Re: Sick of XP Activation Failure!
- From: Ron Martell <ron.martell@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2006 20:41:49 GMT
"benb" <benblackmore@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi,
Over the past couple of months I have had to rebuild a number of laptops,
either due to BSODs, or staff leaving/joining. We usually order Dell
laptops, which come with XP Pro oem licenses. Every time I rebuild I use the
supplied installation CD, and enter the CD-key from the OEM sticker on the
laptop, and every time I try to activate Windows I'm told that the CD-key
has been entered incorrectly, and I get the pop up window asking me to
re-enter it or phone Microsoft. I've double and triple checked the CD-Key is
correct, but I still get the error. I know I could phone up MS and activate
the software, but this is a pain in the rear end, first you have to go
through the automated system entering the 64 digit activation number, (which
never verifies correctly if it already failed trying to do it online - so
what's the point!?), then you have to talk to a CSR, who can be difficult to
understand, and give them the same 64 digit number, etc etc
I've tried asking the CSRs why the activation failed initially, but they say
they don't have any technical knowledge, and don't know. So I'm suck having
to phone every time I need to re-activate, and this gets highly irritating
when you have to do it every couple of weeks! Especially when you've
actually brought legal, licensed software!
Does anyone know why my activation keeps failing?
Are you using the actual restore CD that came with the specific laptop
that you are working on, or are you using a Dell CD that came with
some laptop or other at some point in the past?
I am not sure of the date, but sometime in 2003 or 2004 (it may have
even been in 2002) Dell changed their OEM distribution so that instead
of being just a customized version of the generic OEM software they
began using the SLP (System Locked Preinstallation) method, also
referred to as BIOS Locked.
SLP OEM versions are self-activating when installed on a computer with
a motherboard BIOS from that specific OEM. In order to prevent
duplicate installations the Product Key sequences used for SLP
versions are blocked from being activated over the Internet as the
need to do so would only arise if the motherboard BIOS was not from
the correct OEM.
There are a couple of possible scenarios where the situation you
describe could arise:
1. The installation CD you are using is one that was produced by Dell
prior to their transition to the SLP system.
2. The motherboard BIOS in the affected computers has been updated
with a BIOS version that was not from the Dell website (e.g. one from
the BIOS manufacturer that Dell purchased their "raw" BIOS version
from.
To determine if a specific computer has a BIOS Locked (SLP) version of
Windows installed, first verify it is an OEM version by looking at the
Product ID (Control Panel - System - General, last line in the
"Licensed to" section) to see if the second segment reads OEM. If it
does the look on the Start Menu under Accessories - System Tools for
an "Activate Windows" menu item. If there is no "Activate Windows"
item then that OEM version is SLP (BIOS Locked).
Hope this is of some assistance.
Good luck
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair
"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
.
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