Problems registering XP home edition & restoring back

[Guest]

I bought home edition for my desktop computer and registered it fine. I then
tried to install it on my laptop and now I have major problems. My laptop
already had xp on it - I had office trial version - I confused xp home
edition with office and thought I'd get everything. I've since been told no!
Anyways, my laptop is stuck on registering. It comes up with my login - I
only have 1 - when I click on it, it takes me to the registering window. I
click on everything, it tries to dial and then tells me it can't dial because
I'm basically in Bermuda. I just want to restore my computer back to what it
was yesterday before I tried to reinstall xp on it. How do I get to that
screen and get past my login problem?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Purchase a second Windows XP license (Product Key)
and then change the key and activate:

How to obtain additional licenses for Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;814175&Product=winxp

How To Change the Product Key at the Time of Activation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;810892&Product=winxp

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I bought home edition for my desktop computer and registered it fine. I then
| tried to install it on my laptop and now I have major problems. My laptop
| already had xp on it - I had office trial version - I confused xp home
| edition with office and thought I'd get everything. I've since been told no!
| Anyways, my laptop is stuck on registering. It comes up with my login - I
| only have 1 - when I click on it, it takes me to the registering window. I
| click on everything, it tries to dial and then tells me it can't dial because
| I'm basically in Bermuda. I just want to restore my computer back to what it
| was yesterday before I tried to reinstall xp on it. How do I get to that
| screen and get past my login problem?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

When the system first boots, tap F8 repeatedly immediately after the system
POST and before Windows starts to load. This will bring up the boot menu,
choose "safe mode with command prompt". Logon as administrator, run
C:\Windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe from the prompt to open the System
Restore GUI. See if it allows you to revert to the prior installation. If
not, then the only way back may be a format and clean installation.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Mark]

Why "purchase" another license after a valid one already exists on the
laptop?

Why waste more money on Microsoft's flawed OS!?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Because the OP apparently overwrote the original OEM
installation of Windows XP with a retail version and does
not want to lose valuable data reformatting the drive in order
to reinstall the original OEM version.

The only "flaw" is your inability to suggest an alternative
solution and ability to make a snide remark.

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

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Why "purchase" another license after a valid one already exists on the
| laptop?
|
| Why waste more money on Microsoft's flawed OS!?

 

[Mark]

The flaw is the OS.

The OP should look at the affordable alternatives.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

If the poster can "afford" to spend a lot of time learning linux, then sure.
That's about the only thing that will be cheaper for a hime user. Otherwise,
best to stick with what they know. Every operating system has flaws,
including linux variants and macs. If you can do better writing an operating
system that will adapt to almost any x86 pc configuration and will support a
myriad of programs written in many programming languages in a multi-user
environment for people who understand very little beyond "point and click",
please do so. I'll be happy to test it for you on a multitude of hardware
and begin pointing out the flaws, security holes, memory leaks, etc.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Ron Bogart]

In

The flaw is the OS.

The OP should look at the affordable alternatives.

The flaw is in both the OP's actions and your logic. An OEM install
requires the same OEM Disc or the directory where they have the recovery
files located. Either the OP needs to contact their OEM provider for
another CD or purchase a retail version and install with it. Your feelings
towards MS should not cloud your judgment when providing support/help.

--
Ron Bogart {} ô¿ô¬
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -
Lovin life on Mercer Island 8^)
"Life is what happens while we are making other plans."

 

[Al Smith]

If the poster can "afford" to spend a lot of time learning linux, then sure.

That's about the only thing that will be cheaper for a hime user. Otherwise,
best to stick with what they know.

The OP doesn't sound like a candidate for Linux. They throught
they would upgrade their trial MS Office installation by
installing XP Home. I don't think Linux will work for them.

 

[Sam]

Apparently, _wolfsong88_, on 06/02/05 09:01,typed:

I bought home edition for my desktop computer and registered it fine. I then
tried to install it on my laptop and now I have major problems. My laptop
already had xp on it - I had office trial version - I confused xp home
edition with office and thought I'd get everything. I've since been told no!
Anyways, my laptop is stuck on registering. It comes up with my login - I
only have 1 - when I click on it, it takes me to the registering window. I
click on everything, it tries to dial and then tells me it can't dial because
I'm basically in Bermuda. I just want to restore my computer back to what it
was yesterday before I tried to reinstall xp on it. How do I get to that
screen and get past my login problem?

er .. I am not an expert, but here goes:

1. Assumption: your actions may need drastic steps (could be
reformatting or reinstalling from your laptop's installation CDs).

2. Boot into safe mode and try to save any important data. You could
just use 'copy' or 'xcopy' command (google will turn up pretty nice info
on how to do this), but experts here will confirm whether it is possible
in safe mode. Best way would be to save all your data into a USB stick
(if safe mode allows it -- to NOT allow it would be really bad design of
the OS). The purpose this step will solve is you will not be worried
whatever happends to your hard disk from this point onwords.

3. Once your data is safe, go ahead and try repairing the system or just
use your laptop's installation CD's to get your laptop's state as it was
when you bought it. OR, alternatively, just format the hard disk and
reinstall your OS.

This is all the help I can suggest. I know this is quite general, but at
least this gives you a starting point.

GL,
Sam.