[helpme007]

My friend has a comp with windows XP on it.
After starting the computer, it starts up as normal, and then just dies! There are recovery instructions in her manual, but it tells us what to do AFTER the start menu comes up.
And then sometimes it will start up as normal, but dies about a minute into using it.
one message said "a problem is preventing windows from accurately checking the licensing from this computer"
Could this be a virus problem? Or hardware? She took pictures of the messages that popped up as they were too long for us to read before the comp died.
We are travelling, so she will phone the support numbers tomorrow but thought I would see what you think it may be,
Thanks

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to start a Windows XP-based computer, you may receive an error message that resembles the following:
A problem is preventing Windows from accurately checking the license for this computer. Error code: 0xnnnnnnnn
Note In the error message, nnnnnnnn represents the specific error code that you may receive. For example, you may receive error code 0x80004005.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914232

Possibly as quick to run a repair install

You can use this guide to repair XP

Possibly, you will need to press the start button and keep tapping the delete key, (possibly F2) until the PC enters set up. Change the boot order to CD ROM Drive then hard drive, press F10 then press enter, load the XP CD then type Y then press enter, as it reboots, look for press any key to load from CD, press enter

You will need your XP product key to complete this

The XP Product Key is a 25 character alpha numerical code, which does not include the sequence OEM

If you have audio / video files which are subject to DRM you should check with the provider for known issues with performing an XP repair install

Click this to view the XP Repair Install Guide

Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system

The XP repair install will look and run as a normal install, however, you must not see a request to format the drive

After running XP Repair you will need to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update

[Retired Tech]

SYMPTOMS
When you try to start a Windows XP-based computer, you may receive an error message that resembles the following:
A problem is preventing Windows from accurately checking the license for this computer. Error code: 0xnnnnnnnn
Note In the error message, nnnnnnnn represents the specific error code that you may receive. For example, you may receive error code 0x80004005.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914232

Possibly as quick to run a repair install

You can use this guide to repair XP

Possibly, you will need to press the start button and keep tapping the delete key, (possibly F2) until the PC enters set up. Change the boot order to CD ROM Drive then hard drive, press F10 then press enter, load the XP CD then type Y then press enter, as it reboots, look for press any key to load from CD, press enter

You will need your XP product key to complete this

The XP Product Key is a 25 character alpha numerical code, which does not include the sequence OEM

If you have audio / video files which are subject to DRM you should check with the provider for known issues with performing an XP repair install

Click this to view the XP Repair Install Guide

Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system

The XP repair install will look and run as a normal install, however, you must not see a request to format the drive

After running XP Repair you will need to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update