XP activation 1

[sentmemail]

hi,
i recieved this popup on my startup.
It says :
" This copy of windows must be activated with Microsoft before you can log on.
Do you want to activate Windows now?"
i tried clicking "yes" and "No" it does not allow me to logon.
the PC is a standalone.
any help?
thanks

 

[smah]

For a good explanation of Windows Product Activation (WPA), see this article:

http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm

Did you ever activate it? How long has it been installed?

 

[sentmemail]

is there a way to get around it?

 

[rew]

You can set WindowsXP to assume the online registration has been completed.

Run Regedit
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows NT \ CurrentVersion
Create a String Value called RegDone
Give it a value of 1

 

[sentmemail]

will it still prompt me for activation at a later stage if i set it to 1?

 

[smah]

Registration and Activation are not the same. In order to curb piracy, MS has implemented WPA. Registration is optional, Activation is not. Retail versions of XP must be activated within the alloted time from (30 or 60 days).

 

[rew]

if all goes to plan it fools the computer to thinking that activation is completed so you will have a working copy. found this out on this site

http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windowsxp_tips.htm

its about halfway down the page

 

[smah]

This is for Registration, not Activation.

 

[linney]

Until you Activate XP you may only have access via Safe Mode. You might have to contact Microsoft and do the activation over the phone.

http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020131S0005

302878 - Frequently Asked Questions about Microsoft Product Activation

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302878&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH#4f

 

[sentmemail]

how do i activate without calling Microsoft?

 

[smah]

I don't know if you can now. You could try an 'in place upgrade'

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

After doing this, you might be prompted to activate, but I'm not sure.