XP Home account problems Redo

[JustMe]

I never was able to fix the problems associated with the unresponsive User
Account applet in XP home so I called Dell and they sent me a new
reinstallation disk even though the system was a year and a half out of
warranty. Not too shabby. Anyway I ran the install disk in repair mode, when
I got to the end, it asked if I wanted to register and then if I wanted to
install networking. I chose no for both. When I logged in, the network was
there and I have connectivity. I also checked the User Accounts Applet and
it works properly so I guess I can assume the repair went reasonably well

A couple of things concern me:

Registering for one. Do I need to register? If so, How do I force the
registering rather than wait.

The second issue is XP never asked for the software key. I've never used the
"Repair" process before so I don't know what's expected. Many web sites that
describe the process seem to believe I need to enter the software key again.
Is that really necessary?

I'd like to get these issues out of the way before I return the laptop to
him and he won't know what to do if this stuff starts showing up.

 

[Sharon F]

Registering for one. Do I need to register? If so, How do I force the
registering rather than wait.

No. Registration is optional. It's "activation" that is required for retail
copies and some OEM copies of XP. It's very possible that your Dell copy of
XP is pre-activated.

All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Activate Windows. If your copy is
already activated, the screen that appears will tell you that. If it is not
activated, follow the on screen prompts to complete.

How to activate Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890/en-us

 

[JustMe]

No. Registration is optional. It's "activation" that is required for retail
copies and some OEM copies of XP. It's very possible that your Dell copy of
XP is pre-activated.

Oh, thanks. Didn't catch that. I should know better. It may be a moot
point now as the "repair" didn't go as well as I'd thought. While it
fixed the User Accounts applet I find Microsoft installer won't
install. Can't write to the registry multiple times and continuous
requests to reboot. I just may be forced to reinstall and recover all
the toys manually. This is like chasing your tail.