WindowsXP Activation

[Chris Richards]

Got a weird problem here.

A client of mine has a Gateway that came preloaded with WindowsXP. He ended
up having a problem with the motherboard. After a protracted discussion
with Gateway, they sent a new mobo that is completely different from the
original (apparently the original has been discontinued). Put the new mobo
in, and of course the product activation popped up telling me that I needed
to reactivate Windows. No problem, click on the 'Activate' button, and it
comes up and says "Windows has already been activated". WTF?

Can some please tell me how to clear this log-jam. WindowsXP is going to
stop running in 5 days. Every time I start the machine, it says I need to
reactivate Windows, and then tells me that Windows is already activated.
HELP!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Robert Moir]

Got a weird problem here.

A client of mine has a Gateway that came preloaded with WindowsXP.
He ended up having a problem with the motherboard. After a
protracted discussion with Gateway, they sent a new mobo that is
completely different from the original (apparently the original has
been discontinued). Put the new mobo in, and of course the product
activation popped up telling me that I needed to reactivate Windows.
No problem, click on the 'Activate' button, and it comes up and says
"Windows has already been activated". WTF?

Can some please tell me how to clear this log-jam. WindowsXP is
going to stop running in 5 days. Every time I start the machine, it
says I need to reactivate Windows, and then tells me that Windows is
already activated. HELP!

I'd suggest this is one for Gateway. By the sounds of things they've used a
"Bios Locked" OEM version of Windows and changing the motherboard of course
gives you a different bios.

Rob

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Chris:
Start/Run
Type "oobe/msoobe /a" ENTER
Follow the prompts
Otherwise:
Reboot to Safe Mode:
Reboot tapping F8 each second.
Select Safe Mode at the menu
Start/Run
Type "regsvr32.exe regwizc.dll" ENTER
Type "regsvr32.exe licdll.dll" ENTER
Reboot.

If the above fails, contact Gateway but a reinstallation of Windows XP
may be necessary.

 

[Chris Richards]

I'd suggest this is one for Gateway. By the sounds of things they've used
a

"Bios Locked" OEM version of Windows and changing the motherboard of course
gives you a different bios.

Thanks for the reply.

Ordinarilly, I'd agree with you, but Gateway is saying it's a Microsoft
problem and Microsoft is saying it's a Gateway problem. Funny thing is, my
client doesn't give a d*mn WHOSE problem it is, he just wants his computer
fixed.

(Sigh) This is why I hate dealing with these pre-built P.O.S. box people
(Dell, IBM, Compaq, Gateway, etc.). Everything in the machines is custom,
including the OS, which means that when something goes badly wrong and they
decide to wash their hands of it, there is nothing I can do. At least if I
had built the thing myself, I'd have some things I could try. Crud.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Activation is a Microsoft issue.
However if it was a bad installation, which this may be, it is a
Gateway issue.
Did you try what I suggested in my other post?