Re: Activating Windows XP
From: Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\) (user_at_#notme.com)
Date: 03/27/04
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Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2004 23:00:40 -0800
If he reinstalled XP over itself, it should not require activation. Did he
use your XP CD for this purpose or did he use his? Why was a new product ID
needed, did you not have the CD key for the XP CD that came with your
system. If it came with your system, the key is usually affixed to the PC
case. If you purchased it at retail, it's on the CD package.
You've told us a lot but not enough. If activation were the issue, you
would be able to do nothing assuming you could even get to the desktop.
It sounds as though your setup is pretty well corrupt. Because XP was
apparently installed over itself, System Restore is not an option at this
time. If possible, try the steps below:
The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:
Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.
Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.
Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.
Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.
The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.
-- Michael Solomon MS-MVP Windows Shell/User Backup is a PC User's Best Friend DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/ "Arlene" <ChoopiLoopi@netzero.net> wrote in message news:OVArXKK8DHA.632@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl... > Hello, > > > I have a big problem. Here's how the story goes. Last Saturday, I was > turning on my computer as usual, when my 3 year old son came in and > started > to touch the keyboard. I thought nothing would happen, as he usually does > this whenever I am on the computer. The windows xp logo comes on then my > desktop wallpaper shows up. Afyer that, I noticed that all my program > icons > where missing and the bottom taskbar was missing also. I checked to see if > it was my monitor screen that was too small and hid the icons, but that > wasn't it. All I saw was the wallpaper. I tried turning off and on the > computer to see if that worked (I was praying to the lord almighty to make > it work) but all I got was the wallpaper and nothing else. So I left it at > that for the day. > > On Sunday, I took my computer to a friend of mine who said he knew how to > fix the problem. What he did was reinstall windows xp. He called Microsoft > and they gave him a new product id number so that it can be installed. Now > my computer shows the icons and all, but I lost all of my personal > information, but that's not the worst problem. I noticed that I can't seem > to get into media player and I can't seem to find the disc cleanup > program. > I am also trying to find a way to activate windows (I think that is the > problem) but the window screen for that shows a blue screen and 2 little > boxes with a circle square and triangle in them, so I have no way of > trying > to activate windows. Can anyone help me??? :-) > > Sorry for the long story, but I had to explain the whole situation. Thanx > in > advance! :-) > > Arlene > >
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