XP must be activated?

[ron350]

Turned this computer on today and there was a blue screen with a window that said. This copy of Windows must be activated within three days.

Now there is a blue star in the start up bar at the bottom of the page.

This computer is using XP service pack 3 with Firefox.

Microsoft wants me to install-Windows genuine advantage installer- but it will not install.

Is there any way around this without buying a new computer?

[c_hegge]

Re: XP must be activated?

That usually happens if you make any significant changes to the hardware. You don't need to buy a new computer. Just run through the activation procedure. It takes about a whole 30 seconds. You don't need to install the genuine validation tool to activate.

[ron350]

Re: XP must be activated?

C hegge thanks for the help but I can’t find XP Home CD or product key.

1. Locate your product key. Microsoft product keys contain 25 characters divided into groups of five, and are located on the proof of license label attached to your DVD case or on a Certificate of Authenticity attached to your PC.
2. Click Start.
3. Point to All Programs.
4. Click Activate Windows.
5. Follow the instructions to activate Windows XP.

I had it back when I installed MS security essentials why are they after me now?
It says buy a copy of windows 7 or else.

The only thing that has changed on this old computer is an updating Firefox a few weeks ago.

[R_J]

Re: XP must be activated?

You can find your install cd key by using a key finder program like magic jelly bean
Also check your system bios date, sometimes if it gets changed back to default this can happen
Also fyi Don't install windows updates KB2934207 or KB2949787

[ron350]

Re: XP must be activated?

Well that was scary.
I found the XP CD and this time MS activate did not ask for the product key.

Sorry I just noticed this is in the wrong section please delete.

[c_hegge]

Re: XP must be activated?

Thread moved to appropriate section

[Uranium-235]

Re: XP must be activated?

sometimes if its not connected to the internet for a loong period of time (of has been off for that long period of time) it will do this, reconnect it to the internet, and rebooting usually fixes such things for me

[abbylee]

Re: XP must be activated?

Try finding a free key on google.

[c_hegge]

Re: XP must be activated?

^
You can't. Even if you do find one, it will be blacklisted and activation will fail.

[ron350]

Re: XP must be activated?

Thanks for the help I found the MS product Key and turned off the dooms day clock.

Microsoft is leaving me alone for now.

Don’t have a clue why MS came after me nothing has changed with this old computer.

M$ night have targeted me because I have automatic updates turned off?

[Sparkey55]

Re: XP must be activated?

Thanks for the help I found the MS product Key and turned off the dooms day clock.

Microsoft is leaving me alone for now.

Don't have a clue why MS came after me nothing has changed with this old computer.

M$ night have targeted me because I have automatic updates turned off?

On most non-oem installs of Windows XP if it has been more than 120 days after the original activation and the computer has not had sufficent internet time to connect to a Microsoft server, then it will think that it is a fresh install and needs to be reactivated, that all.

[reaper57]

Re: XP must be activated?

That moment when you realize that pirate activators are designed to work better than the M$ activation system...

[GaryCole]

Re: XP must be activated?

Sometimes I faced it as well. I use google to solve that problem

[RJARRRPCGP]

Re: XP must be activated?

M$ night have targeted me because I have automatic updates turned off?

Not likely. Likely when vice-versa.

[davidkien68]

Re: XP must be activated?

follow like this, you just need to safemod and restore window is ok