Windows XP reactivation

MarkCameron · External Since: Mar 20, 2007 Posts: 2

I have recently installed a new motherboard in my computer, so naturally I
got the message as I'm booting up saying that I need to reactivate. Well, I'm
trying to do this, but I am unable to boot up the Window for activation and
there is no way that I know of that can reactivate. I have my product key and
everything, I just can't input it for reactivation. Help would be greatly
appreciated.

peter · External Since: Feb 05, 2006 Posts: 556

You need to do a "repair" installation........boot from the CD...go for New
Installation....the choice will come up Repair or new...chose R for Repair.
If on the other hand that OS is an OEM version that came pre
bundled/installed on a system it could be tied to the original Mobo and you
are SOL.
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Wind...%20XP%2

peter
"MarkCameron" <MarkCameron.RemoveThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A1683A2D-21EF-402C-BF84-EC3C02899C41@microsoft.com...
>I have recently installed a new motherboard in my computer, so naturally I
> got the message as I'm booting up saying that I need to reactivate. Well,
> I'm
> trying to do this, but I am unable to boot up the Window for activation
> and
> there is no way that I know of that can reactivate. I have my product key
> and
> everything, I just can't input it for reactivation. Help would be greatly
> appreciated.

MarkCameron · External Since: Mar 20, 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for the help, but it still didn't solve my problem. When I type
"oobe/msoobe /a" into Run, the Windows Actication windows pop up momentarily,
then disappears. Any suggestion of what to do?

"peter" wrote:

> You need to do a "repair" installation........boot from the CD...go for New
> Installation....the choice will come up Repair or new...chose R for Repair.
> If on the other hand that OS is an OEM version that came pre
> bundled/installed on a system it could be tied to the original Mobo and you
> are SOL.
> http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Wind...%20XP%2
>
> peter
> "MarkCameron" <MarkCameron.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A1683A2D-21EF-402C-BF84-EC3C02899C41@microsoft.com...
> >I have recently installed a new motherboard in my computer, so naturally I
> > got the message as I'm booting up saying that I need to reactivate. Well,
> > I'm
> > trying to do this, but I am unable to boot up the Window for activation
> > and
> > there is no way that I know of that can reactivate. I have my product key
> > and
> > everything, I just can't input it for reactivation. Help would be greatly
> > appreciated.
>
>
>

peter · External Since: Feb 05, 2006 Posts: 556

Did you do the repair installation????.........
peter

"MarkCameron" <MarkCameron.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:20B219AF-9F34-4AF4-A52E-90617DC99F26@microsoft.com...
> Thanks for the help, but it still didn't solve my problem. When I type
> "oobe/msoobe /a" into Run, the Windows Actication windows pop up
> momentarily,
> then disappears. Any suggestion of what to do?
>
> "peter" wrote:
>
>> You need to do a "repair" installation........boot from the CD...go for
>> New
>> Installation....the choice will come up Repair or new...chose R for
>> Repair.
>> If on the other hand that OS is an OEM version that came pre
>> bundled/installed on a system it could be tied to the original Mobo and
>> you
>> are SOL.
>> http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Wind...%20XP%2
>>
>> peter
>> "MarkCameron" <MarkCameron.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:A1683A2D-21EF-402C-BF84-EC3C02899C41@microsoft.com...
>> >I have recently installed a new motherboard in my computer, so naturally
>> >I
>> > got the message as I'm booting up saying that I need to reactivate.
>> > Well,
>> > I'm
>> > trying to do this, but I am unable to boot up the Window for activation
>> > and
>> > there is no way that I know of that can reactivate. I have my product
>> > key
>> > and
>> > everything, I just can't input it for reactivation. Help would be
>> > greatly
>> > appreciated.
>>
>>
>>

