Sick of XP Activation Failure!

[benb]

Hi,

Over the past couple of months I have had to rebuild a number of laptops,
either due to BSODs, or staff leaving/joining. We usually order Dell
laptops, which come with XP Pro oem licenses. Every time I rebuild I use the
supplied installation CD, and enter the CD-key from the OEM sticker on the
laptop, and every time I try to activate Windows I'm told that the CD-key
has been entered incorrectly, and I get the pop up window asking me to
re-enter it or phone Microsoft. I've double and triple checked the CD-Key is
correct, but I still get the error. I know I could phone up MS and activate
the software, but this is a pain in the rear end, first you have to go
through the automated system entering the 64 digit activation number, (which
never verifies correctly if it already failed trying to do it online - so
what's the point!?), then you have to talk to a CSR, who can be difficult to
understand, and give them the same 64 digit number, etc etc

I've tried asking the CSRs why the activation failed initially, but they say
they don't have any technical knowledge, and don't know. So I'm suck having
to phone every time I need to re-activate, and this gets highly irritating
when you have to do it every couple of weeks! Especially when you've
actually brought legal, licensed software!

Does anyone know why my activation keeps failing?

Cheers

Ben

 

[Gordon]

Hi,

Over the past couple of months I have had to rebuild a number of laptops,
either due to BSODs, or staff leaving/joining. We usually order Dell
laptops, which come with XP Pro oem licenses. Every time I rebuild I use
the supplied installation CD, and enter the CD-key from the OEM sticker on
the laptop, and every time I try to activate Windows I'm told that the
CD-key has been entered incorrectly, and I get the pop up window asking me
to re-enter it or phone Microsoft. I've double and triple checked the
CD-Key is correct, but I still get the error. I know I could phone up MS
and activate the software, but this is a pain in the rear end, first you
have to go through the automated system entering the 64 digit activation
number, (which never verifies correctly if it already failed trying to do
it online - so what's the point!?), then you have to talk to a CSR, who
can be difficult to understand, and give them the same 64 digit number,
etc etc

Where are you getting these laptops from? MS disabled internet activation
for most large OEM vendors some time ago.

have a look here:
http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1769339,00.asp?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535
http://www.aviransplace.com/index.php/archives/2005/02/22/changes-in-windows-xp-product-activation/

 

[Kerry Brown]

Purchase a volume license or use the computers "restore to factory"
procedure and the problem will go away. Most large OEM keys require a phone
call to activate if Windows is installed by any procedure other the the
factory recovery one. The factory recovery option uses a master key that
doesn't need activation. If you use any procedure that uses the key from the
COA you will have to phone for activation as Internet activation is disabled
for those keys.

 

[benb]

Where are you getting these laptops from? MS disabled internet activation
for most large OEM vendors some time ago.

have a look here:
http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1769339,00.asp?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535
http://www.aviransplace.com/index.php/archives/2005/02/22/changes-in-windows-xp-product-activation/

We always buy from Dell direct, have an account with them. The 2 most recent
laptops that I've had problems with are between 18 months & 2 years old.

I will have a look at those links.

Thanks

Ben

 

[Gordon]

We always buy from Dell direct, have an account with them. The 2 most
recent laptops that I've had problems with are between 18 months & 2 years
old.

I will have a look at those links.

Thanks

Ben

End Feb 2005 was the start of this new activation regime......

 

[Boris]

Hi,

Over the past couple of months I have had to rebuild a number of laptops,
either due to BSODs, or staff leaving/joining. We usually order Dell
laptops, which come with XP Pro oem licenses. Every time I rebuild I use the
supplied installation CD, and enter the CD-key from the OEM sticker on the
laptop, and every time I try to activate Windows I'm told that the CD-key
has been entered incorrectly, and I get the pop up window asking me to
re-enter it or phone Microsoft. I've double and triple checked the CD-Key is
correct, but I still get the error. I know I could phone up MS and activate
the software, but this is a pain in the rear end, first you have to go
through the automated system entering the 64 digit activation number, (which
never verifies correctly if it already failed trying to do it online - so
what's the point!?), then you have to talk to a CSR, who can be difficult to
understand, and give them the same 64 digit number, etc etc

I've tried asking the CSRs why the activation failed initially, but they say
they don't have any technical knowledge, and don't know. So I'm suck having

OEM > to phone every time I need to re-activate, and this gets highly
irritating

when you have to do it every couple of weeks! Especially when you've
actually brought legal, licensed software!

