Windows Activation, Again, Again

[Guest]

I purchased an XP Home Upgrade for my, self built Compaq (2001), computer in
early Feb.2003, $99.50 AAFES. I did a clean install without any problems. The
computer worked perfectly. I had to replace my WD HDD in May 2004. I had to
call MS to activate after telling them why. No problem there just an
inconvenience. I added 1GB ram in July 2004. It's been a perfect computer
since then.
The problem:
March 12th 2006 I booted the computer as usual. When I went to my home page
I was informed, by a set of keys in the task bar, I had 30 days left for
activation. I called Microsoft once again to activate. I don't think the tech
believed me when I told him what happened. The computer worked perfectly
again until 25 June 2006. I was informed I had 30 days left for activation. I
called MS once again, told the tech the problem. I was informed I had to
purchase an another license.
I've had this copy of Win-XP in my locked file drawer the entire time. No
one has access to it other than my wife and she doesn't really care about
such things.
I am confused.

 

[Alias]

I purchased an XP Home Upgrade for my, self built Compaq (2001), computer in
early Feb.2003, $99.50 AAFES. I did a clean install without any problems. The
computer worked perfectly. I had to replace my WD HDD in May 2004. I had to
call MS to activate after telling them why. No problem there just an
inconvenience. I added 1GB ram in July 2004. It's been a perfect computer
since then.
The problem:
March 12th 2006 I booted the computer as usual. When I went to my home page
I was informed, by a set of keys in the task bar, I had 30 days left for
activation. I called Microsoft once again to activate. I don't think the tech
believed me when I told him what happened. The computer worked perfectly
again until 25 June 2006. I was informed I had 30 days left for activation. I
called MS once again, told the tech the problem. I was informed I had to
purchase an another license.
I've had this copy of Win-XP in my locked file drawer the entire time. No
one has access to it other than my wife and she doesn't really care about
such things.
I am confused.

The MS tech lied to you in a lame attempt to fool you into buying a new
copy of Windows. Call the phone activation people again and, if you get
the same schmuck, take down his or her name and employee ID number and
then ask for a supervisor.

Alias

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Try the following:

1. Reboot your computer into "Safe Mode".
2. Go to Start > Run and type: %systemroot%\system32
then press the Enter key.
3. Locate these two files: wpa.dbl and wpa.bak
4. Rename the wpa.dbl file to wpaold.dbl and wpa.bak to wpaold.bak
5. Reboot your computer into Normal mode.

This will force activation on the following boot, but should remove the
message that you are already activated message. Sometimes if these files
get corrupted, they can cause this type of problem.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

:

| I purchased an XP Home Upgrade for my, self built Compaq (2001), computer in
| early Feb.2003, $99.50 AAFES. I did a clean install without any problems. The
| computer worked perfectly. I had to replace my WD HDD in May 2004. I had to
| call MS to activate after telling them why. No problem there just an
| inconvenience. I added 1GB ram in July 2004. It's been a perfect computer
| since then.
| The problem:
| March 12th 2006 I booted the computer as usual. When I went to my home page
| I was informed, by a set of keys in the task bar, I had 30 days left for
| activation. I called Microsoft once again to activate. I don't think the tech
| believed me when I told him what happened. The computer worked perfectly
| again until 25 June 2006. I was informed I had 30 days left for activation. I
| called MS once again, told the tech the problem. I was informed I had to
| purchase an another license.
| I've had this copy of Win-XP in my locked file drawer the entire time. No
| one has access to it other than my wife and she doesn't really care about
| such things.
| I am confused.

 

[Alias]

Try the following:

1. Reboot your computer into "Safe Mode".
2. Go to Start > Run and type: %systemroot%\system32
then press the Enter key.
3. Locate these two files: wpa.dbl and wpa.bak
4. Rename the wpa.dbl file to wpaold.dbl and wpa.bak to wpaold.bak
5. Reboot your computer into Normal mode.

This will force activation on the following boot, but should remove the
message that you are already activated message.

Not the message the OP is getting. Do you even read the posts you spam
your boilerplate copy and pastes to?

Here is the pertinent part of the OP's post:

"I don't think the tech
believed me when I told him what happened. The computer worked perfectly
again until 25 June 2006. I was informed I had 30 days left for
activation. I
called MS once again, told the tech the problem. I was informed I had to
purchase an another license."

Sometimes if these files
get corrupted, they can cause this type of problem.

Course, if MS would do away with WPA and WGA, all these problems would
be gone. And, being as neither flawed program stops piracy one iota,
there is no defense whatsoever for them being forced upon us.

Alias

 

[POP]

Not the message the OP is getting. Do you even read the
posts you spam your boilerplate copy and pastes to?

Here is the pertinent part of the OP's post:

"I don't think the tech
believed me when I told him what happened. The computer
worked perfectly again until 25 June 2006. I was informed I
had 30 days left for activation. I
called MS once again, told the tech the problem. I was
informed I had to purchase an another license."


