Windows Acivation Key

Hi Pete

Thanks for that. I have done as you mentioned above. But still have the same problem. I have noticed a wpabaln file with a key icon in System 32 folder.

Any ideas?

U

If you have a legal copy of Windows, you can use telephone activation in lieu of internet activation - simply bring up the activation wizard, select activate by telephone, then call the number provided by Microsoft thru that dialog.    It should first ask you to activate it through the automated system;  once that fails, you'll be transferred to a Microsoft Rep.; tell them you had to reinstall Windows, and they will give you an activation key to type in.

wpabaln - wpabaln.exe - Process Information
Process File: wpabaln or wpabaln.exe
Process Name: Microsoft Licensing Agent
 
Description:
wpabaln.exe forsm a part of the Microsoft Windows operating system and is responsible for licensing issues on your computer. This program is non-essential process to the running of the system, but should not be terminated unless suspected to be causing problems
http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/wpabaln/

Download and run this http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4421.html write down the key then do this http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Try deactivating windows and activating again.

As always, make sure you have backed up all important data before doing any changes to your system. A system restore point before start is also a good idea.

To deactivate windows  change any digit in the value OOBETimer under HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents

run %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a   or  START->Accesories->System Tools->Activate Windows to reactivate.

Hope that helps

IV

maybe sysprep will help ?

sysprep generates a new SSID 4 your computer and resets the activation.
sysprep can be found on the microsoft page.

sysprep is in the deploy.cab on the XP CD

When you backed up the C:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl, where did you back it up to.

Just a guess here, but copying it back into C:\windows\system32 from a CD after reinstalling WinXP will leave the file as "read-only" and there is a possibility that this might cause issues.

I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but the following command issued at the command prompt from the Start Menu's RUN field:

%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

It is a good way to test whether activation has been successful, because it will tell you that "Windows is already activated" if it IS.

To force the activation screen by making the system think that it is not activated, locate the following key in Regedit:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\wpaevents

In the RIGHT pane, RIGHT-click the Reg_Binary value "OOBETimer" and select "Modify"

Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows

Click "OK" and close regedit

Start Menu > RUN > and type %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a > click "OK"
 
Click "Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows", and then click "Next"
 
Click "Change Product Key" at the bottom
 
Enter the valid Product Key

Press "Update" and close the window
 
If you are returned to the previous window, click "Remind me later"

Reboot

Start Menu > RUN > and type %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a > click "OK"

You should see "Windows is already activated".

Whoops, sorry IvanVillamizar, I hadn't seen your comment earlier for some reason.

Hi IvanVillamizar and BillDL,

I backed up my wpa.dbl on to a floppy. But I notice the that file reappear after boot-up in the same location (C:\windows\system32).

Regarding your instructions - I have modfied  "OOBETimer". But nothing happens. I mean it doesnt de-activate windows. Although I managed to change a value.

I hope you can assist further.

still after re-boot I have a key icon popping up saying 24days to actiivate, but when I click the icon it say "Windows already activated".

Time is against me ... tick tock!

Help...........

university1

>>>
"I backed up my wpa.dbl on to a floppy. But I noticed the that file reappears after boot-up in C:\windows\system32 again"
<<<

Try copying the backed-up wpa.dbl into c:\windows\system32 and allow it to overwrite the new one that is created.  Hopefully Windows won't prevent you from doing this.

After performing the registry modification on "OOBETimer", did you reboot the computer?
I seem to remember that this is an essential step.  I certainly have "reboot" in the notes I made a long while ago, so perhaps you should try that after modifying "OOBETimer", and THEN run the msoobe.exe /a command.

Let us know if this works.

just a side note. Make sure the timer isn't for activating office and not the actual xp OS.
to activate office open any office program then click on help then activate.

Very good point, joyriding, and one that certainly makes sense.  I have a feeling that the most recent versions of Microsoft WORKS also now require product activation, and I know that FrontPage 2002 onwards requires it also.

visio does :(

This is not uncommon.  MS really did a GREAT <not!> job implementing the activation (especially after SP2).......a co-worker spent two hours with MS support trying to activate after installing SP2 and they finally told him to take his computer back to the place of purchase.  How's that for support?!?!?!

Anyhow since you have a legitimate copy and the msoobe is screwed up, it shouldn't be any type of licensing infraction to use a product activation bypass utility.  The wpa_kill utility does an excellent job of patching msoobe so you are no longer bothered by activation.  It can be obtained here:

http://antiwpa.cjb.net/

Keep in mind that this utility is to help with activation problems, and not to be used for illegitimate purposes.

Thanks,
Andrew

Hopefully this one should be fixed fairly easily.

Click Start, then  Run
Type:  regedit
Click OK

Navigate to:  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents

Right click on the WPAEvents folder and select Export. Save to desktop as WPA.reg (In case any issues arise, you can restore data)

You will see on the right hand side, a value called OOBETimer. Double click and a window will appear, remove the bottom line of data, click OK, and close the registry editor.

Normally when changing the registry, you must reboot for changes to take effect. In this case, DO NOT reboot. Windows Product Activation reads the registry on the fly, not only at bootup.

Click Start, then Run
Type:  oobe/msoobe /a
Click OK

You should now be able to activate Windows XP, and the problem should not recurr.


Good Luck
Chris

ahhh ... quick one ... just read arausch's post.

I will let you know that, these programs may work for a period of time ... however ... having worked at Microsoft and receiving numerous calls in regards to damage caused by these programs, especially after you do your next critical update which is designed to break the cracks, you will have activation issues all over again.

This should be a fiarly easy fix, and a call to Microsoft would result in free support, due to the nature of thge issue, and would get the issue resolved.

If you follow my instructions shown above, you should be fine, but I do have alot more info on Activation problems, should you need it.


Chris

cmegson, you have reiterated what I suggested 10 comments up, and this was also suggested just before I posted my suggestion.  There is one crucial difference with what you have suggested, and that is NOT to reboot after modifying the OOBETimer registry value.

After this method seemed to be unsuccessful for university1, I then asked whether the system had been rebooted, and my memory was that I had done so on previous occasions.

This is NOT a criticism, but actually a qualifying question from someone like you who has dealt with so many Activation queries.

WOULD rebooting ruin the modification just effected, or were you saying that a reboot is not really necessary?

Most of the time when rebooting the PC, the value is reset to what it was before you changed it.
I know it sounds odd, but many times I have rebooted a machine and the data has put itself back.

If it doesnt work doing it this way, it is usually best to go into Safe Mode, make the change, export the key after the change is made without rebooting. Then reboot back to Normal Mode, double click the file, and then use the oobe/msoobe /a command.

I actually experienced this problem on a friends PC last weekend, and had to use this method.

As I said, there is alot more info available. :)


Chris

Thank you for that extra info, Chris.

university1, what stage have you reached on that computer?

Thank you folks.........

For all your support.

I didnt have any luck to with the above - so reluctantly I had to call MS Support. They reckon the key activation was corrupt. So I was told to do a repair install with the XP Pro CD. It worked!!

They reckon I format the machine in the future - it should be ok. Otherwise, use the same solution. Weird!!!

Thanks again

Regards

U

I think PeteLong's suggestion and linked instructions (http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) for doing a "Repair Install" are the closest to your eventual resolution ie. "I was told to do a repair install with the XP Pro CD".

You said that "I didn't have any luck with the above", but did you try the instructions on that page for which PeteLong provided the link shown above?

Thanks BillDL,

That was my next question?
I have not tried his suggesstion fully. But I think that he should deserve the points.

Regards

U