Re: Multiple re-installs

He is blanking the '%SystemDrive%, but is he still running the same 'Boot' drive? That data has to be stored on something, if no authentication is taking place. Certainly it is Not the install disk. My guess would be that he has some dual boot going there.
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Mark L. Ferguson
..

"sheridan" <sheridan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:73FD82E8-C497-4933-99CD-4C311DE31596@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
While I appreciate the responses, you are missing a key piece of information
here. He can't INSTALL Windows, it won't let him, saying he has installed
too many times. How can that happen? We are not dealing with an
Authentication issue, it won't go that far. He tried calling tech support
and they were not helpful.

"smlunatick" wrote:

Try the activation via the telephone method. Be calm and do not yell. XP OEM
versions activation now require a phone call to get the activation. If you
still have problem, try getting a phone agent.



On 24/04/2008 sheridan <sheridan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>No, it doesn't even get that far. He can't even install Windows now, he >is
>being told he has installed too many times. How can that happen if >there is
>no communication to Microsoft? What possible counter is in effect here >if
>the drive is either new or wiped clean?
>
>"Mark L. Ferguson" wrote:
>
>> Well, if MS is saying they won't "Authenticate" his Product Key again,
there
>> are still a few options available. If your friend can run without >> updates
>> for a while (keeping the Firewall up, for sure) the Key will be good >> for
>> automatic authentication in 120 days after the last authentication. >> They
>> would need to redo everything every 30 days to keep from Safe Mode, >> until
>> authentication could be done.
>> This person needs to do a little work on learning how to do a system >> backup.
>> -- >> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
>> interface.
>> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales/help/help_en-us.htm#RateAPostAsAnswer
>> Mark L. Ferguson
>> .
>>
>> "sheridan" <sheridan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:BDDCE667-76AD-43AC-BF1A-5567B6ABB07A@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> > A friend has a real problem. He has Windows XP and because of >> > problems
>> > from
>> > time to time, has had to wipe out and re-install Windows several >> > times
>> > over
>> > the past 2 - 3 years. He tried to re-install this week to a new >> > hard
>> > drive
>> > and he is being told he can't because he has installed too many >> > times.
>> > Just
>> > how can Windows know that if the drive is new or clean? He is not
>> > installing
>> > Windows on multiple computers, this is the same computer each and >> > every
>> > time.
>> > Sometimes, with a different hard drive. So how can this be >> > happening and
>> > what can he do?
>> >
>> > He tried talking to a live person at Microsoft but that was useless. >> > The
>> > rep was sure he was trying to get away with something, which I know >> > to be
>> > false. He has reached the point where he is ready to buy another >> > copy of
>> > XP,
>> > but I don't think he should have to. Any thoughts here?
>>

.