Win XP Home activation problem

[Guest]

I had to replace a dead motherboard in an emachine with a now emachine
replacement; much too costly from emachines. When windows booted, it got to
the desktop without icons and gives an error message "This copy of windows
must be activated with microsoft before you can log on. Do you want activate
windows now?" Then there is a YES and NO button but pushing either one does
nothing. You certainly can't do it with a computer you can't go on the
internet with.

How, pray tell am I to activate this install?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Bill Crocker]

Call them...it's quick, and easy!

Bill Crocker

 

[Guest]

That'll depend on whether XP is tied to the bios. If it is, you may have
some trouble re-activating. Microsoft may give you a new cd key. Or,
depending on the mood of the operator, refuse! (Joys of activation.)

To re-activate, just call them or do it over the net. It should give the
number on the activation screen. Or check Microsoft's web site.

However, you may have bigger problems. A lack of icons....

Usually when you change the mobo, it's a drastic enough change that the
existing installation of XP doesn't work right. Or more often than not, it
wont even boot at all.

Fixing that would be to boot from the cd and install over itself (not a
fresh install, but a 'repair' install.) That'll do the hardware detection,
load the appropriate chipset drivers, etc. etc.

Make sure you have a copy of XP that you can do that with. Some computers
just come with a 'restore' cd or hidden partition.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

If you click yes the activation wizard will attempt the connection. If it
cannot connect it will give you phone numbers.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I had to replace a dead motherboard in an emachine with a now emachine
replacement; much too costly from emachines.

A: Please do not ask the same question over again within minutes

B: if you feel you have to, do us the courtesy of using the same name