Windows Activation Problem

[dberg35]

I have a company pc that has been in use for 2 years and now won't let anyone login because it says need to activate windows. When I try to do so it says can't connect to activation server. After 2 years of use why would this happen?

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
What hardware changes were made to it?
Can you boot in Safe Mode and run some virus scans?




To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[trojanman]

Did you recently upgrade it to SP2?

 

[linney]

Can you run System Restore from Safe Mode? Do you have a recent Backup that you can restore from?

Xp Keeps requiring to be activated
thread779-968140

XP Activation Loop
thread779-1004125

An easy to follow recovery console description when unable to start computer due to corrupt registry.

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

This is a layman's version of Q307545 in simple language.


If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[dberg35]

The answer to all you replies is no and it won't let me boot in sage mode. I did however put in my pc as a second drive and no virus was found.

 

[linney]

So all you are really left with is what is available via the Recovery Console or a repair install.

 

[trojanman]

Do you have the original oem key?

 

[dberg35]

Tried to repair install but still got the same problem, but not sure what can be done with the Recovery Console. Yes I do have the original oem key, so I guess my next step is to do a clean install.

 

[linney]

A repair install just by its nature may be carrying across from the damaged install corruption that is in in your registry. This following procedure is a way of repairing the registry with an earlier non corrupt version.

An easy to follow recovery console description when unable to start computer due to corrupt registry.

http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

This is a layman's version of Q307545 in simple language.

Also Recovery Console will allow you to run ChkDsk /r and give you access to other commands such as FixBoot and FixMbr.

How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

I agree with you about all that remains is a format and clean install if the above are no use to you.

You could look at this thread if there is valuable data you wish to try and save.

Cannot logon to winxp...losing lots of valuable documents
thread779-975236

 

[trojanman]

You can acivate by phone.

To activate Windows by phoneThe 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.
Follow the activation instructions that appear on your screen.
Notes

Alternatively, you can open the Windows Product Activation wizard by clicking Start, then Run, and type in "oobe/msoobe /a".
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.
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.

 

[dberg35]

Yes that can be done, but this pc has been in service for over 2 years and now it asks for activation and it won't do it on line.

 

[tlcscousin]

You could check the network card and if you have a realtek (older one) put it in the machine and see if it can then activate.
I had that issue when my onboard gigabyte nic went south.

 

[Kemisco]

Hello dberg35,

trojanman mentioned activating your XP Pro by using the telephone, and it looks like you said that you could. It's a hassle, but you can enter the numbers with your touch-tone phone and not speak a single word or number--even though it's a voice recognition program running at Microsoft. It's worth a try. It would be nice to know what caused your glitch, but at the same time, you may be able to activate it and stumble on the cause later.

Kemisco

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