how to get rid of Activate windows XP message

<<How to get rid of this message >> Are you saying this is recent - that it didn't happen before? <<ive done a lot of installation on my computer >> If you have changed more than 3 items of hsrdware your activation will be invalid. Try activating over the net, if this fails, contact Microsoft. Provided you can prove ownership, and satisfactorily explain that this is the same computer, they will probably activate it for you. If not, you will need to buy a new licence. You won't have to re-install.

Chris B

I had the same problem for awhile. In fact, at one point, I couldn't even log in because WGA is so messed up.

 just call Microsoft, explain the situation to them, and more likely than not they will help you fix it. Like the above says, if that doesn't work, you'll need to purchase a new copy. On the bright side, Vista is coming out soon, so you could get the Home version of that.

>i don't have the serial number either
>
>what do ya mean by this ? .......................so is that one an illegal copy ?? ......or you have downloaded the trial version >from some where ....if its an illegal copy i or anybody else cant provide the serial or link ....due to EE Rules

Don't be silly here. If you get one of those Windows computers that comes with a backup disk instead of an actual Windows Xp disk and the activation check goes, you're looking at what could be the OP's situation. Way to not jump to conclusions. Also, to be honest, pirated versions are much more likely to have a "crack" to completely bypass the Windows Activation procedure. This, logically and ironically, leads one to conclude that Windows Activation is much more likely to inconvenience legitimate users than illegitimate ones.

At any rate, it would be better if the asker commented here.

activation check goes nuts*

AFAIK... if you install the corporate edition, you are not required to put in either a serial key or activate. Can anyone confirm this ?

(continued) you still have to buy the software though :)

> or is it possible i can install with some other cd and it doesnt affect my programs.

Yes, it is possible,
1) IF you launch the setup of windows XP from a previously installed one, it asks you to perform a "New Installation" or "Upgrade". If you choose "Upgrade", your programs are not affected

2) IF you launch the setup from a bootable CD-ROM, in  a text-based environment it first asks you to press ENTER to continue installation or 'R' to recover using recovery console, IF you press ENTER at this step it will search for previously installed versions of windows and asks you to highlight any of them and press 'R' on that option if you want to repair a previous installation. If you choose to repair a previous installation this also leaves your installed programs and settings intact
-------------------
> i dont have the serial number
I can not help explicitly on this issue, but if you purchased a new copy of windows with a new serial number, you can activate the current installation with the new serial number, because the windows activation program allows you to change the serial number before activation.

If you just want to know the key you used in installation of this instance of windows (for some reason)[ because it is not required that you know the serial number in activation by Internet], you can use this utility to show you the current serial number:
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

Whish that helps,
Ali.

In response to lloydhouseman, the corporate edition does require you to enter a serial number.  Once installed though, it does not require activation...  Imagine what a nightmare that would be for system administrators!

well due to EE rules BLAH BLAH BLAH.......
but a simple search on google would get u the answer
there is even a .BAT file for this (i found it on limewire)
i fixes it within .5 sec just deletes some files...