product registration error after installing new motherboard, activation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Calvin
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Calvin

"Windows must be activated with Microsoft before you can
log on. Please ask a computer administrator to activate
Windows on this computer."

I just replaced someone's mobo and get this message when
trying to log on to any account (has 3 users set up on XP
Home). I tried to get a new board with the same chipset
thinking that would eliminate some problems, but now I
still get this. It can't even get into windows.

How do I go about activating it? Or do I have to format?
He has a lot of tax documents and stuff that would make
it a pain to reinstall everything. Please help!!
 
Is a repair install the only method? I don't have a
problem with doing it, but I only have an XP Pro disc and
this system that needs the repair is Home. I probably
can't do a Home repair with Pro disc...

Is there something in advanced boot options or anything
like that? Thanks so much for the help, this is really
important that I get this done.
 
"Windows must be activated with Microsoft before you can
log on. Please ask a computer administrator to activate
Windows on this computer."

I just replaced someone's mobo and get this message when
trying to log on to any account (has 3 users set up on XP
Home). I tried to get a new board with the same chipset
thinking that would eliminate some problems, but now I
still get this. It can't even get into windows.

How do I go about activating it? Or do I have to format?
He has a lot of tax documents and stuff that would make
it a pain to reinstall everything. Please help!!
Click to expand...

I recently replaced a motherboard and saw the same messages. When the
activation prompt appears you are asked if you want to update online or by
phone. Try online. If it goes through, you're done.

If not, you'll get bumped back to the screen to call in. Follow the on
screen prompts. At one point, you'll see a long hash number on the screen.
Keep this on screen while making the call. You'll either punch this number
in on the phone if you happen to get the "automated" operator -or- you will
read it off to a live person. In return, you'll get another long number to
type in on the lower section of that screen. Click Finish and you're done.
 
I'm sorry Sharon but you don't understand. I can't even
get into Windows. The computer boots up to the login
screen where the family has three users, the mom, dad,
and son. I click on any of them to log in and then I get
the message about Windows not being activated. If I
could get into Windows I could do the activation process
no problem.
 
I have the Home product key just not the actual Home cd.
Not possible to do a Home repair using a Pro cd and the
proper home key?

Also please read my response to Sharon. I cannot even get
into Windows, I can only get to the user login screen.
Thanks.
 
is this a retail or OEM copy of XP home? if it's retail, call the # to
activate, if its OEM, you need a retail copy, it won't work on a different
motherboard (per Microsoft's EULA, it is now considered a different computer
and the OEM license doesn't apply and the BIOS locked anti-piracy protection
kicks in).
 
Hello Calvin
No the XP Pro cd will not work to do a repair.
If you have the factory key code, it will be an OEM and will only work with
the factory restore cd's.
If you have a retail key code any retail xp home cd will work with your key
code.
OEM cd's will not work.
When purchasing a MS product you are purchasing the key code the disks can
be replaced, the code can not be replace but will have to be repurchased.

--
Hope This Helps
Haus
Not a MVP
Not a MS-MVP
Not nothing just a good ole boy..;)
 
The only documentation I have at the moment is a sticker
on the back of the tower. It doesn't say anything about
Retail or OEM, just has the product key and some other
serial/barcode type numbers.
How can I tell if it's retail or oem?\

What I don't understand is, even if I call and activate
it, how will the computer know it's now activated and
then let me into Windows?
 
Someone told me I could log in as an Administrator by
going to Safe Mode w/Networking. I still got the same
message about it not being activated, so I could not get
to Windows.
However, I did get to Safe Mode with Command Prompt. I
can access the entire C: drive and do some operations in
the cmd console. Could I possibly change the log file
that contains the activation number? I looked at a few
logs but I have no idea which one would contain that
information.


Meanwhile I need to find out if this is a retail copy and
then do a repair install. I'm waiting for the guy to
bring his cd into work...hopefully he has it.
 
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