Why won't windows activate?

indierocker85

Hi,

Somebody has leant me their copy of Windows XP SP 2 to reinstall, I have done this and it won't accept my activation code, IT IS DEFINATELY CORRECT. But the activation wizard won't accept it at all. I have a day left before the 30 day grace period runs out. I have lots of files on here I could do without losing. can anyone help?

Best regards and thanks in advance
indierocker

sunshine54

i think thats because the software is only licenced for 1 pc (you can't borrow it)

darich

agree with sunshine

when you install windows and then input the serial number it is checked against the microsoft database of serial numbers to see if it's already been used.
your borrowed copy has already been usd so when you try to use the same serial number, microsoft says "sorry - already in use - give me another serial number".
Now the only way to get one is to buy a copy of the software and that's what ms want you to do.

So it looks like your only option is to buy a copy of windows with a valid registration/serial number.

S0litaire

The CD-Key on the side of the PC might not match with the version of XP that is on the "borrowed" disk. If you got it with the PC then you'll need to get a copy of an "OEM install" disk rather than a "Retail" or "Upgrade" disk.

KALASNO

S0litaire wrote: »

The CD-Key on the side of the PC might not match with the version of XP that is on the "borrowed" disk. If you got it with the PC then you'll need to get a copy of an "OEM install" disk rather than a "Retail" or "Upgrade" disk.

Yep I would go with this answer, if you have your COA on the side of the PC but use a different disk you may be using the wrong OS version.

S0litaire

Time to learn Linux :D
Ubuntu is easy to use :D lol!!!

trcooke

S0litaire wrote: »

Time to learn Linux :D
Ubuntu is easy to use :D lol!!!

Yup, I'll second that.

indierocker85

How can I reinstall without losing any files?

devizes18193

i'll 3rd that but you need a blank cd and a burner for the image which you have to download

fwor

indierocker85 wrote: »

How can I reinstall without losing any files?

If you can borrow a CD with exactly the same Windows version (i.e. Pro or Home) then there is no reason why you should not be able to reactivate from the licence key on your own COA, though you may need to contact MS to get it to work.

You can also access all of your data by downloading one of the Linux distros (such as Ubuntu, already mentioned) and running it as a LiveCD. You can then copy any of your data to CD or USB stick, and nothing on your hard disk will be changed.

Or you can use the Ubuntu installer to create a separate partition which will leave the data in your (now smaller) Windows partition completely unchanged and accessible while running Linux.

One of the things to be aware of is that if you do the latter and then subsequently succeed in re-installing Windows it will trash the dual-boot loader that allows Ubuntu to run. This can be fixed, but it's a bit of a pain to do...

DatabaseError

if you have a valid key of your own (not your friends) contact microsoft.
If your friend has upgraded to vista, and so is no longer using xp on their machine, contact microsoft.
there are 'other' solutions, which cannot be discussed openly, but the 'contact microsoft is the best, safest and most reliable