Windows product activation

[bert59]

I recently installed a free version of anti-virus called: AVG anti-virus,
on a friends lab top ( Toshiba Tecra PII 400 mhz, 256 ram, XP Pro 30 HD).
Now when I start the lab top I a get a message that reads the following:

Windows product activation"
A problems is preventing windows from acurately checking the license for this computer. Error code OX8007007E.

I can see the windows desktop in the background but cant go any further.
My options are hit "ok" or the little black "X" to close the window, either one logs me out and takes me back to the administrator sign on window. Where I hit ok and the I see the same message as above!
Also, I did re-install Windows XP pro on this machine along with a new 30 gb hard drive.
What am I being asked to activate, XP Pro ??? or AVG?? or both.

 

[goombawaho]

This matches your problem. Check out the solutions.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914232

 

[linney]

Toshiba Tecra PII 400 mhz, 256 ram", those specifications suggest that this machine may have problems loading AVG or even Windows XP and running efficiently. Do you get the same message from "Safe Mode with Networking", when AVG wouldn't be loading?

Is the version of XP a legit version, the message you are seeing refers to XP?

What Service Pack version is it?

 

[bert59]

TO: linney

I unistalled AVG from safe mode. I restarted the lab top in safemode with networking and i still get the same error message. wouldnt this tell me that the issues is with Xp not AVG ??!!!

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
Did you check the link goombawaho posted?

That error seems to fall into this:
Error code 0x800705aa, error code 0x8007007e, and error code 0x80004005
This error code occurs when the Dpcdll.dll file is missing or corrupted.





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

 

[bert59]

I copied the dpcdll.dll file from an existing PC with Win Xp and copied it into the correct palce on the labtop but now i get a new error message same verbage but different number; 0x8000400s. What now ?????

 

[sggaunt]

Do you have a version number for the AVG that you installed, AVG8.0 or from this week AVG8.5 Free by Grisoft are the only legitimate versions of this software, there are plenty of Malware products around with simular sounding names.


Steve: N.M.N.F.
If something is popular, it must be wrong: Mark Twain

 

[bert59]

TO; sggaunt

The version I installed was 7.0, however I unistalled it from safe mode. I tried a recomened remedy from Microsoft which instructed me to copy a file called dpcdll.dl from a working xp pc. Now i get a message with the same verbage but with a new number 0X8000400S.

I am looking at a XP issue or Avg issue.

 

[goombawaho]

It's definitely a Windows issue. Windows is thinking that its genuine advantage/validation software has been disabled (for nefarious purposes of NOT registering Windows) and MAY be caused by AVG.

You have to keep working down the solutions based on error message matches. As a quickie, before you get back to us, with the answer to my question below, you could run an SFC /SCANNOW to check for missing or corrupt system files.

0X8000400S this error message doesn't compute (only 5 matches in Google) - is it correct?

 

[linney]

Perhaps if you contact Microsoft Support via the telephone they may be able to sort out this problem for you by issuing you a new Product Code (not a Product Key), that's what they have done with any Activation type problems I have had.

Alternatively you could manually mess up the activation files on your computer so that it requests a new Activation, and then see if Activation fixes the problem?

"Step 4: Modify the registry to deactivate Windows"
You are prompted to activate Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 every time that you start the computer

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312295

Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Windows.

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

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

"Error Code: 0x80004005” error message when you install Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306081#appliesto

 

[cmeagan656]

The version I installed was 7.0.

If you recently installed it then it sounds like you installed a rogue version. AVG 8.0 Free and Paid versions have been out for over a year. Did you download it from free.avg.com or download.com? If installed from anywhere else it is likely malware.

After you get the system up and running I would definitely hit it with an online virus scanner, MalwareBytes, Spybot S&D, and run a Hijack This log and post the results.

Cheers.

 

[sggaunt]

7.0 would be a very old product, support for version 7.5 is about to end!

Steve: N.M.N.F.
If something is popular, it must be wrong: Mark Twain

 

[isaacgrover]

Hi bert59,

I have seen similar errors when customers' computers come in with a pirated copy of Windows XP. There is a specific anti-activation tool out there that now registers as a hacking tool within AVG Free. Unless that tool has been configured as an exception inside the AVG Control Center, recent definitions will flag that tool as a Potentially Unwanted Program and move it to the Virus Vault. Perhaps that tool has been used on your friend's laptop.

With that said, the correct thing to do would be to call Microsoft and purchase a legal product key for Windows XP on that system.


--
Isaac Grover, Owner
Quality Computer Services of River Falls, Wisconsin
Web:

http://www.qcs-rf.com

 

[goombawaho]

Now that I look at the specs of the laptop (Toshiba Tecra PII 400 mhz, 256 ram, XP Pro 30 HD) - here's the real solution.

Throw the computer out. It's only good for a doorstop!!!! That blows my mind A) still running that old piece of junk and B) running XP on it.