L
Leythos
After you upgrade the BIOS, re-active via PHONE and MS will give you a
new key.
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After you upgrade the BIOS, re-active via PHONE and MS will give you a
new key.
G
Guest
I'm helping a friend who is using Win XP Home Edition, an OEM edition that
was loaded at the factory. No CD was shipped with the unit, and we don't
have access to the XP KEY. This is an eMachines W2260. We went to Control
Panel/System and wrote down the registration number, but that's all we have.
We recently attempted to install an ATI graphics card and found out that we
needed to upgrade the BIOS first. The BIOS upgrade went fine, but when we
try to boot Windows and get to the login screen, click "JOE" (my friend) who
is the only user on this PC, we get a message saying that we must activate
this copy of windows, Y/N. When we click YES, a message comes back saying
the copy is already activated and proceeds to log JOE off. When you try it
again, the same thing happens. We were told that upgrading the BIOS might
require us to enter the XP KEY when prompted for activation, but we have not
found that to be the case. We reverted back to the old BIOS and we're back
to where we started without the new graphics card.
I'm having trouble understanding why something as common as a BIOS upgrade
would create this problem. I know MS wants to curb piracy, but this is
little ridiculous IMHO.
Do you have any suggestions or references that you can point us to that
would help resolve this without having to purchase another license?
Thanks in advance.
was loaded at the factory. No CD was shipped with the unit, and we don't
have access to the XP KEY. This is an eMachines W2260. We went to Control
Panel/System and wrote down the registration number, but that's all we have.
We recently attempted to install an ATI graphics card and found out that we
needed to upgrade the BIOS first. The BIOS upgrade went fine, but when we
try to boot Windows and get to the login screen, click "JOE" (my friend) who
is the only user on this PC, we get a message saying that we must activate
this copy of windows, Y/N. When we click YES, a message comes back saying
the copy is already activated and proceeds to log JOE off. When you try it
again, the same thing happens. We were told that upgrading the BIOS might
require us to enter the XP KEY when prompted for activation, but we have not
found that to be the case. We reverted back to the old BIOS and we're back
to where we started without the new graphics card.
I'm having trouble understanding why something as common as a BIOS upgrade
would create this problem. I know MS wants to curb piracy, but this is
little ridiculous IMHO.
Do you have any suggestions or references that you can point us to that
would help resolve this without having to purchase another license?
Thanks in advance.
G
Guest
Can you provide the best phone number to reach MS for this request?
C
Carey Frisch [MVP]
eMachine Live Technical Assistance
http://www.emachines.com/support/tech_support.html
--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:
| I'm helping a friend who is using Win XP Home Edition, an OEM edition that
| was loaded at the factory. No CD was shipped with the unit, and we don't
| have access to the XP KEY. This is an eMachines W2260. We went to Control
| Panel/System and wrote down the registration number, but that's all we have.
|
| We recently attempted to install an ATI graphics card and found out that we
| needed to upgrade the BIOS first. The BIOS upgrade went fine, but when we
| try to boot Windows and get to the login screen, click "JOE" (my friend) who
| is the only user on this PC, we get a message saying that we must activate
| this copy of windows, Y/N. When we click YES, a message comes back saying
| the copy is already activated and proceeds to log JOE off. When you try it
| again, the same thing happens. We were told that upgrading the BIOS might
| require us to enter the XP KEY when prompted for activation, but we have not
| found that to be the case. We reverted back to the old BIOS and we're back
| to where we started without the new graphics card.
|
| I'm having trouble understanding why something as common as a BIOS upgrade
| would create this problem. I know MS wants to curb piracy, but this is
| little ridiculous IMHO.
|
| Do you have any suggestions or references that you can point us to that
| would help resolve this without having to purchase another license?
|
| Thanks in advance.
http://www.emachines.com/support/tech_support.html
--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:
| I'm helping a friend who is using Win XP Home Edition, an OEM edition that
| was loaded at the factory. No CD was shipped with the unit, and we don't
| have access to the XP KEY. This is an eMachines W2260. We went to Control
| Panel/System and wrote down the registration number, but that's all we have.
|
| We recently attempted to install an ATI graphics card and found out that we
| needed to upgrade the BIOS first. The BIOS upgrade went fine, but when we
| try to boot Windows and get to the login screen, click "JOE" (my friend) who
| is the only user on this PC, we get a message saying that we must activate
| this copy of windows, Y/N. When we click YES, a message comes back saying
| the copy is already activated and proceeds to log JOE off. When you try it
| again, the same thing happens. We were told that upgrading the BIOS might
| require us to enter the XP KEY when prompted for activation, but we have not
| found that to be the case. We reverted back to the old BIOS and we're back
| to where we started without the new graphics card.
|
| I'm having trouble understanding why something as common as a BIOS upgrade
| would create this problem. I know MS wants to curb piracy, but this is
| little ridiculous IMHO.
|
| Do you have any suggestions or references that you can point us to that
| would help resolve this without having to purchase another license?
|
| Thanks in advance.
