Win XP Pro OEM Activation issue

[kimsland]

Have you ever heard of an XP disk going bad?

Unless, you are using a disk that is only meant for a certain computer type, and the computer type you have is too different, hardware wise.

All Xp discs are the same (not including version types like Pro; Home; etc)
But not all OEM Xp discs are the same

Actually most OEM Xp discs will not work in a drive that it is not intended for

It was on an older Dell 2.4 GHZ system

So are you using an OEM Windows Xp CD on another system?

If no, then it may be how the HardDrive is configured
Or it could be some hardware plugged in that Windows just cannot recognize. Or possibly even faulty hardware.

You could also reset Bios to defaults
When you first turn on the computer, you should see a prompt like "press DEL or F2 to get into Bios Setup"
Press that key (whatever it is) then locate "set defaults" and enable it. Then Save and Exit.

Only other possible issue. Is faulty Harddrive itself (I don't think it's DD Drie)

Actually I think it's the OEM issue.

 

[Photo601]

As in the Install disk being meant for a specific system, or the disk in and of itself is the issue?

 

[kimsland]

The install disc being meant only for a specific system. ie made only for the computer it was sold with. (This is called OEM software)


Edit:

Please don't quote the message just before your, as this is the message you are replying to anyway

 

[Photo601]

Okay, I bought the disk from New Egg. and it was listed as OEM and not retail.

I undestand about a copy being licensed for a specific machine. If that were the case, why all the registry errors to start with?

The MS tech made a comment about the DD reading the disk too quickly and, at some crucial point, skipped part(s) of the activation files.

I suppose, but for the sake of discussion, why the same exact error on the Dell.

Every so often, I am reminded there is always more to learn, and more problems to occur with software.

 

[kimsland]

This is the 30th Post on this thread

I wonder if you could go back and read over this thread again

And then clearly explain what disc and what computer you are using
Plus what you have tried, ideally in point form.
This does seem like a hardware isse, and I'm a little confused on what's happening with MS support, are you getting another CD, what is happening?
Please take your time to answer (ie read thread first) Because either I'm missing something relevant, or you are

 

[Photo601]

Clarification.

From the top:

I have a copy of XP Pro SP 2, OEM.

The computer I installed it is: AMD 939 proc. 1 GB Ram, an ATI Radeon 1600 Pro 512MB video card, 200 GB SATA I HDD, onboard sound, Samsung DVD Dual Layer burner. 1 Floppy DD.

The issue: Installed XP using the OEM disk. It installed flawlessly. After the install I downloaded someof the updates, including SP3. SP 3 reset my activation to 30 days instead of the 21 or 22 it was at when SP 3 installed. It didn't uninstall correctly.
I reformatted and reinstalled XP Pro SP 2 OEM. I was prompted to activate prior to logging in. I couldn't log in over the internet as the drivers weren't installed, because I couldn't log in.

You suggested I load the drivers in safe mode. I did that, but XP wouldn't activate over the net, so I had to call MS to activate. I called, gave them the product ID, and they gave me the activation numbers. XP showed it was activated. The screen then prompted me to activate windows prior to loggin on, etc. This is the XP activation loop I referred to.

I cleaned the drive and reinstalled for the third time. This time, nothing done in safe mode. I just called MS to activate. This time I DID NOT have the prioduct ID for activation. Then the 1.5 HR phone call to techsupport. (I'm not reposting his email summary) Suffice, there were plenty of files in the registry that were otherwise altered. Nothing worked until they gave me new product key. Once that was done, XP activated immediately.
I ran memetest, per your instruction, no errors.

As an experiment, I tried to install the same XP Pro SP 2 OEM image on my older Dell to see what would happen. It was the same exact error as I had with the newer AMD system. A different HDD; SATA on the AMD, IDE on the Dell. Different video card. 64 MB Nvidia on the Dell, 512 ATI on the AMD. Different DD, a Samsung Dual Layer on the AMD and a Single Layer DVD on the Dell.

Maybe there just isn't a clear answer, as it may be several contributing issues. I don't know.
I hope this clears up whatever confusion was created.
Thanks for the assistance.

Photo601

Photo601

 

[kimsland]

Well it does help to have all this info in one post, so thank-you for the time spent.

But I also stated (back there somewhere) that if you remove the partition then you cannot get this issue (about actiating before login) ..... Actually it may be possible. If MS now do not allow that key. BUT if you were not on the Internet, on first login, then you should have got the 30 day warning.

It may not have activated (in Windows Normal mode) but that's not the point
It still should have allowed you originally to log into Normal mode (Internet off)


But then you tried it on another computer and got the same issue... ?
Unless this was also on the Internet at the time. I can only conclude that the actual CD is faulty. By the way, yes I have seen faulty Windows CD (that mainly don't read files. But I have never seen this issue with a faulty CD causing you not to be able to login (starting from no partition and then running setup)

Conclusion: Not possible from non-partitioned HardDrive (then setup with Windows) Internet off.

Unless both your computers have some type of Bios bug (extremely unlikely)

There still must be something you have missed telling me.

 

[Photo601]

Let's try it this way, LAN connection was disconneted on the Del install and the third try on the AMD. MS DID allow the key until I contacted them and they gave me the new one.

I don't know what else to report on the installation/activation loop. If there is something specific you think I missed, ask away. Please. I would be happy to entertain what was missed. Simple or otherwise.
This was not a fun process to experience. There's worse out there certainly. But this one was unpleasant.

 

[kimsland]

Well seeming I have never seen this (and I have literally done thousands of installs, from 450Mhz all the way to brand new (who know how fast they are!) computers.
Including faulty ones (every fault under the sun) Used and New, stacks of different configurations

This is what I'd do if I were there.

Download Gparted Boot CD (actually I use Partition Magic, but not to worry)
Burn it to CD (this creates a bootable CD)
Put the CD in the drive (and just reset the computer!)

Boot from the bootable Gparted CD
Somewhere in Gparted, it says delete Partition (remove any/all of them)
Yes or I accept or Apply or Ok (whatever it wants)

Now you have a HardDrive that is clean

Unplug all externals (except Power; Monitor; Keyboard and Mouse)
Ideally remove any not required internal parts
Of course BIOS was set to defaults (previously I hope)

Boot from the Xp CD
Install ( all default settings) takes about half an hour!
Use your original key (it worked once you have stated)

Now you should get into Normal mode, with 30 day activation
This must happen

Do that and reply, then I'll be happy! (because it will login)

 

[Photo601]

For the record, I used G Parted to remove the partitions on the drive. I used to use PM, but I recently switched to G parted and I like it better.

When I have a little time, I'll consider the reinstall. If we were nearer each other, I'd bet a pint it won't...If I were a betting man that is.

photo601

 

[kimsland]

Please copy and paste my last post to Notepad (or better yet Wordpad, then you can increase the font size)

Then print it out

And tick off each step you complete
Especially the original key part

Hmm Sounds a little patronizing :haha:
But to get a fault I've never seen happens about once or twice a year. Even then it's similar to others. Yours is not