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XP repair install not bringing up activation window.

I have a client where most of their XP machines just came up with the "Counterfiet" notice, and the computers said that a non-valid volume key was used to install. This client has the OEM XP versions sitting shrinkwrapped on the shelf. Original vendor is out of business. So I have re-installed and most went well. Except for one machine.

What I usually do in a repair install from the CD, boot into safe mode, install XP SP3 and IE 8. Then re-boot into regular mode and the machine comes up, states it needs to activate and then activates.

This machine however just boots to a blank blue screen, not the BSOD, just a blank blue desktop.

Another thing that seems weird is I get an "Access Denied" error when running msconfig.

Any ideas?

Jeff

Kent Dyer

How about Safe Mode with Networking and then try the activation?

Other than that, you are going to probably need to repair the drive/registry/etc. and then try the Activation process again.

HTH,

Kent

dabassguy1

ASKER

Safe Mode with networking just says, "re-boot in normal mode to activate" and logs me off. Booting into regular mode get the aforementioned blue screen.

What exactly do you mean by repair the drive/registry?

I can boot into regular safe mode.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

John

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willcomp

See if you can boot into VGA Only Mode.

dabassguy1

ASKER

To wipe the machine and start over was the fallback position when I made this post. We wiped the machine and since we had to start over, we went with Windows 7.

I selected this as the solution, because it is what I did. And this was the entry that suggested it. But to wipe the machine clean was giving up on the solution, not the solution.

John

@dabassguy1 - Thank you and I was happy to help you.

... Thinkpads_User