toc-tom
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Could Virus Cleaning cause Windows Activation
Has anyone had a computer ask for Windows Activation after cleaning viruses and malware? I was working on an infected computer and cleaned it up and now it wants me to activate Windows. The user says she's been using it for about a year now since the harddrive crashed and Windows had to be reloaded. I don't see how the viruses could have caused this issue, but I also don't see how the user has been using the computer for a year without activating Windows.
I've been on the phone 4 times to Microsoft and they still can't get it activated. They told me to call Microsoft customer support and get a completely new product key (they've already given me 3) and if that didn't work I have to re-install Windows.
Is there an easier way to fix the activation problem?
I've been on the phone 4 times to Microsoft and they still can't get it activated. They told me to call Microsoft customer support and get a completely new product key (they've already given me 3) and if that didn't work I have to re-install Windows.
Is there an easier way to fix the activation problem?
No. It sounds like you have some corruption in the system which is preventing the Activation. Have you run a repair?
Maybe backup your HD and check:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312295
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312295
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ASKER
I started the system file checker and won't have any time to get back to it until later tonight. Thanks for the input so far!
It takes quite a while to run.
Let us know how you make out.
--Rob
Let us know how you make out.
--Rob
ASKER
Well, this computer has been giving me a hard time. I ran the SFC and it didn't make any difference. I called customer support and they had me run through serveral things with no difference so we ran the repair from the CD. That fixed the activation problem, but now certian websites (ones that require a login like experts-exchange) won't display properly and other things just don't seem right. I will put a second drive in the computer and re-install Windows then move all the data files from the old hard drive to the "new" one.
Thanks for the help!
Tom
Thanks for the help!
Tom
That is too bad. Virusses can leave a mess. Good luck with the re-install.
Thanks toc-tom.
Cheers !
--Rob
Thanks toc-tom.
Cheers !
--Rob