Comments for Why can't I activate Windows XP?

Comment from Sam Trophy on 2008-11-19

2008-11-19T22:51:02Z

Thanks Leo! That did the trick.

I was given an HP a6500f desktop that was reloaded with XP Pro but never activated. It had been sitting in a closet for over 60 days, hence the forced activation. Booted into Safe Mode, loaded the NIC driver and was off and running.

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Comment from jim on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T14:44:16Z

would you believe i had same problem today. Thanks to you I put old network card in and it went online and activated in seconds...Thanks, you saved me an afternoon

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Comment from Cookboy on 2008-10-15

2008-10-15T09:12:54Z

Thanks Leo. This worked even on XP Prof with SP2. I also added an administrator password for the first time and got this problem for the first time.

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Comment from Cameron on 2008-09-27

2008-09-28T01:43:13Z

Leo! This saved my evening! You rock!

I had basically the same exact scenario. And solved it basically the same exact way!

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Comment from Ole Krahn on 2008-09-23

2008-09-23T16:26:15Z

I had exactly the same problem. Found Leo's advice and tried manual install of netcard-drivers. This allowed me manual activation by phone, but the result was the evil logon/activation loop: "you must activate before logon/XP already activated/you must activate.. "

Microsoft of course went directly into parrot-mode: try reinstalling, try reinstalling, try ....

The Windows-repair method didn't work - the unplug-the-network-cable didn't work - the try-another-legit-cd-method didn't work and the how-to-login-to-expired-windows method didn't work (the Narrator utility only exists in english language XP).

At the end, I found out that the solution was exactly the same as mentioned in the article by Barry at May 19, 2008 7:22 AM:

1. When you install don't add a password for the administrator-account when asked - leave blank.

2. Don't name the machine just accept the default name that is in the box.

That did the trick. For the first time I wasn't forced to activate before I could log in, and I could happily install network- and other drivers and activate XP by the internet.

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Comment from AcEtEcH on 2008-09-06

2008-09-06T15:16:30Z

Found a perfect way past this problem as i had repaired a pc for a neighbour whose installation of windows on her laptop became corrupted.

The usual fixboot / fixmbr all failed to work but she needed to keep the info and files that she had on her laptop so a full installation was out of the question so did a repair install of windows which went ok apart from 1 lock up.

Was then met with the you must acticate windows before you can log on.....
as per the most of you i could not connect as the drivers for the ethernet or wireless were yet installed,
so i used the tip from this site and it works 100%
http://tomorrowtimes.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-to-login-to-expired-windows.html
hope it can help anyone else stuck with the same problem.

I dont know if it's a legitimate way - but it works
and to me - thats all that matters
especially if the OS your asked to fix is legitimate version

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Comment from Ian Grieve on 2008-08-20

2008-08-20T08:17:31Z

Certainly a LAN Card CAN have something to do with the missing Activation ID problem, however as a system builder, it is unusual for us to try and register Windows before we install the drivers anyway and virtually all the time, that works.

The missing link here is finding out what triggers the immediate activation screen on startup, rather than the usual 30 days. It does happen with mismatched versions of Windows and Product Keys, multiple activations for the same number and problems reading the Windows CD.

The most annoying part of this is that the legitimate owners and repairers get the problem and the pirates get cheats that do not suffer the same fates. Microsoft needs a better plan.

Thank you Leo for your article, it certainly assisted me as one of the posters had my solution, a different legitimate CD. My WinXP Pro SP2 CD with its Product Key had the fault, yet a new WinXP Pro SP3 CD with my Win XP Pro SP2 Product Key didn't. That stops piracy?

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Comment from herman on 2008-08-15

2008-08-15T22:59:05Z

Updated: Problem solved. Unplugging the network cable, as per earlier post. And also, I used another XP OEM CD. Both CD's are original as bought in the package disks.
Somehow I think Leo has a point, the network drivers / Active LAN has something to do with this. In my case: on a G31M Gigabyte mobo.

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Comment from herman on 2008-08-15

2008-08-15T22:37:35Z

I just had the same crap of this activation stuff, and the loop after doing the network driver fix and online activation. Question : when you installed XP, was your LAN cable plugged in or not? Mine was the 1st time. Now its out.... maybe it makes a difference ???

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Comment from Dennis on 2008-08-09

2008-08-10T05:38:32Z

Hi
I had this problem. I found the network was ok put the sound card driver was not installed. I installed it in safe mode and rebooted. Then it once again told me I had to activate it. This time it still would not do it over the internet but the phone worked. But after I rebooted I get the "need to activate" again. If I click yes I get a message that the computer is already activated. I get caught in a loop. I went to MS and ran through their fix. No good. I gave up. I am now re-formating and will try once again to install. IF this doesn't work I may go visit the MAC store.

