Windows XP Licencing Problem

StuntMonkeh

StuntMonkeh

StuntMonkeh

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Joined
16 Aug 2003
Posts
221
I am trying to fix a laptop for a friend of mine but she has lost the discs that came with it. I installed Windows XP Home Edition (off a Dell disc for a computer I have) but it never asked for the licence so I changed to licence number after the install to what is on the COA on the bottom of her laptop but it won't activate, Microsoft come back with invalid key IIRC when I try. I'm assuming it must have something to do with the Windows XP version on the Dell disc. The COA on the laptop says its for Windows XP Home Edition.

Is there a work around for this in some way or will she need to buy another version and licence?

P.S. The laptop is a Packard Bell if thats any use...
 
The version on the laptop was probably a volume licence edition (assuming it was preinstalled when she got it). These dont need to be activated so this is probably why the activation is going ape about it. Your best bet is probably contacting the manufacturer and asking them for the install media. most of them will send it out for a small fee
 
i have a laptop with a COA on the bottom of the laptop.. i lost the backup disk.. all u need to do is get ahold of a normal xp home OEM cd (not dell) then install it. it should activate over the internet but if it doesn't just call MS and they'll activate it
 
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Dell have been modifying their OEM disks for years, for example their Windows ME disk's checked for a DELL bios before installing.

You'll definatly need a 'normal' XP Home OEM disk. Online activation 'should' work if the PC was installed over 120 days ago, otherwise a phone call would normally be required.

Of course if Packard Bell use a 'customized' OEM like dell do, (which is to OEM what volume license is to corporate businesses), then a replacement media from Packard Bell might be required.
 
StuntMonkeh said:
Burnsy - Only tried online activation.

I will have to ask around a few friends to see if anyone has XP Home.
Click to expand...

Before doing anything else, phone using the number provided, they'll most likely activate for you.

Burnsy
 
burnsy2023 said:
Before doing anything else, phone using the number provided, they'll most likely activate for you.

Burnsy
Click to expand...

I'm a little worried that MS will get the wrong end of the stick and blacklist her licence even though its perfectly legit.
 
StuntMonkeh said:
I'm a little worried that MS will get the wrong end of the stick and blacklist her licence even though its perfectly legit.
Click to expand...

Why? Your not breaking any terms of the licence?

Burnsy
 
Had this problem on a fujitsu siemens pc, I used my copy of xp home sp2 to do a clean install after virus mayhem and everything installed fine with his xp coa code until it came to activation. Couldn't activate it online and a call to microsoft didn't fix the problem as the code he had was for a pre activated copy of xp home.

I managed to get a patch on the internet to activate it, but as so many patches are viruses or don't work properly I would recommend you try to get hold of a copy from packard bell if microsoft don't resolve this problem.

Oh my God it's 3.41am better go to bed. :eek:
 
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