H
Harry Ohrn
This is likely not a Microsoft issue so much as an e-machine issue. It is
probable that the version of XP installed on the system by e-Machine is BIOS
locked. That decision would be made by e-Machine not Microsoft. Contact them
for ways to circumvent this.
--
Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
| I'm helping a friend who is using Win XP Home Edition, an OEM edition that
| was loaded at the factory. No CD was shipped with the unit, and we don't
| have access to the XP KEY. This is an eMachines W2260. We went to Control
| Panel/System and wrote down the registration number, but that's all we
have.
|
| We recently attempted to install an ATI graphics card and found out that
we
| needed to upgrade the BIOS first. The BIOS upgrade went fine, but when we
| try to boot Windows and get to the login screen, click "JOE" (my friend)
who
| is the only user on this PC, we get a message saying that we must activate
| this copy of windows, Y/N. When we click YES, a message comes back saying
| the copy is already activated and proceeds to log JOE off. When you try
it
| again, the same thing happens. We were told that upgrading the BIOS might
| require us to enter the XP KEY when prompted for activation, but we have
not
| found that to be the case. We reverted back to the old BIOS and we're
back
| to where we started without the new graphics card.
|
| I'm having trouble understanding why something as common as a BIOS upgrade
| would create this problem. I know MS wants to curb piracy, but this is
| little ridiculous IMHO.
|
| Do you have any suggestions or references that you can point us to that
| would help resolve this without having to purchase another license?
|
| Thanks in advance.
|
probable that the version of XP installed on the system by e-Machine is BIOS
locked. That decision would be made by e-Machine not Microsoft. Contact them
for ways to circumvent this.
--
Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp
| I'm helping a friend who is using Win XP Home Edition, an OEM edition that
| was loaded at the factory. No CD was shipped with the unit, and we don't
| have access to the XP KEY. This is an eMachines W2260. We went to Control
| Panel/System and wrote down the registration number, but that's all we
have.
|
| We recently attempted to install an ATI graphics card and found out that
we
| needed to upgrade the BIOS first. The BIOS upgrade went fine, but when we
| try to boot Windows and get to the login screen, click "JOE" (my friend)
who
| is the only user on this PC, we get a message saying that we must activate
| this copy of windows, Y/N. When we click YES, a message comes back saying
| the copy is already activated and proceeds to log JOE off. When you try
it
| again, the same thing happens. We were told that upgrading the BIOS might
| require us to enter the XP KEY when prompted for activation, but we have
not
| found that to be the case. We reverted back to the old BIOS and we're
back
| to where we started without the new graphics card.
|
| I'm having trouble understanding why something as common as a BIOS upgrade
| would create this problem. I know MS wants to curb piracy, but this is
| little ridiculous IMHO.
|
| Do you have any suggestions or references that you can point us to that
| would help resolve this without having to purchase another license?
|
| Thanks in advance.
|
C
Colin M. McGroarty
If you select the activate by phone option you will be provided with a phone
number.
Kind Regards,
number.
Kind Regards,
N
NobodyMan
I'm helping a friend who is using Win XP Home Edition, an OEM edition that
was loaded at the factory. No CD was shipped with the unit, and we don't
have access to the XP KEY. This is an eMachines W2260. We went to Control
Panel/System and wrote down the registration number, but that's all we have.
We recently attempted to install an ATI graphics card and found out that we
needed to upgrade the BIOS first. The BIOS upgrade went fine, but when we
try to boot Windows and get to the login screen, click "JOE" (my friend) who
is the only user on this PC, we get a message saying that we must activate
this copy of windows, Y/N. When we click YES, a message comes back saying
the copy is already activated and proceeds to log JOE off. When you try it
again, the same thing happens. We were told that upgrading the BIOS might
require us to enter the XP KEY when prompted for activation, but we have not
found that to be the case. We reverted back to the old BIOS and we're back
to where we started without the new graphics card.
I'm having trouble understanding why something as common as a BIOS upgrade
would create this problem. I know MS wants to curb piracy, but this is
little ridiculous IMHO.