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Comment from Shawn on 2008-08-07

2008-08-07T10:06:33Z

Just wanted to add how I fixed my problem. I did an XP repair install over the fubared installation. Since it already had the NIC drivers installed, this time I was able to log in with no problem. I ended up getting home at around 23:00... *sigh*

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Comment from Shawn on 2008-08-05

2008-08-05T17:29:50Z

I just went through the whole rigamarow you wrote about above to activate XP over the telephone... only to have it successfully finish and then tell me right afterwards I needed to activate my windows to be able to log in. Thats right, the telephone activation finished with the "Thanks for activating!" screen and then it went into a loop.

Its now 19:27 and I have to have this PC up and running by tomorrow morning. I'm not pleased to say the very least.

And the kicker is, I'm using a brand new XP CD with the code it came with.

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Comment from Terry Kensok on 2008-07-17

2008-07-17T14:08:01Z

Leo,

Thanks for this article, it now gives me renewed hope! I wasted an entire vacation day yesterday trying to re-install Windows XP. The begining story was different. My PC refused to let me install service pack 2, which lead to issues with Norton and I suspect some other software abnormalities. I had tried re-installing the software previously but the re-install would not accept my product key. I suspected it had something to do with the fact that the machine was built at tech school. So, I forked out the money and bought a new install disk and product key. The first attempt appeared to work but Windows ran extremely slow. When I tried to do a windows update, it failed installing service pack 3. I tried installing xp again and I got similar results as you did. The third attempt, I decided to to a complete reload rather than the option to repair the existing install. Same problem, I could not activate with the network card and when I tried the phone option no installation ID. However, I did find that if I attempted a network install then selected telephone at the fail screen, then an installation ID would display. I then did the phone activiation and it accepted the number provided but when I attempted to log in, it would not allow it and would tell me to active Windows. So, I would say OK activate, and it would tell me it was already activated. When I went to bed last night at midnight, I was caught in this endless loop.

I'll now try the save mode approach to see if that helps.

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Comment from Barry on 2008-05-19

2008-05-19T14:22:10Z

I had a similar problem.

Can't access the net because there are no drivers and no ID Number to tell the tell the "Tech" (someone with a flip book of instructions that they follow no matter what you say even if you have done them five times already and tell them it doesn't work. They make you do them again with each "Tech" and then when it doesn't work again they put you on hold while they read the next steps in the book.)

I've learned three things.
1. Microsoft is no help with this problem except to waste about an hour and a half making you reboot, read numbers, edit the registry, boot to safe mode, get numbers off the center of the install disk, make you change the product key, transfer you to someone else who will go through the same stuff and still not fix the problem.

2. When you install don't add a password when asked - leave blank.

3. Don't name the machine just accept the default name that is in the box.

This allows it to boot to the point that you can add drives. It will begin to ask you to activate incessantly, but wait until you have all the drivers then activate over the net.

This has worked for me.

Barry

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Comment from Swannie on 2008-05-14

2008-05-14T08:57:20Z

I have the same problem, but cannot boot up in safe mode. Windows doesnt allow me.

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Comment from Mike Button on 2008-04-06

2008-04-06T22:40:36Z

I had the same problem with a new system setup. I used the most current version of the MS install disk as well.
The problem IS the lack of identifiable network card. While I was unable to install driver's in safe mode, I was able to install a network card into the machine and get a valid installation id. This enabled me to activate windows and complete my setup

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Comment from xx on 2008-03-30

2008-03-30T19:23:57Z

Who cares, running windows on a computer is like buying a car and having your keys stop working if you put new tires on it.

Microsoft needs to stop acting like a bully in the market place.

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Comment from Dave on 2008-03-29

2008-03-29T22:48:44Z

I can't understand why people put themselves through so much pain for an evil corporation like Microsoft. Just install Linux and you'll more software than you know what to do with, no malware, no spyware, no crashes no cost, no pain.

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Comment from John on 2008-03-29

2008-03-29T20:55:44Z

I had a similar experience, except mine wasn't an OEM version and I wasn't given given an option to activate by phone. I was told I had an illegal version, even though it was not and I had reinstalled it with no problems many times in the past. My question to you is why did you bother? I stayed with Ubuntu and even if I could reinstall windows I wouldn't. XP sits on the shelf gathering dust and thats where it will stay.