Course, if MS would do away with WPA and WGA, all these
problems would be gone. And, being as neither flawed
program stops piracy one iota, there is no defense
whatsoever for them being forced upon us.
Alias

You're wrong, but ... you know that, don't you? Proper
installations and not pirating will rid you of your problems and
you know that, too. Looks like you need to find a new os to
pirate around town.

 

[HeyBub]

It's been a perfect computer since then.

No one has access to it other than my wife and she doesn't
really care about such things.

I am confused.

Which could it be? Hmm.

 

[DanS]

@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:

You're wrong, but ... you know that, don't you? Proper
installations and not pirating will rid you of your problems and
you know that, too. Looks like you need to find a new os to
pirate around town.

Alias is wrong about what ? Alias said nothing about having any problems.

How many times does it need to be said that the people that are
knowingly, and willingly running 'pirated' versions of XP are not
bothered by WPA or WGA. These people are the one's that know what's going
on and how to get around it.

The people that are having issues are the one's that were taken somehow,
by a semmingly reputable PC repair place, or by purchasing a second-hand
PC.

Seriously now, how many nearly-computer-illiterate people (probably
around 90% of PC users, that are lucky to be able to just press the power
button) would question these shops and second hand PC's, when just about
EVERY PC sold comes with Windows XP already installed ? It's pretty much
a given that XP will be installed on a new PC, therfore, it is not beyond
reason that most people would not question it on a second-hand PC.

 

[RA]

You're wrong, but ... you know that, don't you? Proper
installations and not pirating will rid you of your problems and
you know that, too. Looks like you need to find a new os to
pirate around town.

You're wrong too. I had a proper installation of a not pirated OEM operating
system that came with a Dell and the same thing happened to me not long
after I started using it. I ended up getting completely locked out and had
to reinstall the OS. We now reinstall the OS on every new system using VL.

 

[RA]

I purchased an XP Home Upgrade for my, self built Compaq (2001),
computer in early Feb.2003, $99.50 AAFES. I did a clean install
without any problems. The computer worked perfectly. I had to replace
my WD HDD in May 2004. I had to call MS to activate after telling
them why. No problem there just an inconvenience. I added 1GB ram in
July 2004. It's been a perfect computer since then.
The problem:
March 12th 2006 I booted the computer as usual. When I went to my
home page I was informed, by a set of keys in the task bar, I had 30
days left for activation. I called Microsoft once again to activate.
I don't think the tech believed me when I told him what happened. The
computer worked perfectly again until 25 June 2006. I was informed I
had 30 days left for activation. I called MS once again, told the
tech the problem. I was informed I had to purchase an another license.
I've had this copy of Win-XP in my locked file drawer the entire
time. No one has access to it other than my wife and she doesn't
really care about such things.
I am confused.

Make sure you have every important thing backed up until you get this
straightened out.

 

[NoStop]

The MS tech lied to you in a lame attempt to fool you into buying a new
copy of Windows. Call the phone activation people again and, if you get
the same schmuck, take down his or her name and employee ID number and
then ask for a supervisor.

Alias

Better still, install GNU/Linux and be done once and for all with this
MickeyMouse crapware. Put an end to "Again, Again" and move up to a real
operating system. You will be glad you did.

--
The ULTIMATE Windoze Fanboy:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2370205018226686613

A 3D Linux Desktop (video) ...

View Some Common Linux Desktops ...
http://shots.osdir.com/

 

[Alias]

You're wrong, but ... you know that, don't you?

About what? Neither one of those flawed programs enhances the end user's
experience one iota and can cause the kinds of problems the OP has.
Neither one of those programs are necessary for XP to function properly.

Proper
installations and not pirating will rid you of your problems and
you know that, too.

Um, I have no problems with my machine. Where did you get the idea that
I did?

Looks like you need to find a new os to
pirate around town.

I didn't say anything about pirating being a good thing, either. Maybe
you should

a. learn how to read.

or

b. get checked for Alzheimer's disease

or both.

Alias

 

[kurttrail]

You're wrong, but ... you know that, don't you? Proper
installations and not pirating will rid you of your problems and
you know that, too. Looks like you need to find a new os to
pirate around town.

LOL! Are you trying to tell all the legitimate & legal users that have
had WGA malware related problems, that it is their fault?

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."

 

[Rhonda Lea Kirk]

You're wrong, but ... you know that, don't you? Proper
installations and not pirating will rid you of your problems and
you know that, too. Looks like you need to find a new os to
pirate around town.

POP,

Are you are real person or are you just Carey's sock?

rl
--
Rhonda Lea Kirk

Insisting on perfect safety is for people
without the balls to live in the real world.
Mary Shafer Iliff

 

[NoStop]

LOL! Are you trying to tell all the legitimate & legal users that have
had WGA malware related problems, that it is their fault?