Does anyone know why my activation keeps failing?

Cheers

Ben

Wow. That's odd. I've got an i8600, purchased around 3/2004, that
came with the Dell reinstallation CD. I did a clean install with the
CD in 6/2005, with no request to activate, which is how it should work.
I'm about to do another clean install this week. I hope I don't have
these problems.

 

[Gordon]

OEM > to phone every time I need to re-activate, and this gets highly
irritating

Wow. That's odd. I've got an i8600, purchased around 3/2004, that
came with the Dell reinstallation CD. I did a clean install with the
CD in 6/2005, with no request to activate, which is how it should work.
I'm about to do another clean install this week. I hope I don't have
these problems.

I think you'll find the Dell "reinstallation CD is actually a Recovery CD
and if so, then it doesn't need activating anyway as the Recovery image is
pre-activated.....

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,

Over the past couple of months I have had to rebuild a number of laptops,
either due to BSODs, or staff leaving/joining. We usually order Dell
laptops, which come with XP Pro oem licenses. Every time I rebuild I use the
supplied installation CD, and enter the CD-key from the OEM sticker on the
laptop, and every time I try to activate Windows I'm told that the CD-key
has been entered incorrectly, and I get the pop up window asking me to
re-enter it or phone Microsoft. I've double and triple checked the CD-Key is
correct, but I still get the error. I know I could phone up MS and activate
the software, but this is a pain in the rear end, first you have to go
through the automated system entering the 64 digit activation number, (which
never verifies correctly if it already failed trying to do it online - so
what's the point!?), then you have to talk to a CSR, who can be difficult to
understand, and give them the same 64 digit number, etc etc

I've tried asking the CSRs why the activation failed initially, but they say
they don't have any technical knowledge, and don't know. So I'm suck having
to phone every time I need to re-activate, and this gets highly irritating
when you have to do it every couple of weeks! Especially when you've
actually brought legal, licensed software!

Does anyone know why my activation keeps failing?

I'm afraid you'll have to continue activating by telephone.

Some time ago, Microsoft disabled the CDs/Product Keys from most major
OEMs, such as Dell, from activating via the Internet. This was in
response to the large number of the branded OEM CDs being illegally
(without the computer) resold vis eBay, computer fairs, etc.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Ben;
If you are reinstalling per Dell instructions, there should be no need to
activate or enter the Product Key.
But if you are installing as you would a retail CD, activation may be
necessary.
Dell gives a little more flexibility than some other OEMs, so I think you
are choosing the wrong installation option.

 

[Ron Martell]

Hi,

Over the past couple of months I have had to rebuild a number of laptops,
either due to BSODs, or staff leaving/joining. We usually order Dell
laptops, which come with XP Pro oem licenses. Every time I rebuild I use the
supplied installation CD, and enter the CD-key from the OEM sticker on the
laptop, and every time I try to activate Windows I'm told that the CD-key
has been entered incorrectly, and I get the pop up window asking me to
re-enter it or phone Microsoft. I've double and triple checked the CD-Key is
correct, but I still get the error. I know I could phone up MS and activate
the software, but this is a pain in the rear end, first you have to go
through the automated system entering the 64 digit activation number, (which
never verifies correctly if it already failed trying to do it online - so
what's the point!?), then you have to talk to a CSR, who can be difficult to
understand, and give them the same 64 digit number, etc etc

I've tried asking the CSRs why the activation failed initially, but they say
they don't have any technical knowledge, and don't know. So I'm suck having
to phone every time I need to re-activate, and this gets highly irritating
when you have to do it every couple of weeks! Especially when you've
actually brought legal, licensed software!

