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Unable to Activate Windows...

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pjkent

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Mar 15, 2007, 3:38:06 AM3/15/07
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Hi all,

I've upgraded from XP Home to XP Pro (both genuine media) via the upgrade
path on the XP Pro CD. This all went smoothly with no user intervention
required.

Windows started OK and then the warnings about Product activation were
displayed in the notification area. Clicking on the 'Activate Windows' key
from the Start Menu displays the dialogue:

"Microsoft Out of Box experience has encountered a problem and needs to
close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

Clicking on Microsoft Update:

"The requested lookup key was not found in any active activation context."

This message is also displayed when any address is entered in the address
bar, although clicking on the Internet icon takes me to my Home Page OK.

I'm now on a countdown timer until Windows will lock me out... what should
I do?

Pegasus (MVP)

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Mar 15, 2007, 3:40:20 AM3/15/07
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"pjkent" <pjk...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8A6ACDBA-4CF0-4085...@microsoft.com...

Ring the nearest Microsoft office.


pjkent

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Mar 15, 2007, 10:30:00 AM3/15/07
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Where can I find the number? The support numbers on the MS site are all
highly charged.

sbruce12453

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Mar 15, 2007, 11:30:02 AM3/15/07
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Open control panel then add remove programs
Uninstall Internet Explorer 7 or Windows Internet Explorer 7 which ever shows

If that does not show:
Open My computer
Click tools-->folder options-->click the view tab
Choose show hidden files and folders
Uncheck hide protected operating system files
Click apply then OK

Then go to My computer
Open C:\windows\ie7\spuninst
Double click on spuninst.ex

Pegasus (MVP)

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Mar 15, 2007, 5:07:44 PM3/15/07
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I disagree. I can call Microsoft in my country at no charge.
If it is a technical support call then I'm told exactly what
my options are.


"pjkent" <pjk...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:044C7CFB-006D-4150...@microsoft.com...

pjkent

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Mar 17, 2007, 5:29:00 PM3/17/07
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Thanks to both for the replies... after a call to Microsoft, it appears that
it was down to a conflict with IE7. Even though IE7 wasn't being used (IE6
was...), it looks like IE7 downloaded as part of a Windows Update. By
removing it and redoing the activation, all is well.

Pegasus (MVP)

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Mar 17, 2007, 6:37:44 PM3/17/07
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"pjkent" <pjk...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C7D2510C-8CFA-4EC7...@microsoft.com...

Thanks for the feedback. May I assume that this was not a
"highly charged" call to Microsoft?


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