Register Windows XP

[R Doornbosch]

I have a PC that I setup a while ago and never registered the "LEGAL" copy
of windows XP. Since this PC isn't connected to the internet and is
basically just used by kids to play games and do home work. Anyway last week
it stopped working and said that I need to register windows XP but every
time I click on the XP USER icon in starts to log me into XP and then
promptly logs me off and returns to the login screen. No matter what I do I
can't get past the Login screen can anyone help me out here?

 

[Stephan]

Windows needs to be activated.
this is hardly the forum to find "cracks"

 

[wojo]

Windows needs to be activated.
this is hardly the forum to find "cracks"

He is trying to register it but after the 30 days it won't let you in to
register it.

I've never had this happen but I believe you will actually need to reinstall
windows and then activate it. You will need to call MS to activate since the
computer your dealing with won't have a modem connection.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

You use the word 'Register' in your post. Register and Activation are two
different things. Registration, i.e., letting Microsoft know who you are and
where you live is voluntary. You are not obliged by a licence agreement or
anything else to register the product. You are, however, obliged to Activate
the product.
Obviously the 30 day grace period before activation has now expired. The
problem is you have no internet connection on that pc. Can it be connected
to the internet? Before you can access XP the copy needs to be activated. If
you can connect the pc to a phone line you can allow XP to activate the
software for you. It simply dials a free internet provider number which
gives access to the Microsoft Activation Server. Once the software has been
activated you should have no problem.
Under normal circumstances, if you are unable to activate over the internet
via the 'activate windows now' option on the start menu a toll free number
is displayed which you can ring to activate the software (you do need your
pc in front of you though, because you need to give the activation centre
the code number produced when you go the activation screens and you need to
type in a code the activation centre gives you.)
Unfortunately, when the 30 day activationgrace period is over and you are
unable to access the xp desktop you are also unable to get the toll free
number and all the other information. Hence you activate from the startup
screen as described above.
The only other way round things is to reinstall XP onto the computer and
make sure you activate it in time.
Incidentally, if you do reinstall xp don't activate for about 10 days or so.
This time period will give you chance to see that everything is working ok
before you finally activate.

 

[wojo]

You use the word 'Register' in your post. Register and Activation are two
different things. Registration, i.e., letting Microsoft know who you are
and where you live is voluntary. You are not obliged by a licence
agreement or anything else to register the product. You are, however,
obliged to Activate the product.
Obviously the 30 day grace period before activation has now expired. The
problem is you have no internet connection on that pc. Can it be connected
to the internet? Before you can access XP the copy needs to be activated.
If you can connect the pc to a phone line you can allow XP to activate the
software for you. It simply dials a free internet provider number which
gives access to the Microsoft Activation Server. Once the software has
been activated you should have no problem.
Under normal circumstances, if you are unable to activate over the
internet via the 'activate windows now' option on the start menu a toll
free number is displayed which you can ring to activate the software (you
do need your pc in front of you though, because you need to give the
activation centre the code number produced when you go the activation
screens and you need to type in a code the activation centre gives you.)
Unfortunately, when the 30 day activationgrace period is over and you are
unable to access the xp desktop you are also unable to get the toll free
number and all the other information. Hence you activate from the startup
screen as described above.
The only other way round things is to reinstall XP onto the computer and
make sure you activate it in time.
Incidentally, if you do reinstall xp don't activate for about 10 days or
so. This time period will give you chance to see that everything is
working ok before you finally activate.

Hi John,
So I know for future reference. Once the 30 days is up your locked out.
In our post you said that you then activate VIA the startup screen as
"described above" but I didn't see where you described it above.
As I have neer let the time period laps I don't know, does the login screen
give you the activation option? Or maybe when you try to log in?
Just curious so I know this the next time it comes up since I hate to
suggest people reinstall Windows.
Thanks, Wojo

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Wojo after the initial 30 days have elapsed, if you haven't activate, your
pc will bootup but only to the log on screen. You can type in your password
or do whatever you like the screen will simply come back to the log in
screen everytime. You will be given the option of either activating xp or
shutting down. Now so long as you have a modem and an internet connection,
if you choose to activate, xp will dial the microsoft activation server (the
call is free). Activation should then go ahead without any problem. Once
activated your pc will then boot as normal.

 

[wojo]

Thanks, I knew most of that but wasn't sure if XP would ask you to activate
or not.

 

[R Doornbosch]

OK, it looks like the only option here is to re-install windows because I
didn't activate XP in the first 30 days (Does this make sense). On the login
screen I am not given the option to activate windows XP, I can only login as
XP USER which in turn boots me out and returns me to the login screen. Does
anyone have any idea how to activate XP once the 30 days has passed?