Web Hosting Talk : Other Forums : Computers and Peripherals : Windows Activation Problem

[rej1587]

Hi, I have a Macbook and I've spent the day installing Boot Camp and I have Windows up and running except I can't get the activation to work. I am using the windows cd from my parents laptop (Dell) and Microsoft refuses to accept the Product Key on the activation screen. This will only be the second computer that will install Windows with this key so I thought that was okay?

Any help appreciated.

[trau]

No it is not OK. The DELL laptop came with a OEM copy that is valid for that PC only. It is not legal to install it on a second PC, or even on another PC if the Dell laptop dies.

[sics]

You will need to purchase a new key for your windows installation (Copy of XP) Each license is only good for one computer.

Sorry

[rej1587]

Okay, I guess I'll be purchasing a new key then.

Thanks

[LancerBrad]

Just to pitch in some bullcrap; I reinstalled my Compaq machine the other day. It is an SP 1 install because it had a F10 function to restore the system. Now, the system tells me that it is not a valid copy of XP, and windows is trying to force me buy another license. I refuse to do this because my copy should still be valid. I was not told that I may or may not have a limited amount of restores. They told me anytime I needed to do so, hit that F10 at bootup. Well, now I can't do either. I have to put up with this thing nagging me all the time to buy another license.

[dkitchen]

Originally Posted by LancerBrad

Just to pitch in some bullcrap; I reinstalled my Compaq machine the other day. It is an SP 1 install because it had a F10 function to restore the system. Now, the system tells me that it is not a valid copy of XP, and windows is trying to force me buy another license. I refuse to do this because my copy should still be valid. I was not told that I may or may not have a limited amount of restores. They told me anytime I needed to do so, hit that F10 at bootup. Well, now I can't do either. I have to put up with this thing nagging me all the time to buy another license.

This is probably because it was installed with a Compaq OEM key that got leaked. Before the days of SP2 one key was used to install all machines for speed.

• Open up regedit and navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents
  
• Change the OOBETimer value to something different.
  
• Run %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
  
• Select telephone a representative
  
• Enter the serial on the OEM label on your machine. Reboot and this should fix it, if it doesn't give MS a call and they will issue you with a key.

Dan