Activation email address (had to use different cd)

[poachedeggs]

My sister's laptop had become sluggish and was crashing so today after various temporary measures in the past I reinstalled Windows XP 32 bit. The laptop is years old and she doesn't have the CD or has lost it. I used my disc as it too was 'Home' version but the key is not being accepted (at a guess because my disc is SP3 and there's was either vanilla XP or SP2 or complicated by being an OEM install), and I've double-checked it's right - initially I'd put to B's where there should have been 8's. I've used an email address for MS before to activate after problems but I can't find this emaila ddress now. Can someone else tell me it? I remember a MS staff member with a South American-sounding name. No point trying ot ring the automated line as I can see that not working and at high cost, also with the phone company I'm and my package with that number isn't cheap.

I don't want to have to ask her and her family to embrace Linux just yet and I've spent three hours so far rescuing photos, installing and successfully hunting down drivers.

Thanks for your help.

[Marky]

Wow, so long since a thread in this forum :D

First off, be careful when you use the term re-insall as technically that is referring to this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978788. You are actually trying to perform a clean install where you will have to re-install all your programs and restore your data. 

Unfortunately with XP there is at least 5 differnt types of CDs so it easy to put in the wrong product key. There are the following:

- XP Home (OEM) - common with laptops

- XP Home (Retail)

- XP Pro (OEM) - common with laptops

- XP Pro (retail) 

- XP Enterprise edtion (no activation required). 

My guess from your description is that the laptop is running XP Home (OEM) and you are trying to use that key with your XP Home (retail) disk. 

Two ways to sort your problem:

Easy way: track down an XP home (OEM) key. You should be able to find one on the web (look for one that hastnt been blacklisted). I doubt it will activate over Internet but most of them will activate if you do it over the phone (its a free call to Microsoft Activation Centre) in Australia. Just make sure you say you have uninstalled the software on the previous computer. If you honestly can't find a key, I may be able to e-mail you one as I have a few keys here. Not sure how I e-mail you directly in this forum but. 

Harder but cool way: Take a look at this thread http://www.mydigitallife.info/how-to-change-windows-xp-version-between-retail-oem-and-volume-license-channel/ You will want to create an image of your present disk using imageburn etc. Once you have the .iso file, you will need to edit the setupp.ini file to include the correct info for an OEM version. The Pid number you use depends on what service pack is installed on your disk:

XP RTM OEM  = 82503OEM

XP SP2 OEM  = 55277OEM

XP SP3 OEM = OEM: 76487OEM

Your next question might be what service pack version is installed on my disk?

 

Answer = Explore your XP disk and look for either of these files:

WIN51IP.SP3 = SP3 disk

WIN51IC.SP2 = SP2 disk

WIN51IP.SP1 = SP1 disk

WIN51IP = RTM (no SP installed)

Once you figure out your service pack, you can then choose the correct Pid number from above (refer to article). After you have edited your setupp.ini file, burn the edited .iso back to cd. Thats it, you just created a Windows XP Home (OEM) edition disk. 

Probably a whole loe easier to track down an OEM Home key but they are your two choices.

Good luck !!!!!

Rule 1: The XP version of the disk must match the XP version installed on the laptop. There are three version types: Home, Pro and Enterprise editions. 

[Marky]

Oh i forgot to mention, in order to edit the .iso file you woould need to use a program like isobuster. That will alow you to directly edit the setupp.ini file contained within the .iso file.

[Marky]

And last bit was supposed to read " it would be easier to track down an XP Home (retail) key, to match your disk which is presumably a retail version. Browse your disk and look for the setupp.ini file and confirm that it is. 

[Dora Smith]

You can just phone Microsoft to activate your Windows.   You have 30 days or something to do it.  It just means to register it.

 

Dora

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[Dora Smith]

Oh- it’s a problem with the key.

 

Try calling the manufacturer of the computer.   She should be able to get the backup CD, and/or the key.   She might have to pay for it.

 

Dora

 

From: Marky

Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 6:07 AM

To: wind...@googlegroups.com

Subject: [WindowsXP] Re: Activation email address (had to use different cd)

 

Oh i forgot to mention, in order to edit the .iso file you woould need to use a program like isobuster. That will alow you to directly edit the setupp.ini file contained within the .iso file.

On Monday, April 22, 2013 11:52:55 PM UTC+8, poachedeggs wrote:

[Marky]

lol Dora

r u actually serious?

Good luck getting an XP disk from anywhere, let alone from a laptop manufacturer? Besides, laptop manufacturers normally only provide full recovery disks with the O/S pre-installed (but for the last 8 years or so, image has been placed on the hard disk itself).

Although that does raise one point, is there a recovery image on the hard drive in question. If so, the OP should be considering that option. 

If not, he has two options:

1) apply correct product key to match his Win XP Home disk (presumably a retail version).

2) make his own disk following my instructions.