[Mrcheeks]

after formatting my hard drive i entered a CD-key for windows xp pro for activation and it was fine, but later upon rebooting i got a message saying my hardware had changed and i had to re-activate windows. i entered my same CD-Key and it was refused. What should i do.

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call microsoft

[djgotee]

call microsoft

[Mrcheeks]

i was hoping i could avoid the torture of the dreaded 3 hour phone call . oh well, ill call tomorrow, thanks

[djgotee]

did the window come up b4 you entered your desktop, or did you get into windows?

[Mrcheeks]

it asked me to activate before i got to my desktop but told me i had 3 days to do so, and would remind me later then continued booting.

[djgotee]

Ok, so you get to the desktop?

and im not sure im understanding what you say about entering your cd key again?

Im confused. when you get the window telling you to activate b4 you get to the desktop, what do you do then?

[cloutz_11]

Ok, so you get to the desktop?

  and im not sure im understanding what you say about entering your cd key again?

Im confused. when you get the window telling you to activate b4 you get to the desktop, what do you do then?

I had to re-activate windows a couple of weeks ago. What happens is that they ask you before you enter your desktop. You have 2 choices, either to Activate right away or they give you a 30 day limit until you are forced to activate. (*I think it's 30 days ) During those 30 days*, you can do whatever you want with windows but then when the limit is over you are forced to call Microsoft and they give you a new Product Key.

[djgotee]

Ok you are calling it a product key. I think thats the confussion on my part. I call that a WPA (windows product activation code). So get into windows and do the update to the WPA code on the internet.

[djgotee]

Oh , and by the way, once in windows, type the following in the run box:

oobe/msoobe /a

[Mrcheeks]

Yea thats what is happening but when i enter my key it now says it is invalid or something, so i guess i have to call microsoft for a new one, thanks for the help.

[djgotee]

Mrcheeks. do you or do you not get to the desktop?

[Mrcheeks]

i do get to the desktop after i select "remind me later" on the activation screen. sorry if i was unclear

[djgotee]

Then go to run box and type:

oobe/msoobe /a

this will bring up the WPA activation screen. do your activation there while online instead of on the phone, ok?

microsoft will give you a new WPA code

[djgotee]

If you encounter problems doing this, youll have to contact MS

[Mrcheeks]

thanks, this did not work so ill call MS