strange XP activation problem?

[Guest]

installed new mobo into a Compaq computer. kept all the other hardware in the
case. on the new mobo it is able to boot to windows welcome screen no
problem, when you click a user acount to login a message pops up ~"this
version of XP needs to be activated before you can contine" you click ok to
activate it, the standard windows activation wizard pops up with a single
message ~"this version of windows has already been activated" you click ok
and it takes you back to welcome screen, try to login to an acount and it
still says xp needs to be acitvated, activation wizard still says xp is
activated and returns you to welcome screen again!!
we can manage to get to the desktop in safe mode

anyone seen this strange problem before? I assume it is caused by the new
motherboard BIOS not being a Compaq BIOS? or somthing wrong with XP?

 

[Alex]

OEM versions of XP are licensed bound to the hardware with which they are
purchased and cannot be moved to a different computer. There are two
versions of OEM XP. One purchased separately, with qualifying hardware which
may be reinstalled and reactivated indefinitely provided it is still on the
original machine. This version may not be transferred to a different
computer and if installed hardware seen as not substantially the same, the
activation would be refused. You'd have to call MS.

The other OEM version is provided pre-installed by some manufacturers.
Instead of activation, the system is 'locked' to the manufacturer's BIOS and
is checked at boot. Obviously to pass, any replacement motherboard must be
one supplied by the original maker. If this version is installed to a board
where the check fails, it enters a normal Activation process. Starting 1
March 2005, the product key from the original manufacturer in no longer
valid for activation. A new copy of XP, with a valid license is needed. You
might call MS and explain but probably get the sorry!



Bubba

 

[NotMe]

In some cases, you can 'tattoo' the MB with the manufacturer's data and
allow the bios locked version to work.
I have had to do that on replacement boards done under Compaq/HP warranty.
If it isn't tattooed, you're SOL on using the BIOS locked OS.

 

[Guest]

Update:

we were able to boot to the windows xp disk, run the windows repair and
chkdsk, after running these windows activated the way it should, we were able
to use the orginal Compaq key included with the system

thanks for the input