Re-Activation help needed!

[ccr]

I had to replace the dead motherboard on a 2 year old eMachines PC that
originally came bundled with XP home edition. I used a generic motherboard,
not an eMachines product.

Now when I start the machine, I must reactivate XP. The automated telephone
server tells me that the generated ID number is invalid.

What can I do to reactivate? Is their a way to reinstall XP without losing
all the existing data? I've got the Key sticker on the back of the machine
with the product key. Or can I get a hold of a human being at Microsoft to
activate this thing? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Ron Martell]

I had to replace the dead motherboard on a 2 year old eMachines PC that
originally came bundled with XP home edition. I used a generic motherboard,
not an eMachines product.

Now when I start the machine, I must reactivate XP. The automated telephone
server tells me that the generated ID number is invalid.

What can I do to reactivate? Is their a way to reinstall XP without losing
all the existing data? I've got the Key sticker on the back of the machine
with the product key. Or can I get a hold of a human being at Microsoft to
activate this thing? Any help would be appreciated.

The Windows XP version that comes with eMachines computers is "BIOS
Locked" which means it is self-activating if it is installed on an
eMachines motherboard.

As of 1 March 2005 the product keys used with "BIOS Locked" OEM
versions will not activate over the Internet and telephone activations
will be declined, as you have discovered.

You have two options at this point:

1. Replace the motherboard again, this time using one that is
supplied by eMachines.

2. Purchase a new copy of Windows XP and install that.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[Keith Jakobs, MCP]

Hi CCR....

Perhaps the following article about reactivation of pre-activted systems may
come in handy. I dont know if it can circumvent BIOS locked versions of
Windows XP, but it may be worth a try.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/oempreac.mspx

Good Luck

Keith C. Jakobs, MCP