peter · External Since: Feb 05, 2006 Posts: 556

AFTER you have run the "repair" installation you should be able to access
activation under start/all programs/system tools/activate XP.
To activate Windows by phone
1.. The Windows Product Activation Wizard is located in System Tools. To
open a system tools item, click Start, point to All Programs, point to
Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click the appropriate icon.,
then click Activate Windows.
2.. Follow the activation instructions that appear on your screen.
Notes

a.. Alternatively, you can open the Windows Product Activation wizard by
clicking Start, then Run, and type in "oobe/msoobe /a".
b.. If you do not have a modem or an Internet connection, you can activate
your copy of Windows by calling a Microsoft customer service representative.
Activating Windows is fast and does not require your name or other personal
information.
c.. If you have not yet activated Windows XP, you can initiate activation
at any time by clicking the Windows Activation icon in the system tray. Once
you have activated Windows XP, this icon disappears from the system tray.If
you choose not to activate now, reminders will appear periodically during
the next 30 days. After that time has expired, you will be required to
activate in order to continue to use Windows.
peter

"MarkCameron" <MarkCameron DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:20B219AF-9F34-4AF4-A52E-90617DC99F26@microsoft.com...
> Thanks for the help, but it still didn't solve my problem. When I type
> "oobe/msoobe /a" into Run, the Windows Actication windows pop up
> momentarily,
> then disappears. Any suggestion of what to do?
>
> "peter" wrote:
>
>> You need to do a "repair" installation........boot from the CD...go for
>> New
>> Installation....the choice will come up Repair or new...chose R for
>> Repair.
>> If on the other hand that OS is an OEM version that came pre
>> bundled/installed on a system it could be tied to the original Mobo and
>> you
>> are SOL.
>> http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Wind...%20XP%2
>>
>> peter
>> "MarkCameron" <MarkCameron DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:A1683A2D-21EF-402C-BF84-EC3C02899C41@microsoft.com...
>> >I have recently installed a new motherboard in my computer, so naturally
>> >I
>> > got the message as I'm booting up saying that I need to reactivate.
>> > Well,
>> > I'm
>> > trying to do this, but I am unable to boot up the Window for activation
>> > and
>> > there is no way that I know of that can reactivate. I have my product
>> > key
>> > and
>> > everything, I just can't input it for reactivation. Help would be
>> > greatly
>> > appreciated.
>>
>>
>>

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Bruce Chambers · External Since: Jun 26, 2005 Posts: 6836

MarkCameron wrote:
> I have recently installed a new motherboard in my computer, so naturally I
> got the message as I'm booting up saying that I need to reactivate. Well, I'm
> trying to do this, but I am unable to boot up the Window for activation and
> there is no way that I know of that can reactivate. I have my product key and
> everything, I just can't input it for reactivation. Help would be greatly
> appreciated.

Normally, and assuming a retail license (many factory-installed OEM
installations are BIOS-locked to a specific chipset and therefore are
*not* transferable to a new motherboard - check yours before starting),
unless the new motherboard is virtually identical (same chipset, same
IDE controllers, same BIOS version, etc.) to the one on which the WinXP
installation was originally performed, you'll need to perform a repair
(a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, at the very least:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

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

The "why" is quite simple, really, and has nothing to do with
licensing issues, per se; it's a purely technical matter, at this point.
You've pulled the proverbial hardware rug out from under the OS. (If
you don't like -- or get -- the rug analogy, think of it as picking up a
Cape Cod style home and then setting it down onto a Ranch style
foundation. It just isn't going to fit.) WinXP, like Win2K before it,
is not nearly as "promiscuous" as Win9x when it comes to accepting any
old hardware configuration you throw at it. On installation it
"tailors" itself to the specific hardware found. This is one of the
reasons that the entire WinNT/2K/XP OS family is so much more stable
than the Win9x group.

As always when undertaking such a significant change, back up any
important data before starting.

This will also probably require re-activation, unless you have a
Volume Licensed version of WinXP Pro installed. If it's been more than
120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most
likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's
been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

--

Bruce Chambers

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