windows xp home activation

[Guest]

I am sure this question is asked a lot but I need some help right now.Last
week my pc malfunctioned so I re-installed everything. Now the windows
activation window keeps popping up tell me I have only so many days to
activate. I have placed the product key off the windows documentation into
the spaces but I always get the message "unauthorised product key" I am at a
loss as to what to do as I am no computer whiz and I cant afford not to have
my pc running for my small business.
Is there a way I can get a new product key? Or do I have to buy a new or
upgrade version of XP home edition? I have only 16 days left to activate..so
I am assuming my pc will be unoperable after this time without activation
Please help

 

[kim]

Does it not give a phone number to ring to activate it?

 

[DL]

Did you change any hardware?
Is it a retail edition of winxp or one supplied with your PC?
Are you missreading 0 O, B 8 etc

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am sure this question is asked a lot but I need some help right now.Last
week my pc malfunctioned so I re-installed everything. Now the windows
activation window keeps popping up tell me I have only so many days to
activate. I have placed the product key off the windows documentation into
the spaces but I always get the message "unauthorised product key"

This is confusing. Where and when, precisely, are you entering the
Product Key? The only time the Product Key is used is very early in the
installation; you are well beyond that point if you're at the activation
screen.

I am at a
loss as to what to do as I am no computer whiz and I cant afford not to have
my pc running for my small business.
Is there a way I can get a new product key? Or do I have to buy a new or
upgrade version of XP home edition?

No need to buy anything.

I have only 16 days left to activate..so
I am assuming my pc will be unoperable after this time without activation
Please help

What happens when you follow the on-screen instructions to activate by
telephone?


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Guest]

I have had to do this in the past. Somewhere with your Windows XP disk is a
label with 4 different 5 digit groups (letters and numbers mixed together).
This is your product key. If you can't find it, then I don't know what you
can do other than contact Microsoft...

 

[M.I.5¾]

I am sure this question is asked a lot but I need some help right now.Last
week my pc malfunctioned so I re-installed everything. Now the windows
activation window keeps popping up tell me I have only so many days to
activate. I have placed the product key off the windows documentation into
the spaces but I always get the message "unauthorised product key" I am
at a
loss as to what to do as I am no computer whiz and I cant afford not to
have
my pc running for my small business.
Is there a way I can get a new product key? Or do I have to buy a new or
upgrade version of XP home edition? I have only 16 days left to
activate..so
I am assuming my pc will be unoperable after this time without activation
Please help
--

Go to your last back up and find the two files:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wpa.dbl &
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wpa.bak

Copy them to the same location on your reinstalled system. Provided your
hardware has not changed by more than the permitted amount, then on reboot,
you should have an activated installation.

You do have a backup don't you?

If not, you have no alternative but to use the telephone activation number
that XP should offer you. It's a bit laborious, but it should work.

 

[M.I.5¾]

This is confusing. Where and when, precisely, are you entering the
Product Key? The only time the Product Key is used is very early in the
installation; you are well beyond that point if you're at the activation
screen.

I think the key that Windows is asking for is the very long key (IIRC around
40 digits or so) that is provided when you reactivate by telephone.