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Comment from Richard on 2008-03-29

2008-03-29T17:56:37Z

My opinion is that your install CD was corrupted, thats; why the installation did not reboot and was not finished (your NIC driver was missing)

Anyhow, if you have a message that you need to activate and you cannot login,

You can get around it, just look around try F1 for help, find any link that will open Internet Explorer. and with internet explorer you just launch explorer.exe and work with the PC for ever, just keep the windows with activation open, closing this window will end your session.

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Comment from Jeffery Land on 2008-03-29

2008-03-29T16:11:32Z

In the future when you can't use the windows installer in safe mode you may wish to refer to this link, which also works in Vista:

http://windowsitpro.com/article/articleid/83334/jsi-tip-9208-how-can-i-start-windows-installer-in-safe-mode-on-a-windows-server-2003.html

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Comment from Reiner Manfred Subke on 2008-03-28

2008-03-29T00:03:47Z

I have read your article with great interest !If YOU had these problems,imagine an old geezer of 69 years of age (Me) who only had a PC for 1 year and learned mostly from "Dummies"books.
I subscribed to your newsletter recently and read all keenly (even if some is still over my head) Found a lot af help in your articles !!
Keep up the great work and thanks for bothering at all !
Cheers and good luck,regards,Fred

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Comment from tracyanne on 2008-03-28

2008-03-28T21:47:58Z

Personally I wouldn't have bothered. I stopped using Microsoft Windows in 2002. The whole activation thing got up my nose once too often. I'm now a happy Linux (Mandriva) user, with no activation issues, no single computer install issues, and access to more software than I can poke a stick at. I no longer find anything compelling about Microsoft Windows, and when I am forced to use Microsoft Windows the experience is one of downgrading to a far less useful system with huge chunks of functionality missing.

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Comment from Eli Coten on 2008-03-22

2008-03-23T01:09:19Z

I am now using Ubuntu linux on a laptop which consistently froze when booting XP. Whatever I tried, including reformatting and reinstalling, the computer always froze at a certain point when starting XP and I couldn't figure out what the problem was.

Although Ubuntu has fair share of problems and bugs, overall once it was setup to my liking, until I want/need to change the hardware, network or anything else that requires configuration it is nice and reliable.

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Comment from Doug on 2008-03-18

2008-03-19T00:17:13Z

I just upgraded to XP from Win98SE at home.

After an hour and a half XP reported that my Motorola software wasn't compatible with XP, but the installation completed. I have the 30-minus days to activate icon sitting in the system tray.

I found the Motorola software but the install didn't look quite right, but at least I have a computer that knows how to read USB drives, my digital camera and digital frame (hopefully). If I can get back on the net I will avoid the telephone activation.

Thanks for the info on the USB drive viruses and turning off autoplay.

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Comment from Andrew on 2008-03-16

2008-03-16T17:11:29Z

I am 54 years young and I can remember a young M$ and an old IBM. IBM got arogant and did not care about its customers both public and business because it thought it had them all locked up and with Unix flavors hurting each other it was correct. Except for M$ and now the same thing is happening again except IBM is M$ and M$ is Linex.

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Comment from dunstergirl on 2008-03-15

2008-03-16T03:54:22Z

Leo, sorry to hear of your trauma on the phone (can't image staying calm through that), but thank you for doing it. This is the best (or at least most personally useful) article (and replies) I've seen here for a while.

I've been wanting to reinstall XP on my kids machine for a while now (too many years of games she doesn't use anymore, a housesitter accessing questionable internet content, etc. generally cluttering things up) but always reluctant as all I had was the OEM "go back to square one" disc (NOT a full XP installation disc, but XP on her machine does have a valid license). The info here may help me make the plunge into a full reinstall.

P.S. If you have a valid XP (or whatever Windows etc.) installation but don't have the key on a sticker or what have you on your box, Belarc Advisor (probably found the link here originally) is great freeware for documenting ALL the license keys for ALL your software - good to run NOW in case something dies).

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Comment from Chris on 2008-03-15

2008-03-16T02:23:33Z

Hey, I had the same problem about a month ago - same messages and everything. I just believed that it was a common thing as fixing it seemed relatively easy...reinstalling windows on friend's Dell PC, used original disks and key, hanged, rebooted, wouldn't activate (never noticed windows didn't see the network card - I've never had internet access on any XP install I've done until drivers are installed), booted into safe mode, gave up after the limitations there became apparent (couldn't be bothered calling MS)and so re-installed windows again, this time doing things differently - I can't remember how, but first install just didn't seem right, whether it was something wrong on my part I also don't know....anyways that’s my 50c to this article

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Comment from Steve on 2008-03-15

2008-03-15T21:35:31Z

So what key did it end up using? The retail version or the Dell OEM version?

