I'll 2nd that (wr975), No machine ever leaves our shop without activation and all security updates installed. Make Them Fix It.


It takes all of 3 sec to verify activation, that should not have left the shop.

Both of you are most likely correct, however I am a fatalist and pretty much expect such sloppy service! I always prefer to know how to do it myself. 

Jim

I have one other question.
Is it safe to do anything like pay bills online or make purchases at EBAY with the WINDOWS NOT ACTIVATED PROBLEM????

No, the program is called ADWARE PROFESSIONAL.

No, the program is called ADWARE PROFESSIONAL.

Sorry - I'm not usually contrary with anyone so stubborn, but I think you should check again. And if you insist on yelling...  then KOJA!

Jim

Sorry everyone but this is getting me upset!!!!
I had a tech that did lots of stuff for my computer with no problem then
WINDOWS XP got corrupted (the first time/not this one). He installed
a copy of WINDOWS PROFESSIONAL on top of WINDOWS HOME.
I didn't see any problem at first and didn't know he did this until WINDOWS shutdown
and the other tech saw it.
The new tech has a different copy of the WINDOWS versions and
installs one of them that the customer needs if they no longer have the original CD. He then goes to Microsoft and activates it. I guess Microsoft caught this eventually in one of the updates.
I don't see a problem with me buying a new copy of WINDOWS XP and installing that
so that it would be a truly valid copy of WINDOWS.
I have a 45 day warranty on the repair that was done and it won't cost me anything
to fix this.
I just want someone to clarify that this would work.
I don't really want to call Microsoft and pay them $59 to answer my question.
SORRY AGAIN EVERYONE!!!!

Quote from: Stoic Joker on June 06, 2009, 04:35 PM

I'll 2nd that (wr975), No machine ever leaves our shop without activation and all security updates installed. Make Them Fix It.


It takes all of 3 sec to verify activation, that should not have left the shop.

Both of you are most likely correct, however I am a fatalist and pretty much expect such sloppy service! I always prefer to know how to do it myself. 

Jim

Me too, that's how I got to where I'm at now. But the guy's story sounded (and later proves to be) a incorrect media licensing issue. Which the "Tech" should have known better and never created. So foisting an angry consumer on them to further their (Um...) education seemed the more "profitable" route (did I mention I have a mean streak?) in the long run.

OK. Let's see if we can help you get this fixed.

If the only problem is activation, then purchasing a new full copy of WindowsXP will solve that problem.

If you lost your original disks - and have no way of getting a replacement CD for the Home Edition you paid for when you bought your PC - then buying a new copy will be your only option.

I'm not happy that the tech didn't warn you about what would happen if you couldn't supply him/her with your original software (i.e. that you'd need to buy a new copy) - but that's the way it goes. (Also a good reason to put your disks someplace where you can find them.)

So to recap - buying and installing a new copy of Windows XP will solve your activation problem.

I also think your tech should do the reinstall for free.

Especially since you've already been billed for the service. And also because any tech worthy of the name already knew you wouldn't be able to legally activate the copy he put on your machine.

If there's anything else you need clarified, just post it here. Or send me a personal message. I know how frustrating it can be having a machine down when you're trying to go online and pay bills with it.

I think moranacus should just purchase an inexpensive new computer instead.

Consider that he just spent $243 on a SEVEN year old computer and will now probably have to spend another $150+ for a new XP disk IF he can find one (I only see System Builder versions being sold lately).

IMO it makes no sense to sink another dime into his current machine.

Jim

Get the CD you have and take it and the machine back to the tech and have him set it up for you using that CD.  The key on the certificate attached to the machine should work when that CD is used, and the tech should be able to locate any drivers that are not on the CD

You already paid this tech good money and he gave you back problems - he should do this for you with no additional charge.

I have the WINDOWS XP CD and it was in a sealed pack but when I opened it there was a message that says "THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY LABEL HAS BEEN REMOVED BY YOUR PC MANUFACTURER AND ATTACHED TO YOU PC".
Well, I have got a new case for my computer since then and I don't see that label anywhere.
Does that mean I can't use it????

Sorry to say, but it all depends...

Here's the deal.

If the installation program asks for the product key (which is usually printed on the certificate of authenticity) you'll be out of luck and not able to install unless you have it written down somewhere - or there's a separate card, or a sticker inside the CD case that has a copy of that information.

However, if the CD has been setup by the manufacturer as a "Restoration Disk" (which usually says something like "product recovery CD" and does not look like a an over-the counter Microsoft product) then there's a very good chance you won't need to enter a product key - nor will you need to "activate" once it's been installed. Microsoft did allow certain manufacturers to "preauthorize and pre-activate" their product recovery disks. So if you have one of these, all you'll probably need to do is boot from it and tell it to reinstall WIndows.

Unfortunately, if you have replaced a bunch of hardware, you'll still need to get the appropriate drivers for anything that didn't come with your machine. Neither a generic Windows CD nor the recovery CD will have working drivers for everything you've since installed on your machine. Expect to do some web browsing to download everything you'll need.

One other thing, which I'll bring to your attention since I've run into this issue in the past. If you had your motherboard replaced by anyone other than the original manufacturer, you can forget about using their OEM recovery CD. Those CDs are almost always keyed to look for the original manufacturer's mobos, and will not work if they can't find one.

Examples:

Case 1: You have an old Dell and you replaced everything except the original motherboard. (The Dell recovery disk should work.)

Case 2:  You have an old Dell and you replaced nothing but the Dell motherboard with a board from a different manufacturer. (The Dell recovery disk will not work.)

Also bear in mind that once you get your copy of Windows reinstalled, you'll still need to download and install all the updates and service packs which have been released since your CD was mastered. Windows Update Service will handle that part for you, but the total download size (especially if it includes service packs) will be huge. So you'll need at least a DSL or cable connection to the Internet for it to be  practical. Don't even try it on 56K dial-up unless you can afford to give it a few days to get all the downloads.

Hope this helped.