eMachine XP Home activation issue

[Richard]

I have an eMachine computer running XP Home. I just replaced the
motherboard that failed with a motherboard that has the same chipset,
but adds usb2.0 support. I started the computer in safe mode to let
Windows find the new hardware. I then restarted, selected my account and
was faced with a screen asking me if I want to activate Windows. Since
it had already been activated I selected "NO" and proceeded. Right back
to the logon screen. I selected my account, went to the screen asking me
if I want to activate my copy of Windows, selected "YES" and went to the
"Activate Windows" screen where I was told that Windows had already been
activated. When I pressed "OK" I went back to the logon screen and into
what seems to be an activation loop. Should I be doing a repair install?
Thanks.
Richard

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If Windows XP was preinstalled by eMachine and you
did not replace the defective motherboard with the exact
eMachine replacement, your eMachine version of Windows
XP is not going to activate since it is looking for the same BIOS.
All you can do is to purchase a conventional "Full Version" of
Windows XP and proceed with a "Repair Install".

A preinstalled OEM version of Windows XP cannot be used
with a different type of motherboard. The license is tied to
a specific motherboard model and BIOS and cannot be transferred.

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

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

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:

| I have an eMachine computer running XP Home. I just replaced the
| motherboard that failed with a motherboard that has the same chipset,
| but adds usb2.0 support. I started the computer in safe mode to let
| Windows find the new hardware. I then restarted, selected my account and
| was faced with a screen asking me if I want to activate Windows. Since
| it had already been activated I selected "NO" and proceeded. Right back
| to the logon screen. I selected my account, went to the screen asking me
| if I want to activate my copy of Windows, selected "YES" and went to the
| "Activate Windows" screen where I was told that Windows had already been
| activated. When I pressed "OK" I went back to the logon screen and into
| what seems to be an activation loop. Should I be doing a repair install?
| Thanks.
| Richard

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Reboot to Safe Mode:
Reboot tapping F8 each second.
Select Safe Mode at the menu

Start/Run
Type "regsvr32.exe regwizc.dll" ENTER
Type "regsvr32.exe licdll.dll" ENTER

Reboot.
Activate again
Reboot

Otherwise a Repair Installation may be necessary.

Are you using the original Emachines CDs?
Is the replacement motherboard also from Emachine?
The original CD probably will not work with a motherboard that is not from
Emachines.

 

[Alias]

If Windows XP was preinstalled by eMachine and you
did not replace the defective motherboard with the exact
eMachine replacement, your eMachine version of Windows
XP is not going to activate since it is looking for the same BIOS.
All you can do is to purchase a conventional "Full Version" of
Windows XP and proceed with a "Repair Install".

The OP can also buy a generic OEM and do a clean install.

Alias

 

[Richard]

Thanks for the reply and suggestions. The run commands didn't work. Next
I'll try a repair install, but I'm thinking that I'll be needing a new
Windows to install.
Richard