Question

XP refresh install hangs at "Please wait..." forces activation and hangs again

Asked by: tpgriffin

I need to retain programs and data on this computer if possible so I'm avoiding reformatting.

Apparently the owner had a bad XP license and attempted a refresh install.

After the refresh install and after the reboot the system hung at the "Please wait..." install screen. After a hard power down and reboot the system is requiring activation during the user login at which time it hangs at a black screen.

I can login the system in Safe-Mode (non-networked) and I've tried another refresh install and a plain SP3 install with the same problems.

My question:
Is there any way to circumvent the auto-activation at login so it can be activated with the normal activation GUI?

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Asked On
2009-08-24 at 19:16:25ID24678568
Tags

XP refresh install

Topics

Windows XP Operating System

,

Windows Installer

Participating Experts
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Answers

 

by: PriceDPosted on 2009-08-24 at 19:25:05ID: 25174165

Are you able to check the event log to see what error there are.  Also, did you install SP3 separatly?

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-08-24 at 19:36:15ID: 25174207

It sounds like your customer did a bad repair install and messed things up. At this point I would attempt to backup the data just in case.

You can try bypassing the activation at login by using safe mode with networking and previously disconnecting the Ethernet cable. The auto-activate will fail because of a failure to reach the Internet and hopefully it will allow you to login and reach the normal GUI.

 

by: tpgriffinPosted on 2009-08-24 at 21:39:17ID: 25174571

PriceD:
No errors were reported, just a warning:
Your Windows product has not been activated with Microsoft yet. To activate Windows, use the Product Activation Wizard.
Source: Windows Product Activation
Category: None
Type: Warning
Event ID: 1011

BitsBytesandMore:
I thought you had a great idea but it didn't work. It still insists on activating during login and then the screen goes black.

 

by: pankusareenPosted on 2009-08-24 at 22:00:47ID: 25174629

If there is any restore point u can try to restore the PC

 

by: SheharyaarSaahilPosted on 2009-08-24 at 23:38:04ID: 25174967

i've never seen this issue resolved by repair installs or tweaking other stuff.......have experienced it quite a few times myself.
backup.......and start fresh.

 

by: tpgriffinPosted on 2009-08-25 at 05:39:34ID: 25176845

2nd system, same problem.

 

by: PriceDPosted on 2009-08-25 at 08:23:03ID: 25178544

What about, SP3.  did you install that separatly

 

by: tpgriffinPosted on 2009-08-25 at 08:43:19ID: 25178783

PriceD, Yes I installed SP3 separately on the 1st system after trying the full OS refresh. Both these systems already had SP3.

 

by: PriceDPosted on 2009-08-25 at 11:27:31ID: 25180623

ARe you able to pull SP3 off?  And try

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-08-25 at 11:55:55ID: 25180916

If you really want to save the data and programs on this computer, get another hard drive and install Windows XP.

When you activate Windows XP, Microsoft stores the data in the Windows Product Activation database files wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak in the folder %systemroot%\system32.

So we need to restore these files to the hard drive you are having problems with:

1: After finishing the clean install on the "New hard drive", turn it off and plug in the "Old Hard Drive" as an additional drive (hopefully you will configure it as "D").

2. Restart the computer and Open Windows explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32 and copy the files Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak from the "New Hard Drive" to  D:\Windows\System32 (Old Hard drive).

3. Shutdown, remove the "New HD" and replace with the "Old HD". It should now boot and have 30 days to activate.

 

 

by: tpgriffinPosted on 2009-08-25 at 12:08:10ID: 25181058

PriceD: I'll try tonight. The uninstall might be in "Add Remove"?

BitsBytesandMore: This sounds good. Can I use a Flash Drive to copy the files from the "New hard drive" as I can login on the "Old hard drive" under Safe-mode Non-Networked - I noticed that Safe Mode supports USB drives)?

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-08-25 at 12:11:24ID: 25181100

Yes you can.

 

by: tpgriffinPosted on 2009-08-29 at 20:27:30ID: 25216262

PriceD: SP3 is not in Add/Remove.

BitsBytesandMore: After moving the new wpa files to the old hard disk I got an error during login:
"Microsoft Feeds Synchronization encountered a program". The system then hangs.

 

by: tpgriffinPosted on 2009-09-08 at 06:53:34ID: 25281851

The solutions didn't work in my case but I would recommend these solutions are they are the appropriate next steps based on my experiences with PC repair.

 

by: tpgriffinPosted on 2009-09-08 at 06:55:53ID: 31619956

Didn't work for me this time but your solution has merit and I would try again.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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