Windows Pro activation problem

[Viewer]

Recently I had to install a new Motherboard on my computer
that had a different chipset to my old one. Naturally I
had to repair the Windows Pro installation to make it
function with the new chipset. However after repair
Windows Pro demanded that I activate it. As far as I know
you don't have to activate windows pro but attempted to do
so anyway. But the little computer voice in the activation
centre just said, "This product is not supported." which
makes sense since windows pro is not suppose to require
activation. Can anyone shed light on this?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If your version of Windows XP was preinstalled by a computer
manufacturer, then you'll need to replace your motherboard with
an identical model motherboard. Your OEM Windows XP license
is tied to the exact hardware configuration it was originally shipped
with.

Changing a Motherboard or Moving a Hard Drive with XP Installed
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/moving_xp.html

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

Windows Product Activation (WPA) on Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Alex Nichol]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| Recently I had to install a new Motherboard on my computer
| that had a different chipset to my old one. Naturally I
| had to repair the Windows Pro installation to make it
| function with the new chipset. However after repair
| Windows Pro demanded that I activate it. As far as I know
| you don't have to activate windows pro but attempted to do
| so anyway. But the little computer voice in the activation
| centre just said, "This product is not supported." which
| makes sense since windows pro is not suppose to require
| activation. Can anyone shed light on this?

 

[Steve C. Ray]

I don't know where you got the idea that Pro doesn't have to be activated.
It does. If it came installed on the computer (OEM) was probably
pre-activated. What version of XP Pro do you have?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

Recently I had to install a new Motherboard on my computer
that had a different chipset to my old one. Naturally I
had to repair the Windows Pro installation to make it
function with the new chipset. However after repair
Windows Pro demanded that I activate it. As far as I know
you don't have to activate windows pro but attempted to do
so anyway. But the little computer voice in the activation
centre just said, "This product is not supported." which
makes sense since windows pro is not suppose to require
activation. Can anyone shed light on this?

No, it is not at all true that "pro is not suppose[d] to require
activation." All versions require activation except for some OEM
versions which are BIOS-locked to the computer they are installed
on, and copies that are sold with a volume license.

 

[Viewer]

*dangs head on table* It came pre-installed and thus pre-
activated.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Recently I had to install a new Motherboard on my computer
that had a different chipset to my old one. Naturally I
had to repair the Windows Pro installation to make it
function with the new chipset. However after repair
Windows Pro demanded that I activate it. As far as I know
you don't have to activate windows pro but attempted to do
so anyway. But the little computer voice in the activation
centre just said, "This product is not supported." which
makes sense since windows pro is not suppose to require
activation.

Windows XP Pro *does* require activation. What does not is a volume
license version. You may have one of the pirated copies of that,
referred to in warez circles as 'Corporate version', which is being
recognised by the center

 

[Bob Harris]

If you have the full retail version of XP professional, activation is
required, and should procede smoothly, or offer you an 800 number to call.
But, if you have an OEM version, or something you "borrowed" from work, then
contact your PC maker, or IT group at work for the proper way to validate
the license. However, note that most OEMs (e.g., Gateway, Dell, Compaq)
will NOT support you, if you are not using their hardware, including the
motherboard. In the end, you may need to but a full retail license (about
$300), with which you should be able to do a second repair and then activate
it.