Trying to fix a friend's Compaq mini 720ae (netbook) that has just started going into a loop at log on: It boots to windows and then comes up with 'This copy of windows must be activated before you can log on', with the options of activate now, 'yes' 'no'.
If I choose 'yes', it says 'already activated' and on clicking 'ok' goes back to the previous 'This copy of windows must be activated before you can log on'.
If I choose 'no', it goes to the user log in screen but when I click on the user, reverts to 'This copy of windows must be activated before you can log on', and logs out.
Can't see any option for 'safe mode' either.
After some searching for answers, without success, I decided I'd re-install XP but their is no internal cd/dvd drive so decided to use an external usb drive; unfortunately the bios is a simplified version of what we're all used to and the boot priority doesn't see the external drive so I'm flummoxed.
I read that installation can be done with a usb memory stick but surely if it can't see the external cd/dvd drive when plugged into usb, it won't see a memory stick? EDIT: just plugged a stick in and it DOES see that! just don't have a big enough (8gig) stick .... maybe have to get one.
Never come across owt like this and can't figure out a solution; any input/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
If I choose 'yes', it says 'already activated' and on clicking 'ok' goes back to the previous 'This copy of windows must be activated before you can log on'.
If I choose 'no', it goes to the user log in screen but when I click on the user, reverts to 'This copy of windows must be activated before you can log on', and logs out.
Can't see any option for 'safe mode' either.
After some searching for answers, without success, I decided I'd re-install XP but their is no internal cd/dvd drive so decided to use an external usb drive; unfortunately the bios is a simplified version of what we're all used to and the boot priority doesn't see the external drive so I'm flummoxed.
I read that installation can be done with a usb memory stick but surely if it can't see the external cd/dvd drive when plugged into usb, it won't see a memory stick? EDIT: just plugged a stick in and it DOES see that! just don't have a big enough (8gig) stick .... maybe have to get one.
Never come across owt like this and can't figure out a solution; any input/ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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