Does anyone know why my activation keeps failing?

Are you using the actual restore CD that came with the specific laptop
that you are working on, or are you using a Dell CD that came with
some laptop or other at some point in the past?

I am not sure of the date, but sometime in 2003 or 2004 (it may have
even been in 2002) Dell changed their OEM distribution so that instead
of being just a customized version of the generic OEM software they
began using the SLP (System Locked Preinstallation) method, also
referred to as BIOS Locked.

SLP OEM versions are self-activating when installed on a computer with
a motherboard BIOS from that specific OEM. In order to prevent
duplicate installations the Product Key sequences used for SLP
versions are blocked from being activated over the Internet as the
need to do so would only arise if the motherboard BIOS was not from
the correct OEM.

There are a couple of possible scenarios where the situation you
describe could arise:

1. The installation CD you are using is one that was produced by Dell
prior to their transition to the SLP system.

2. The motherboard BIOS in the affected computers has been updated
with a BIOS version that was not from the Dell website (e.g. one from
the BIOS manufacturer that Dell purchased their "raw" BIOS version
from.

To determine if a specific computer has a BIOS Locked (SLP) version of
Windows installed, first verify it is an OEM version by looking at the
Product ID (Control Panel - System - General, last line in the
"Licensed to" section) to see if the second segment reads OEM. If it
does the look on the Start Menu under Accessories - System Tools for
an "Activate Windows" menu item. If there is no "Activate Windows"
item then that OEM version is SLP (BIOS Locked).


Hope this is of some assistance.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Vincent Xu [MSFT]]

Hi Ben,

Thanks for posting.

I do understand your concern about the Activation issue and the phone call
active procedure. However, at Microsoft side, I have to say: For licensing
questions:

You can call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00
A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing
specialist. Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft
Licensing Sites http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/index/worldwide.asp to
find contact information in their locations.

Thanks for understanding.


Best regards,

Vincent Xu
Microsoft Online Partner Support

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--------------------

 

[benb]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

We're only a small (ish) company, with 30 users, and all XP licenses have
been brought OEM from Dell. I looked into buying a VLM, and it cost
something like £75 per license to upgrade them from OEM (I assume each
license will require an upgrade if we were to eventually use the VLM to
re-install each laptop), which is money that we just can't afford at the
moment.

Ben

 

[benb]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

I eventually bit the bullet and phoned MS to activate. I may look into
buying a VLM soon, if we are to start re-installing everyone's laptops when
they want to upgrade to Vista.
I would really like to be able to install each laptop via RIS, (and install
Office via Group Policy/Software Install, which also can't be done with OEM
versions) :-(

Thanks for everyone's help

Ben

 

[Kerry Brown]

Then you are stuck using the Dell restore to factory option or phoning in
activation each time. Another alternative is for each new machine set it up
as you want it then create an image of the the hard drive with something
like Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost. Instead of rebuilding the machine
restore the image. There are network aware versions of both programs where
all the images would be stored on a server. You boot from a CD, pick the
image you want, and restore it.

 

[Melissa B.]

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:52:21 +0100, "benb"

Does anyone know why my activation keeps failing?

Cheers

Ben

Because Micro$haft is the evil empire

 

[Zilbandy]

I eventually bit the bullet and phoned MS to activate. I may look into
buying a VLM soon, if we are to start re-installing everyone's laptops when
they want to upgrade to Vista.

If you are getting your work done with Win XP, why even consider
moving to Vista? Sounds like a potential headache waiting to happen...
times 30!

 

[myself]

I have ReOSed several dell laptops ranging from 8500 from 2003 to a 9300
from 2005 and If I do a full install not a repair or upgrade I have to enter
the product key but I do not have to activate.