Product activaton

[TD]

I followed - to the letter - Microsoft's support for
changing the product key, so I wouldn't have that
annoying "21 Day's left for activation" anymore. It never
works...

I used my brother's XP cd, but since I can't use his key,
I went out and got another one, but it's not changing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

When Product Activation fails, select the option to "activate by telephone".
This will put you in touch with a Microsoft representative who will issue
a new product activation code (free-of-charge).

HOW TO: Activate Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307890

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

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| I followed - to the letter - Microsoft's support for
| changing the product key, so I wouldn't have that
| annoying "21 Day's left for activation" anymore. It never
| works...
|
| I used my brother's XP cd, but since I can't use his key,
| I went out and got another one, but it's not changing.
|
| Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
|

 

[Alex Nichol]

I followed - to the letter - Microsoft's support for
changing the product key, so I wouldn't have that
annoying "21 Day's left for activation" anymore. It never
works...

I used my brother's XP cd, but since I can't use his key,
I went out and got another one, but it's not changing.

How did you get the new key? It would have to be from a CD that was the
same type as your brothers - eg an Home Upgrade, rather than a Pro or
Full version (and certainly not an OEM one). If the types of CD don't
match, try using the one you now have to do a 'repair reinstall' - Set
the BIOS to boot CD before Hard disk, then boot the XP CD, start Setup
(do not take 'Repair' at this stage), then after the license agreement
take 'Repair Installation'. You will put your new key into that and it
*may* be accepted. At worst (provided its not your Home version to his
Pro one) - that would need a clean install) run it as an upgrade from
your present setup