XP Activation

[Chikky2100]

Hi peeps, newbie here.
Just wanted to ask what would happen if you did not activate Windows XP before the 30 day deadline?
I'm having probs activating my XP atm.
No Product Key, my friend gave me pc after company he cleans for threw out all their old pc's.
Company now gone.
Had loads of problems with hard-drives and BIOS settings etc, had to reinstall XP several times using old disk from another pc.
Recieved new installation number but phoning Microsoft did not help, they said they could not activate product.
Either had to buy new program(joke) or ask friend about Product Key.
Friend and i haven't spoken to each other for over a year.
Can't afford new product, what to do?

Any help would be greatly appreciated please,please.

Many thanks

Chikky2100 :D

[mjc]

No, there is nothing you can do...without buying a new copy of XP. The reason why MS can't activate the current install is because, most likely, the install was a 'volume license'. That basically means the business that bought the machine is the one that holds the license and when the machine is taken out of service, the install is no longer 'valid'.

Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/)

Mepis (http://www.mepis.org/)

Or any other Linux distro...

[123456]

After 30 days, you're pretty much stuck with a crippled install of XP. It just asks you to activate it. You might try calling M$ with the phone # the Activation Wizard provides and see if they can remedy your situation.

[awaj]

Like MJC Said, give up on XP until you can afford the actual install disk. I currently multi-boot to Ubuntu and a couple other OSs. Ubuntu is not that much different then XP (Aside from name, and a few obvious changes...)

[Sylvander]

The FREE Puppy Linux or any of its Puplets are probably faster than any of the others, and almost certainly much easier too.

The basic official Puppy Linux 4.1.2 (http://www.puppylinux.org/downloads/official-releases/puppy-linux-412)

Multivarious Puplets (http://www.puppylinux.org/downloads/puplets).

I have and like:
BoxPup 4.1.2 (http://www.puppylinux.org/downloads/puplets/boxpup)
Elegant and minimalist.

Muppy Linux 008.4c (http://files.filefront.com/Muppy+Live+0084c+ENiso/;12868301;/fileinfo.html)
More comprehensive than your average puplet; lots on the desktop.
The default black colour scheme is rather nice.

Unable to use because it only works for the USA region, but would love to have it:
TeenPup 2008 (http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/TeenPup-31563.shtml)
Screenshots (http://linux.softpedia.com/progScreenshots/TeenPup-Screenshot-31563.html).
Includes lots of interesting/useful programs; one of the bigger puplets.

[Ronjohn@SMMPCR]

The FREE Puppy Linux or any of its Puplets are probably faster than any of the others, and almost certainly much easier too.

The basic official Puppy Linux 4.1.2 (http://www.puppylinux.org/downloads/official-releases/puppy-linux-412)

Multivarious Puplets (http://www.puppylinux.org/downloads/puplets).

I have and like:
BoxPup 4.1.2 (http://www.puppylinux.org/downloads/puplets/boxpup)
Elegant and minimalist.

Muppy Linux 008.4c (http://files.filefront.com/Muppy+Live+0084c+ENiso/;12868301;/fileinfo.html)
More comprehensive than your average puplet; lots on the desktop.
The default black colour scheme is rather nice.

Unable to use because it only works for the USA region, but would love to have it:
TeenPup 2008 (http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Operating-Systems/Linux-Distributions/TeenPup-31563.shtml)
Screenshots (http://linux.softpedia.com/progScreenshots/TeenPup-Screenshot-31563.html).
Includes lots of interesting/useful programs; one of the bigger puplets.

This is really the best option for a "broke joe" these are free and even if you dont understand much about installs,PC's,etc you can still just run puppy linux off a usb drive and be able to get online.

my only question is that if you had to install several times to get this right (after all your errors,etc) why dont you just reinstall 12 times a year.... (kind of jokingly)

you can always try getting an oem license from another box and giving it a shot... if its a volume it will deny it but if by chance you do have an oem copy. it will take...... hopefully

[mjc]

you can always try getting an oem license from another box and giving it a shot... if its a volume it will deny it but if by chance you do have an oem copy. it will take...... hopefully

Not exactly legal and not the kind of advice we supply here.

[Ronjohn@SMMPCR]

Not exactly legal and not the kind of advice we supply here.

well mjc, i see im just starting to see a quick ban now aint i??

the guy said that he had to piece parts together from other pc's to make one pc work.... did he not

if i take and transplant my hardware into a new box and even though i have mixed parts from 2 different pc's with 2 different oem keys on them, why cant i use one????

and who is to say which one of them is correct since hardware came from 2 different boxes and you say that i am wrong?

the above post that mentions that he is basically up the creek without a paddle is very incorrect as so is calling the microsoft activation hotline without a valid license is also not politically correct either

if he has a box that he has taken a majority of hardware from that has a oem code on it... he can legally use it...

and by the way, giving advice that works is what i thought this forum was about, not creating dead end hallways.

[mjc]

No, not quite...the OEM license is tied to the original hardware and upgrades to that hardware. A 'Franken-box' doesn't quite qualify as upgrades to the original hardware. The other major problem with that line of reasoning is that most all boxes put out by the manufacturers of pre-built systems (Dell, HP, etc) tie their restore disks to something, usually BIOS, on the original hardware so the disk is worthless on any other config.

That's not my rules...but MS came up with that.

BTW, I personally know charity groups that were sued by MS for building 'Franken-boxes'...but since they were charities they got off easy and MS supplied the stuff to go 'legit'.

Supplying legal advice...not just advice. And a Linux distro is a viable, legal option.

[classicsoftware]

well mjc, i see im just starting to see a quick ban now aint i??

the guy said that he had to piece parts together from other pc's to make one pc work.... did he not

if i take and transplant my hardware into a new box and even though i have mixed parts from 2 different pc's with 2 different oem keys on them, why cant i use one????

and who is to say which one of them is correct since hardware came from 2 different boxes and you say that i am wrong?

the above post that mentions that he is basically up the creek without a paddle is very incorrect as so is calling the microsoft activation hotline without a valid license is also not politically correct either

if he has a box that he has taken a majority of hardware from that has a oem code on it... he can legally use it...

and by the way, giving advice that works is what i thought this forum was about, not creating dead end hallways.

When you agree to an OEM license, they give you a sticker that attaches to the outside of the PC. Your license is now married to the PC. If you have a full license, you can uninstall and reinstall.

What you are advocating is a violation of Windows EULA. It is also software piracy which if your caught can result in criminal or civil penalties. We DO NOT advocate illegal or unethical behavior based on your ability to pay.
if he has a box that he has taken a majority of hardware from that has a oem code on it... he can legally use it...
No he can't unless he as the parts in the case with the sticker and even then depending on what parts are replaced, you may or may not be able to reactivate. But even so, that is not the case here.

Unlike you, we supplied him with legal methods of getting on line via a free open source version of Linnux.....

No ban, just a general warning that we do not condone this type of activity.

[Paul Komski]

With OEM installs there is some leeway in what is and what isn't considered enough to make it "a new PC". Certain components can be swapped, particularly if done one by one over a time period, because repairs to an OEM are allowed. Even a broken mobo can be replaced though this is the most likely 'replacement' to make MS say no. All you can do is to phone MS after a change and say you replaced the part and why. If they activate all and good.

BTW - after you get locked out I think you can still get in with Safe Mode and do certain things.