for a replacement
board. Hogwash, I bought a new Chaintech MBM800 for $29.00 (after rebate) at
Tigerdirect.com. I installed the board, and all other hardware (except the
modem), hooked everything up and installed the OEM version of Windows XP - it
operates as advertised, until the Product Activation screen comes on.
I called the Microsoft phone number for activation and after this
process the computer generated voice said something about the number being
invalid and to try reinstalling the software - ok, I did that, tried again to
reactivate - same result. I have every tag, number, CoA, etc. that came with
the original machine (and yes, I am the original purchaser - even have the
receipt with my credit card number on it).
Anyway, all I want is for this computer to work again. This thing won't
even allow me to get past the Activation Screen. I see a lot of discussion
about calling Microsoft, but have yet to find a phone number where I could
talk to a real live person. Any assistance would be appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Your original installation on the HD locks onto your origianl eMachine mobo
and therefore it will not work with your Chaintech board. However your OEM
backup CD and your COA key on machine's chasis should allow you one
activation. And you should be able to activate online instead of going thru
IVR. So you should:
1. Make sure you use the COA key on the chasis
2. If you have wiped your original installation then you will need to
reinstall; but you really should not have to
3. If there is an internet connection then just activate
4. If it fails call the MSFT CSR number and try IVR again. Make sure you
input and output the right numbers to and from IVR.

Thanks!

Ning

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Unless you replace the motherboard with an exact model duplicate,
your eMachine Windows XP OEM license is no longer valid. You'll have
to purchase a conventional "Full Version" of Windows XP and perform
a "Repair Install". Your eMachine OEM license for Windows XP is only
valid with the hardware (especially the motherboard) installed
originally by the manufacturer.

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

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

[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

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

:

| The mobo in my eMachines computer failed for unknown reasons. The
| computer is out of warranty and eMachines wants $149.00 for a replacement
| board. Hogwash, I bought a new Chaintech MBM800 for $29.00 (after rebate) at
| Tigerdirect.com. I installed the board, and all other hardware (except the
| modem), hooked everything up and installed the OEM version of Windows XP - it
| operates as advertised, until the Product Activation screen comes on.
| I called the Microsoft phone number for activation and after this
| process the computer generated voice said something about the number being
| invalid and to try reinstalling the software - ok, I did that, tried again to
| reactivate - same result. I have every tag, number, CoA, etc. that came with
| the original machine (and yes, I am the original purchaser - even have the
| receipt with my credit card number on it).
| Anyway, all I want is for this computer to work again. This thing won't
| even allow me to get past the Activation Screen. I see a lot of discussion
| about calling Microsoft, but have yet to find a phone number where I could
| talk to a real live person. Any assistance would be appreciated.
| --
| Darrell Fransen

 

[Nevets68]

Darell -

If you want to do it on the cheap, goto
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=37-102-153&depa=0
..
Of course you'd have to order a piece of "hardware". Order a cheap ide cable
or something. Hope that helps.

 

[Guest]

Thanks to everyone who responded, but I have great news - I was able to
activate my OEM software. When the activation screen came up there was a box
to change the product key code - I changed the numbers to the numbers on my
CoA, calle MS and everything was verified. They gave me a new code and I was
up and running. I'm happy!