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Comment from Michael Horowitz on 2008-03-15

2008-03-15T19:35:22Z

One solution to this problem is to make disk image backups.

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Comment from Sam on 2008-03-15

2008-03-15T16:44:19Z

For next time, you can avoid ALL of what you wrote about. I have had success with following the tip below, which I made note of from PC Magazine (11/5/02 issue):

"Don't reactivate after reinstalling. If you reinstall Windows XP, you normally have to reativate it, but there's a way around reactivation. Windows XP maintains the activation information in the file 'Wpa.dbl,' which you'll find in the Windows\System32 folder. After you activate, and any time you add hardware to your system, back up the file to another disk. If you need to reinstall Windows XP for any reason, go through the installation routine, then copy the latest version of Wpa.dbl to the Windows\system32 folder."

As a result of this tip, I've made it a practice to back up this file whenever I make a hardware change on each Windows XP computer I have (or work with, such as my wife's & children's). Unfortunately, I understand that Vista doesn't allow this easy step to avoid reactivation.

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Comment from Geo on 2008-03-15

2008-03-15T12:17:40Z

The exact sort of thing that generates pirates. Many would not go through that long of a hassle.

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Comment from Hugh E Torrance on 2008-03-15

2008-03-15T10:38:14Z

Good article,I had the misfortune of successfully transferring my XP home from a small drive to a larger drive only to end up having to phone in on a Saturday,after much ado the M$ agent said,call back Monday...*WELL*... I reformatted and used a copy and that was that ...I,ve never looked back and Linux,BSD are my main operating systems now...Linux has come of age now and you are really spoiled for choice,its fabulous...

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Comment from Jawad on 2008-03-14

2008-03-15T05:46:32Z

Leo,
I also had the same problem but it wasnt Dell or any other brand it was an assambled PC. I Reinstall the windows and had the activation problem but it was more worst then yours. You can atleast go into Safe Mode!!! but with me it was not even going into Safe Mode.
So then finally i made a Format.

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Comment from Chucko Ogden on 2008-03-14

2008-03-15T03:25:24Z

Hi Leo! Great newsletter - I always read it. My opinion (after 30 years writing code): Windoze is dead dead dead. 20 years from now, it'll be gone. Utter disdain for the user is why. A remarkable blend of arrogance and incompetence supported by a monopoly position: that is not the American way. That's why the stock price is flat. Ballmer sees it: that's why he wants to redeploy capital to buy Yahoo. Folks, I rest my case.

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Comment from Michael Horowitz on 2008-03-14

2008-03-15T03:10:43Z

Great article Leo. Many of us feel your pain. It's amazing that no one at Microsoft knows how to deal with a missing Installation ID. Don't they have a Knowledge Base where they can type "missing installation id". Certainly you're not the first person on the planet to run into this problem. That they couldn't figure out how to let a legal user run Windows is a disgrace. The moral of the story: it's nice to be a monopoly so you don't have to do a good job.

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Comment from Len on 2008-03-14

2008-03-14T19:52:02Z

Despite not having made any hardware changes I have to go through this (phone activation) every time I reformat XP Home. To make matters worse, each time I call their call center I get someone on the phone that can barely speak English. A major pain in the you-know-what.

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Comment from Ken B on 2008-03-14

2008-03-14T17:34:47Z

I've never been able to get an OEM key to even be accepted as valid using a retail install disk. More than once, we've had a client's system with a dead HD that needed XP reinstalled. Of course, they didn't have any media (computers typically don't include the media nowadays, and the hidden recovery partition is useless on a dead HD) so we tried our own install disks. (Which should be perfectly legal, as they had a valid key.) I don't recall the retail install ever accepting an OEM key as being valid.

We now have a set of "Gateway XP", "Dell XP", "Toshiba XP", and so on, to be used in these situations. (Perfectly legal, as I understand it, as they are only used to reinstall onto systems which have a license key on the case.)

I read somewhere that the installation media has a file on it which describes which type of key can be used.

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Comment from John Hileman on 2008-03-14

2008-03-14T11:36:49Z

Leo,

I am wondering if your Dell had a hidden restore partition that you could have used?

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Comment from Simon on 2008-03-13

2008-03-13T17:53:10Z

According to http://www.licenturion.com/xp/fully-licensed-wpa.txt, if a hardware component isn't present, XP activation should just set the relevent bit-field to all-zeros and still compute the hardware hash just fine. Indeed, there are other hardware components used in the hash which will very commonly not be present (e.g. SCSI host adapter ID string); and I find it very hard to believe that you're the first person to install XP on a computer without a network adaptor.

Very strange.

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