Product activation problem after installing hotfixes

[Edgar Suarez]

In the corporation we use a WinXPpro installation CD with
a key that doesnt require product activation, I updated a
PC with several hotfixes and patches and after I reboot I
am getting a message that there is a problem in obtaining
the information of my activation and it doesnt let me
login. what should I do?

 

[Nicholas]

Error Message Cites License-Checking Issue
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310794

--
Nicholas

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| In the corporation we use a WinXPpro installation CD with
| a key that doesnt require product activation, I updated a
| PC with several hotfixes and patches and after I reboot I
| am getting a message that there is a problem in obtaining
| the information of my activation and it doesnt let me
| login. what should I do?

 

[Edgar Suarez]

the message I am getting is as follows:

A problem is preventing Windows from accurately checking
the license for this computer. Error code: 0x80004005

I already check the link you sent me but none of them
apply.

 

[Ron Rector]

Hi Edgar,

When it comes to volume licensing you will either have to
contact the reseller of the volume licence or contact
your helpdesk to resolve the issue.

 

[Sean McPoland]

hi,

well after finding practically no information anywhere
about the above error - I managed to find a reason why it
happens and a simple way out of it.

First this relates to "A problem is preventing Windows
from accurately checking the license for this computer.
Error code: 0x80004005" no other error.

The fixes as stated by other methods - see
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;310794 only tell half the truth.

This problem seems to happen when you are installing mass
fixes from CD or the hard disk direct to the system rather
than thru' Windows Update.

It seems that when doing this the system inadvertently
deletes or removes the HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20 user settings.

These setting seem to be REQUIRED by windows for any
other logon except for Safe-mode, why I do not know.

Now - HOW TO GET OUT OF IT - from what I have found there
is no other way except to (and I hope you have System
Restore ON) do a Systems Restore -> "Start -> Programs ->
Accessories -> System Tools - System Restore" and go back
to the first fix and regress the system.

This sets the system back to where you started (or so we
are led to believe) and you can start all over again. This
time REBOOTING between every fix installed as per the
system requirements.

DO NOT FORGET - when using Windows update it decides how
to install the fixes itself and in the correct order - it
is probable that by 'doing it yourself' the order is not
quite as correct as you hope and the registry key is being
deleted and not being put back correctly.

IF YOU DO NOT have System Restore on - then i think the
only method of resetting the system is to reinstall
windows from the original disk using UPGRADE INSTALL and
then starting the upgrade process all over again.

NOTE SP1 can be installed from disk quite successfully -
it is all the minor installs from disk that seem to cause
the problem if done one after the other.

NOTE SP2 I believe will be available sometime in 4th Q
2003 so hopefully everything will be easier next time
round ;-) - ha.

regards
Sean McPoland