Do you have any suggestions or references that you can point us to that
would help resolve this without having to purchase another license?
Thanks in advance.
You probably won't get much help.
E-Machines are very protective of their systems. By changing the
Video Card, you have altered the machine they sold your friend. The
same goes for upgrading the BIOS. If this machine was under warranty,
it isn't any longer.
MS won't provide support, as the OS loaded is of the OEM variety and
support for that falls to E-machine. E-machine no longer is obligated
to help as you have changed the configuration of the box, voiding any
technical support they have to provide.
Good luck fixing this. Welcome to the load of folks that have
discovered just how e-Machine saves money in their computers - by
limiting what you can do and expect any support.
T
Troll
NobodyMan said:You probably won't get much help.
E-Machines are very protective of their systems. By changing the
Video Card, you have altered the machine they sold your friend. The
same goes for upgrading the BIOS. If this machine was under warranty,
it isn't any longer.
MS won't provide support, as the OS loaded is of the OEM variety and
support for that falls to E-machine. E-machine no longer is obligated
to help as you have changed the configuration of the box, voiding any
technical support they have to provide.
Good luck fixing this. Welcome to the load of folks that have
discovered just how e-Machine saves money in their computers - by
limiting what you can do and expect any support.
Where did you get the BIOS upgrade? If you actually got it from
eMachines, then you should call them to get help. If you got it
elsewhere, you're hosed. The copy of XP installed (and on the CD... all
eMachines PCs in my experience come with at least a restore CD set to
re-load the factory OS load) is BIOS locked. If you used some kind of
3rd party upgrade or an upgrade from the BIOS or chipset manufacturer,
you're screwed unless you can somehow revert back to the original BIOS.
A
Alex Nichol
JohnnyG said:We recently attempted to install an ATI graphics card and found out that we
needed to upgrade the BIOS first. The BIOS upgrade went fine, but when we
try to boot Windows and get to the login screen, click "JOE" (my friend) who
is the only user on this PC, we get a message saying that we must activate
this copy of windows, Y/N. When we click YES, a message comes back saying
the copy is already activated and proceeds to log JOE off. When you try it
again, the same thing happens. We were told that upgrading the BIOS might
require us to enter the XP KEY when prompted for activation, but we have not
found that to be the case. We reverted back to the old BIOS and we're back
to where we started without the new graphics card.
I'm having trouble understanding why something as common as a BIOS upgrade
would create this problem. I know MS wants to curb piracy, but this is
little ridiculous IMHO.
It is because such preinstalled systems are handled by a different
method through a 'BIOS lock'. You can change all other hardware, but
not the BIOS or you lose that lock. You should get a BIOS update from
the original makers, and they should also supply an update to get the
lock set again (if they do not arrange their BIOS updates to maintain
it).
P
Paul J. Hurley
"BOIS lock"? Can you elaborate?
Paul
Paul
It is because such preinstalled systems are handled by a different
method through a 'BIOS lock'. You can change all other hardware, but
T
Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)
HiPaul said:"BOIS lock"? Can you elaborate?
All the larger computer manufacturers use a BIOS locked OS/Product Key.
When the OS installed with e.g. Dells OEM CD/Product Key boots up and
finds a Dell BIOS, it will automatically activate the Windows Product.
P
Paul J. Hurley
That sounds handy, but do they really mean to prevent BIOS upgrades as
well? Surely they have some method to allow for the inevitable BOIS
upgrades?
Paul
well? Surely they have some method to allow for the inevitable BOIS
upgrades?
Paul
T
Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)
HiPaul said:That sounds handy, but do they really mean to prevent BIOS upgrades as
well? Surely they have some method to allow for the inevitable BOIS
upgrades?
As long as the BIOS update comes from the computer manufacturer, there
should be no problems. It is if you have used a 3rd party BIOS update
you will get this re-activation problem.
N
NobodyMan
Where did you get the BIOS upgrade? If you actually got it from
eMachines, then you should call them to get help. If you got it
elsewhere, you're hosed. The copy of XP installed (and on the CD... all
eMachines PCs in my experience come with at least a restore CD set to
re-load the factory OS load) is BIOS locked. If you used some kind of
3rd party upgrade or an upgrade from the BIOS or chipset manufacturer,
you're screwed unless you can somehow revert back to the original BIOS.
Regardless of where the BIOS update came from, by replacing the Video
Card ALL e-Machine support was voided.
I also find it hard to believe that e-Machine has BIOS updates
available for their machines.
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