HELP: why can only activate once? woes :S

[KevinGPO]

I own a Dell laptop and have a OEM Windows XP SP1 CD. Over the weekend I
decided to do a clean/fresh installation of my system because my files were
a bit messy.

After installation I got a message saying, "You have 30 days left to
activate your Windows". So I clicked on it to activate my windows. Then it
says that my CD key had already been activated already. Ofcourse, I remember
activating it long time ago. How can I tell Microsoft that I just did a
fresh/clean installation of my system again and it's me! I'm using my own CD
key from the Windows authentic shiny sticker underneaf my laptop.

What can be done about this?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I own a Dell laptop and have a OEM Windows XP SP1 CD. Over the
weekend I decided to do a clean/fresh installation of my system
because my files were a bit messy.

After installation I got a message saying, "You have 30 days left to
activate your Windows". So I clicked on it to activate my windows.
Then it says that my CD key had already been activated already.
Ofcourse, I remember activating it long time ago. How can I tell
Microsoft that I just did a fresh/clean installation of my system
again and it's me! I'm using my own CD key from the Windows
authentic shiny sticker underneaf my laptop.
What can be done about this?

Contact Dell. They will explain.

 

[Daniel Crichton]

KevinGPO wrote on Mon, 6 Feb 2006 09:56:16 -0000:

I own a Dell laptop and have a OEM Windows XP SP1 CD. Over the weekend I
decided to do a clean/fresh installation of my system because my files
were a bit messy.

After installation I got a message saying, "You have 30 days left to
activate your Windows". So I clicked on it to activate my windows. Then it
says that my CD key had already been activated already. Ofcourse, I
remember activating it long time ago. How can I tell Microsoft that I just
did a fresh/clean installation of my system again and it's me! I'm using
my own CD key from the Windows authentic shiny sticker underneaf my
laptop.

What can be done about this?

Possibly due to this:

http://www.betanews.com/article/Microsoft_Closes_Activation_Loophole/1109293194

You will need to use the option to activate by telephone and provide the
call centre with your details to obtain a new activation code.

Dan

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Contact Dell. They will explain.

Not a Dell issue! Microsoft has closed all Internet activations for most OEM
versions. There are/was a huge number of branded OEM versions of XP sold
without the correct "branded" PCs so MS decided to put this limitation. You
can always phone the activation number and get your code.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I own a Dell laptop and have a OEM Windows XP SP1 CD. Over the
weekend I decided to do a clean/fresh installation of my system
because my files were a bit messy.

After installation I got a message saying, "You have 30 days left
to activate your Windows". So I clicked on it to activate my
windows. Then it says that my CD key had already been activated
already. Ofcourse, I remember activating it long time ago. How
can I tell Microsoft that I just did a fresh/clean installation
of my system again and it's me! I'm using my own CD key from the
Windows authentic shiny sticker underneaf my laptop.
What can be done about this?

Contact Dell. They will explain.

Not a Dell issue! Microsoft has closed all Internet activations
for most OEM versions. There are/was a huge number of branded OEM
versions of XP sold without the correct "branded" PCs so MS decided
to put this limitation. You can always phone the activation number
and get your code.

Never said it was a Dell issue - but they know about it and will explain if
you call.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Then MS will give you a New Code to insert so you can reinstall XP on the
same box?

DSH

 

[Mike]

If you use a standard XP CD and not the actual Dell CD, then it will prompt
you for a Product ID number upon installation and require an activation.

If you use the supplied DELL CD and re-install XP, it will not prompt you a
Product ID at all and you will not be asked to activate it and it will also
pass the Windows Assurance Program when you perform a Windows Update.

If it did not come with a DELL CD, then when you initially boot up, you have
to select function key F11 to access a different partition on your hard
drive and a clean install of Windows can be performed. If by some chance
that on one of your previous installs, you repartitioned your hard drive,
then this process is gone.

Last but not least, you can call DELL for a replacement CD and then
reinstall it again and you will not have any problems. The CD when purchased
with the new system is only $10, but they will probally charge you a little
more + shipping.

Either way, from the hard drive installation or the actual DELL CD, you will
not be promted for a product key or activation.

The way this works is that there is an oem bios file on the cd and upon
installation, it verifies that it is in fact a DELL motherboard and then if
it is, it does a different install which does not require a product key or
activation. If you use this same DELL CD on another brand, then it performs
just like a standard cd and will want to activate it. All major PC vendors
have this same process.

Hope this helps ...

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

You're not saying it can be reinstalled on ANY Dell computer are you?

It has to be the same motherboard?

DSH

 

[AJR]

There is a lot of confusion regarding OEM and retail versions of XP CDs.
The only difference is that Microsoft does not provide support for OEM
installations - they will refer you to the OEM for support - this does not
apply to activation. OEM will be either pre-activated or require activation
at the site. The pre-activation MAY or MAY NOT be related to the BIOS-
referred to as SLP or "System Locked Pre-installation". Note the quote below
from Microsoft: (Also note that "anything" replaced other than then the MB
does not require activation)

"Every single piece of hardware could be changed on a PC with SLP (System
locked pre-installation) and no reactivation would be required - even the
motherboard could be replaced as long as the replacement motherboard was
original equipment manufactured by the OEM and retained the proper BIOS. In
the unlikely scenario that the BIOS information does not match, the PC would
need to be activated within 30 days by contacting the Microsoft activation
center via the Internet or telephone call - just as in a retail scenario."

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

But folks upgrade the BIOS all the time.

I don't have the same BIOS that came with my computer.

Thousands of other folks must be in the same boat.

DSH

 

[AJR]

What 's the problem - when notice about activation pops up select activation
by phone - when you do so a key will be generated with instructions to copy
it. When on the phone (automated) you will be asked to input the key - in
turn you will be given the activation key to use

No sweat - just follow the instructions - it's a snap.

 

[administer of god]

Call microsoft and complain. You should be able to use the disk that
came with your dell to reinstall windows. That disk only works on the
machine you bought from dell. If you use another machine the disk will
say hay this aint the original computer you bought and won't work.

 

[Alias]

Then MS will give you a New Code to insert so you can reinstall XP on the
same box?

DSH

Yep.

Alias

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[PA Bear]

If it's a Dell, he bought Windows from Dell, not MS so MS will only point
him back to Dell Support, AoG.