XP Activation - asking to "clean the slate"?

[John Geddes]

As it stands, my PC is OK on its original XP Pro activation - two
items marked as changed since original activation (over a year ago).

Now I want to replace my ATA-133 boot disk with a SATA-150 disk. I can
clone it happily (using Ghost), and boot ONCE into XP, which brings up
a note that some hardware changes will only be recognised if I reboot.

But on rebooting, I get the normal black XP splash screen but then
just a black screen.

I am presuming that this is a Product Activation problem.

Can I call Microsoft and ask them for a new Activation Code for the PC
as it is with the old disk, so that I can then clone the disk without
exceeding the changed-component count?

If so, how do I reach them? I can't run the Activation Wizard from the
old HDD because Xp says ACtivation is fine. And I can't run it from
the new HDD because it is sulking.

Does anyone have the UK phone number for Activation?

John Geddes
England

 

[Bruce Chambers]

As it stands, my PC is OK on its original XP Pro activation - two
items marked as changed since original activation (over a year ago).

Now I want to replace my ATA-133 boot disk with a SATA-150 disk. I can
clone it happily (using Ghost), and boot ONCE into XP, which brings up
a note that some hardware changes will only be recognised if I reboot.

Insert the WinXP installation disk and perform a repair installation.
Be sure to have the drivers for the SATA controller available for
installation.

But on rebooting, I get the normal black XP splash screen but then
just a black screen.

I am presuming that this is a Product Activation problem.

Why would this even occur to you? You haven't successfully booted into
Windows, so there's no way WPA could possibly play a part.





--

Bruce Chambers

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[John Geddes]

Apologies for apparent stupidity. In my defence, I would point out
that if you have never encountered a PC that has had failed the
Product Activation test, you don't know what to look for - so any
abnormality that follows a change of component sends you looking for
information on Product Activation. And there is precious little.

What DOES happen if XP is sulking because it the Activation tests
fail? Does it splash a screen telling you off? Close down? Play
haunting music? There was nothing I could find on MS website or
elsewhere.

Could you advise what I WOULD have seen if Activation HAD been the
problem - so that I can recognise it next time (and in the hope that
others might track this note down in future) and save annoying more
experienced people again.

Many Thanks

John Geddes