Question

Windows XP repair botched activation

Asked by: DanielLambert

After running a repair install using an OEM version of XP Professional SP3 on a Toshiba laptop I can no longer log on to Windows.  

The message comes up saying "This copy of windows must be activated with microsoft before you can log on. Do you want to activate windows now?"

When I click Yes, it begins to load but no desktop icons, or explorer bar shows up.  Ctrl-Alt-Delete does not work or any other key combination.  If left overnight it will just sit at this blank desktop screen and never go any further.  This is different than the issue where you get immediately logged back off after this message displays.

The installation went fine up until the end where it hung at the black "Windows XP   Please Wait..." screen where presumably it was trying to activate itself.  I have tried running a couple repair installs even using a non-oem copy of Windows but still cannot log on.

The first time I ran the repair, the installation asked for the product key, which I entered from the sticker on the bottom of the laptop, subsequent installs haven't asked for the product key.

I have attempted to remove wpa.dlb file and change the OOBETimer value in the registry but nothing seems to be working.

I have now ran into this issue a few times with different PC's and have been mostly unsuccessful in resolving it.

It seems to be an incompatibility with activation files between oem and non-oem copies of Windows XP from what Microsoft has said in the past.

Any advice would be helpful.  Thanks.

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Asked On
2009-08-05 at 09:14:15ID24628638
Tags

xp repair

,

xp activation

,

wga

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
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Comments
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Answers

 

by: jcimarronPosted on 2009-08-05 at 11:28:35ID: 25026540

DanielLambert--Is this the OEM CD that came with the PC?  Or is it new?  If yes, to either, try phoning MS and explain the situation.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890  (see near the bottom)
Or perhaps this phone number is still in service   (888) 352-7140

 

by: SysExpertPosted on 2009-08-05 at 11:30:15ID: 25026560

Don't you have access to the Restore paritition or recovery CD's ?

I always image a machine before trying to do any repairs.

I hope this helps !

 

by: DanielLambertPosted on 2009-08-05 at 11:52:13ID: 25026770

It is an OEM CD I used to re-install, but it is not the one that came with the PC.  I do have the recovery disk that came with it but it does not support a Windows repair, only a format and re-install.  I imagine the factory disk was non-OEM.

Also, I misspoke, it is a Panasonic Toughbook in which the hard drive is not accessible, the whole thing has to be disassembled to access the drive.  I had previously disassembled it due to a failed hard drive, but some issues were carried over to the new disk so that is why I did the repair install with the OEM disk.  This time I unfortunately did not image the drive prior to the repair install.

Unfortunately since I cannot logon, I can't do the phone activation, and since Windows cannot be activated in safe mode, getting in there does me no good, but I can get into safe mode w/out networking.

I'll try calling that number and see what they can do for me.

Thanks.

 

by: DanielLambertPosted on 2009-08-10 at 09:21:45ID: 25061368

Was not able to get any help from MS, they said to format and re-install.  I just restored from the old backup and decided not to proceed with the repair operation.

 

by: mike2747Posted on 2009-08-23 at 11:19:50ID: 25163605

I was in this loop as well and here's what worked:

1. Boot into safe mode (NOT w/ networking).

2. Install Internet Explorer 8. It will allow you to do this in safe mode.

3. After IE8 install, restart Windows to normal mode and activation window will appear as it should.

This worked for me. I was stuck in a loop until I tried this.

 

by: Mandr1chPosted on 2009-09-25 at 08:42:11ID: 25424151

I had this same issue. Mike2747 saved the day for me. Too bad I can't give ya  points, mate.  You can also just install/reinstall IE7 using the network installation. Which is the variation of the above that I used. It really just boils down to a repair of IE in general.

IE7 DL:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/8/8/38889DC1-848C-4BF2-8335-86C573AD86D9/IE7-WindowsXP-x86-enu.exe

 

by: ottcomputingPosted on 2010-01-19 at 03:55:29ID: 26348667

Do we have a reason for this problem happening? I've run into it several times now and it has become very annoying.

Solutions aside, Id like to prevent it!

 

by: mike2747Posted on 2010-01-19 at 08:03:06ID: 26350962

This usually happens when (but not always) a repair install is done using a Microsoft System Builder's OEM disc with the product key on the sticker of a PC that that is a Royalty OEM install. Confusing I know. See the difference and read some interesting activation facts here - http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=506. If you were to use the CD that came with the PC it wouldn't require the activation at all (Royalty OEM).

At our shop we try to collect the different OEM CDs at different service pack levels to avoid this.

 

by: ottcomputingPosted on 2010-01-19 at 09:27:08ID: 26351975

Just wanted to let everyone who may read this, that Mikes solution actually works.

I've ran into this problem a few times before and was confused. It was almost hit and miss.

Thanks again!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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