I cant get past the log in screen to activate windows after upgrading everything but the hard drive. I click yes to activate when the window prompts but it just logs out and brings me right back to the log in screen. I can actually get to the activation screen. Any ideas?
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activation pron
- Thread starter sshaw
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digital_exhaust
[H]ard|DCer of the Month - May 2008
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If I understand correctly, you upgraded all of your hardware with the exception of your hd, right?
If so, did you reinstall Windows as well?
If so, did you reinstall Windows as well?
While I can't speak directly to the exact cause of your issues, I have seen that situation before and it's usually related to a hacked version of Windows. More specifically, when someone tries to bypass the original activation using a tool called TweakNT which was used to bypass the 180 day time limit on some versions of Windows and could also be used to "convert" some versions from Server to Workstation, the error you specified was the result of a failed conversion:
You boot the computer, get to the activation warning, and then it goes into an infinite loop you can't get past.
Again, I'm not accusing you of anything, just saying that I've seen the issues before and that's what it reminds me of.
At worst, you need to reinstall Windows. Replacing "everything but the hard drive" would require such a thing. Sure, you can usually get past it, but if everything was replaced except the hard drive, it's basically an entirely new computer.
Do a reinstall and I bet all your troubles clear up.
Hope this helps...
You boot the computer, get to the activation warning, and then it goes into an infinite loop you can't get past.
Again, I'm not accusing you of anything, just saying that I've seen the issues before and that's what it reminds me of.
At worst, you need to reinstall Windows. Replacing "everything but the hard drive" would require such a thing. Sure, you can usually get past it, but if everything was replaced except the hard drive, it's basically an entirely new computer.
Do a reinstall and I bet all your troubles clear up.
Hope this helps...
Yes I replaced everything but the HD, was socket A set up so way out of date. I found this and tried it, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330136/en-us but when you go to recovery, Its just a command prompt. Afterwards, I now get a blue screen saying run chkdsk /f and will not go further. I tried to type this in the recovery screen but get nothing.Also, things worked for 2 days, I just waited till today to do the activation. Just didnt feel like messing with it cause Ive been working to late. Maybe I shouldnt have waited.
digital_exhaust
[H]ard|DCer of the Month - May 2008
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Your going to have to reinstall WIndows.
There are steps that can be taken to avoid this, but they must be done before hardware changes take place.
Windows regards your hardware changes as a "new system" so to speak, and therefore you will need to format and reinstall.
There are steps that can be taken to avoid this, but they must be done before hardware changes take place.
Windows regards your hardware changes as a "new system" so to speak, and therefore you will need to format and reinstall.
digital_exhaust
[H]ard|DCer of the Month - May 2008
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Yes, you will.
I am pretty sure that there is a way to boot from a Knoppix cd and back up the files on the drive that you want to keep. I don't know exactly how to do this, but I'm sure there are people here that do, search around and see what you can find.
I am pretty sure that there is a way to boot from a Knoppix cd and back up the files on the drive that you want to keep. I don't know exactly how to do this, but I'm sure there are people here that do, search around and see what you can find.
If you're a legit user with a legit Product Key and COA (Certificate of Authenticity) meaning the sticker on the machine most of the time you can always call Microsoft and explain the situation if you do the reinstall clean and still have troubles. Product Keys are only good for so many activations and hardware changes, then you simply must call to get a new one.
It's not a big issue, just call if necessary, explain what happened, provide the information they ask for and grab a pen to write down the new Product Key they provide.
Hope this helps also...
It's not a big issue, just call if necessary, explain what happened, provide the information they ask for and grab a pen to write down the new Product Key they provide.
Hope this helps also...
I have the activation code and coa from when I bought xp a few years ago. I started talking to microsoft today but they shut me off right at 3:00, thier shut down time. Maybe I'll give em a call tomorrow before I go further. Everythings legit so maybe they can gve me some direction with out having to do a fresh install. I wouldnt mind a fresh install, but the wifes not exactly happy about it.
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you can do a repair install (choose repair after you agree to EULA by hitting F8) and not lose anything providing that you have the same version on you xp cd as what was actually installed on your hard drive
[F]old|[H]ard
[F]old|[H]ard
I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea, so...digital_exhaust said:
You don't necessarily lose data with a reinstall. You can choose the option of "Leave the file system intact" before the file copy to your hard drive. And it's smart enough to realize that you may have an existing installation, so it can even overwrite that existing installation directory for you.