XP Home Activation after upgrade.

[Guest]

I've upgraded the hardware on an OEM PC (MB & CPU), therefore I had to boot
from the XP Home disk to "repair" the XP installation. This appeared to
complete successfully (fully legitimate XP Home OEM disk and license).

On restart the PC is refusing to allow log-on until the XP is activated,
however when I click YES to Activate windows the desktop "blinks" on then the
system immediately logs off (saving settings message etc) and returns to the
user log on screen.

I cannot get into safe mode etc since the system will not allow any form of
log on until it is activated - but it will not bring up the activation page
when requested!

Could do with some help here guys.

 

[Guest]

PC's are supposed to be logical and consistant...Huh.

Iv'e just tried again to log on and I can get into safe mode, so perhaps
ther may be an "out" to this prob - please a simple reg edit or something.

Thanks.

denis.

 

[Bob Harris]

OEM licenses are usually good for one, and only one, set of hardware, the
one upon whihc it was orginally installed. The practical definition of
"hardware" is usually the motherboard. Chnage that, and you have a new PC,
at least as far as activation is concerned.

In contrast, a retail license can be transferred any number of times, even
to new hardware. The only restriction is that it is installed on only
computer at a time.

If you paid something like $200 for Home or $300 for Pro, that is likely a
full retail license. But, if it was under $100 for Home or under $200 for
Pro, that was likely an OEM license.

Thus, even if you get the PC to try on-line activating, that should fail.
You should then be given a phone number to call, and the odds are not good
that the person on the other end will give you the required code, if you say
"I upgraded the motherboard." However, if you say that you "had to replace
the motherboard becasue it died", you might win some sympathy.

One of these may get you someone at Microsoft who can help:

1-888-652-2342
1-888-571-2048

 

[Guest]

I've completed dozens of MB/CPU/VGA etc hardware upgrades on PC's I maintain.
Occasionally I have to activate by phone, most times I can auto activate.
However in this case I am not getting to the activation screen - that is the
problem! (see original post.)

 

[Gordon]

OEM licenses are usually good for one, and only one, set of hardware, the
one upon whihc it was orginally installed. The practical definition of
"hardware" is usually the motherboard. Chnage that, and you have a new
PC, at least as far as activation is concerned.

Which has NO effect on activation at all, as there is no mention of
Motherboard in the EULA. Just activate by phone.

In contrast, a retail license can be transferred any number of times, even
to new hardware. The only restriction is that it is installed on only
computer at a time.

An OEM can also be re-installed as many times as the OP likes, on the same
computer. There is NO legally-tested definition of when a computer changes
out of all recognition so that in effect it becomes a new one.

If you paid something like $200 for Home or $300 for Pro, that is likely a
full retail license. But, if it was under $100 for Home or under $200 for
Pro, that was likely an OEM license.

Thus, even if you get the PC to try on-line activating, that should fail.
You should then be given a phone number to call, and the odds are not good
that the person on the other end will give you the required code, if you
say
"I upgraded the motherboard."

Rubbish. They do NOT ask whether you have changed any part of the machine.

However, if you say that you "had to
replace the motherboard becasue it died", you might win some sympathy.

Again rubbish - all they ask is whether the OS is installed on only one
machine....

 

[Gordon]

PC's are supposed to be logical and consistant...Huh.

Iv'e just tried again to log on and I can get into safe mode, so perhaps
ther may be an "out" to this prob - please a simple reg edit or something.

Thanks.

has the 30 days for activation expired? If so then just activate over the
phone.

 

[Guest]

Guys, the actual activation is not the problem I have at the moment!

The problem is: After selecting the user from the log on screen, I get the
"windows must be activated" dialogue, I select YES to activate. The system
then momenterilly displays the desktop background then IMMEDIATELY returns to
the user log on screen without displaying the activation window(s).

Once I can get to the activation screen then I can go through the process of
auto activating or phoning through.

Regarding the limitations of OEM licenses: I live in the UK, I believe the
EU commission required Microsoft to make the OEM licence software more
tollerant of hardware upgrades (for EU customers). I have significantly
upgraded dozens of PC's and had no problems re-activating OEM software. BUT I
NEVER HAD A PC THE WOULDN'T EVEN SHOW THE ACTIVATION SCREEN!

 

[Guest]

I got it sorted.

I booted from the CD and re-ran the repair process. The activation was
completed automatically at the end of the XPH re-install. Don't know why it
failed the first time but a solution is a solution.

Annoying eh' if you live in a restricted trade zone like the states!

Denis.