Well Kurt, that is indeed the MickeyMouse way. One sees it all the time
around here by the Windoze Fanboys that blame the user rather than a poorly
constructed "o/s" for all their problems with malware and crapware. If one
ONLY had decent backups, the inevitable crash by this toy operating system
wouldn't be so troubling. If one ONLY stayed away from unsavory websites,
one could keep this toy operating system secure. If one only had a degree
in computer science, one might be able to keep this toy operating system
running smoothly and swiftly. It's all MickeyMouse FUD spread to cover-up
the fact that they have put out an inherently unstable and unsecure toy
operating system bundled with every computer sold.

In fact, this attitude of blame the victim is just part of the larger
capitalist game of making the individual feel responsible for their
"failures" within this dog-eat-dog economic system. Certainly does help to
take the heat off the real culprits, doesn't it?


--
The ULTIMATE Windoze Fanboy:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2370205018226686613

A 3D Linux Desktop (video) ...

View Some Common Linux Desktops ...
http://shots.osdir.com/

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

On Tue, 27 Jun 2006 07:16:02 -0700, TominKY

I'll be reading this thread with great interest...

I purchased an XP Home Upgrade for my, self built Compaq (2001), computer in
early Feb.2003, $99.50 AAFES. I did a clean install without any problems. The
computer worked perfectly. I had to replace my WD HDD in May 2004. I had to
call MS to activate after telling them why. No problem there just an
inconvenience. I added 1GB ram in July 2004. It's been a perfect computer
since then.

OK, So Far So Good...

March 12th 2006 I booted the computer as usual. When I went to my home page
I was informed, by a set of keys in the task bar, I had 30 days left for
activation.

Now this is interesting, because usually:
- a fresh install of Windows gives you 30 days to activate
- an existing install that "dies" gives you 3 days to activate

So the 30-day either suggests:
- this was a fresh (or "repair") install
- this is not the standard Windows XP edition I know
- this is software other than Windows (e.g. MS Office?)
- this is a fake alert, e.g. by malware posing as WPA

I called Microsoft once again to activate. I don't think the tech
believed me when I told him what happened. The computer worked perfectly
again until 25 June 2006. I was informed I had 30 days left for activation. I
called MS once again, told the tech the problem. I was informed I had to
purchase an another license.

More detail on "I was informed I had to purchase an another license"?
You should not hear that, unless something in the conversation
indicated you were in breach of license terms (e.g. branded-OEM
edition of Windows installed on a different PC, or the same Windows
license installed on more than one PC).

I've had this copy of Win-XP in my locked file drawer the entire time. No
one has access to it other than my wife and she doesn't really care about
such things. I am confused.

Me2... it's not the pattern I've been seeing (i.e. 3-day period
spontaneously arising even though no hardware's changed).

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

Tip Of The Day:
To disable the 'Tip of the Day' feature...

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

[/QUOTE]
...etc.

What a pity this thread is degenerating into noise... because I
suspect there's a real issue going on here, judging from what I am
seeing within my own client base.

It's purely a Windows Product Activation issyue, and has nothing to do
with Windows Genuine Advantage.

The mileage I'm seeing prompts me to ask: Have there been any changes
pushed to code relevant to Product Activation monitoring of
per-component hardware changes since May 2006?

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

When your mind goes blank, remember to turn down the sound

 

[Chuck]

If all else fails,

You have the receipt from AAFES, the CD and the paperwork.
How can you have a "self built" Compaq computer? Might your problem involve
a Compaq OEM windows version?

Microsoft is in effect telling you that you have an unlicensed (counterfeit?
invalid?) copy of windows.
Use the counterfeit reporting process setup by Microsoft.
This should get someone's attention at Microsoft! And, likely get you a
usable windows key etc. directly from MS.

 

[GHalleck]

If all else fails,

You have the receipt from AAFES, the CD and the paperwork.
How can you have a "self built" Compaq computer? Might your problem involve
a Compaq OEM windows version?

Microsoft is in effect telling you that you have an unlicensed (counterfeit?
invalid?) copy of windows.
Use the counterfeit reporting process setup by Microsoft.
This should get someone's attention at Microsoft! And, likely get you a
usable windows key etc. directly from MS.

This thread has disintegrated somewhat. Nevertheless, it is possible
to have a "self-built" Compaq computer. As an ex-Compaq OEM-builder,
I still have a bin of spare parts that can be used to build an unit
from scratch. But good call about the version of XP that is being used.
Nobody outside of the programming staff at Microsoft really knows how
activation works. But it is within the realm of possibility that since
Compaq ID's its component parts, there is a range of possible checksums
that validates a Compaq OEM Windows XP PK. But OEM bios-locked computers
were not prevalent until 2004. OTOH, Microsoft did revise Windows Update
to scrutinize OEM machines more closely.