Activation bug during OEM XP install

[JohnO]

We're installing WinXP, which goes fine, but when the first login screen
eventually appears a window pops up requiring us to activate. Normally we
get 30 days, right? Problem is, there's no code there if we were to call in,
and naturally the machine can't do it online because there's no NIC driver
yet...we haven't even seen the desktop to this point. There's no way past
this, other than reformat and reinstall. :-(

Last time we had this happen we reformatted the drive and it worked as
expected on the second try. Yesterday, we attempted to install on an
identical copy of the hardware we used last week and the same problem
occurs. Reformat, and it happens again. Any idea why this is happening?

Info: iGoLogic i3899F integrated mobo, Core 2 Duo T5500. OEM Win XP CD.

-John O

 

[Shenan Stanley]

We're installing WinXP, which goes fine, but when the first login
screen eventually appears a window pops up requiring us to
activate. Normally we get 30 days, right? Problem is, there's no
code there if we were to call in, and naturally the machine can't
do it online because there's no NIC driver yet...we haven't even
seen the desktop to this point. There's no way past this, other
than reformat and reinstall. :-(
Last time we had this happen we reformatted the drive and it worked
as expected on the second try. Yesterday, we attempted to install
on an identical copy of the hardware we used last week and the same
problem occurs. Reformat, and it happens again. Any idea why this
is happening?
Info: iGoLogic i3899F integrated mobo, Core 2 Duo T5500. OEM Win XP
CD.

Hoping a second posting fairs better?

This OEM CD you are using - did it come with the system? If so - contact
the makers of said system. If it did not come with the system - is it a
GENERIC OEM installation CD and not one from some name-brand system?

 

[JohnO]

Hoping a second posting fairs better?

This is a different group...so yeah, I am.

This OEM CD you are using - did it come with the system? If so - contact
the makers of said system. If it did not come with the system - is it a
GENERIC OEM installation CD and not one from some name-brand system?

It's a custom system, actually it's a robot, and a brand-new generic OEM CD
pack. We buy these XP packs by the dozens from our regular white box
builder, install them regularly and they always work fine on various mobos,
until now. We've found that if the install is left unattended---as if we
really want to sit there and watch it---it fails as described. If we attend
the installation and click on the options with little delay, it installs
fine.

-John O

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Description of Microsoft Product Activation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302806

How to contact MS product activation center
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929