Need Help with XP

Firestormalpha · 07-28-2006, 04:59 PM

Hey, just put in a new hard drive and upgraded my video card, but now my XP won't activate on my new hard drive, tells me it's already been installed on the alotted number of computers. XP pro btw. I called Microsoft, but the guys in India basically told me what my computer told me, offered to try and sell me an extension to the liscense, but later recanted saying that my XP liscense wasn't elligible for that. Is there anything I can do about it, not involving certain contraban topics? Am I screwed out of what amounts to between $100-200 (us) to buy a whole other XP disc and product key? Honestly no, I don't really look forward to the prospect of learning anything like Linux or others, no matter how easy or free you tell me they are, I'm just that frickin lazy about that stuff.

robertthebard · 07-28-2006, 05:11 PM

If you have a restore disk for your system, run that. It starts the whole process over. You'll lose any not backed up info, but restore the system to the original factory settings should fix it.

Firestormalpha · 07-28-2006, 05:16 PM

Well, with my system there are no factory settings, no restore disc. I built my computer from scratch about 3 yrs ago, bought the OS seperate and all that. This is the first time I've upgraded anything. When I tried to install the OS on the new Hard drive it istalled, but the product key wouldn't let it activate, and I've got 29 days and counting down.

pritchke · 07-28-2006, 05:26 PM

Thats BS (on there part) that Microsoft support can't help you. It sounds like the license for XP is still registered on the computer and will not install properly again. If you have your old harddrive install it again and uninstall XP assuming its still on there to get rid of the license being used, I am assuming you didn't remove XP from the old harddrive and the computer still has the XP liscense registered. Then reinstall the new hard drive and XP. I have no idea what I am talking about by the way as I have never bought a separate OP system before but there should be no need to buy a new license, Microsoft should help you.

[ 07-28-2006, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

Zebodog · 07-28-2006, 06:52 PM

There are two versions of XP: Retail and OEM.

Retail will allow you to change anything but the motherboard. Microsoft feels that as soon as you change the motherboard, it will be a new computer.
I bought XP 4 weeks after it was released and am now on my 3rd motherboard, 4th GFX, 4th CPU, 3rd HD and 2nd CPU and have only ever had to phone MS once.

If you bought the OEM version, which was much cheaper then you're pretty much fubar'd.

Firestormalpha · 07-28-2006, 08:37 PM

Well then, that just be sucking then. I'll have to go shell out more cash to the giant metal monster. Or go against my very nature and learn Linux.

P.S. not that I have anything against Linux, I've heard it's quite good, but I'm just not of a mind to learn it.

P.P.S. Thanks to all for your attempted helps and information.

[ 07-28-2006, 08:47 PM: Message edited by: Firestormalpha ]

Firestormalpha · 07-28-2006, 11:54 PM

Ok New question. Where can I get my hands on a copy of Windows XP Home NOT OEM edition? I've been looking online and the only thing that turns up at all seems to be either OEM or Upgrade. One won't work, and the other is why I'm in my current predicament. Also XP isn't an option anymore I can't afford $300 right now. And that's how much the non-OEM costs.

Grog · 07-30-2006, 07:57 AM

Find a nearby university bookstore (and possible a universtiy student) that sells XP for $5-10 and buy a copy of that.

My copy of XP Pro cost me $5 through my Uni, and I've never had trouble upgrading / changing components in my compy.

shamrock_uk · 07-30-2006, 02:28 PM

Sorry if I'm missing something, but if you "bought the OS seperate and all that" then you don't have the OEM version at all - you have the nice retail version. Do you have a box/certificate with it?

If you do, then I'm fairly sure you can install it on more than one computer (just so only one is in use at any one time) - give MS in the US a call if I were you and see if they're a bit more helpful.

Firestormalpha · 07-30-2006, 02:42 PM

No it was definately OEM, you CAN buy it seperate, found it on multiple computer product sites. And that's the version I had, MS couldn't help sadly.

But thanks anyway.

07-28-2006, 04:59 PM	#1
Firestormalpha Knight of the Rose Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Coral Springs, Fl USA Age: 41 Posts: 4,454	Hey, just put in a new hard drive and upgraded my video card, but now my XP won't activate on my new hard drive, tells me it's already been installed on the alotted number of computers. XP pro btw. I called Microsoft, but the guys in India basically told me what my computer told me, offered to try and sell me an extension to the liscense, but later recanted saying that my XP liscense wasn't elligible for that. Is there anything I can do about it, not involving certain contraban topics? Am I screwed out of what amounts to between $100-200 (us) to buy a whole other XP disc and product key? Honestly no, I don't really look forward to the prospect of learning anything like Linux or others, no matter how easy or free you tell me they are, I'm just that frickin lazy about that stuff. __________________ "When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com

07-28-2006, 05:11 PM	#2
robertthebard Xanathar Thieves Guild Join Date: March 17, 2001 Location: Wichita, KS USA Age: 62 Posts: 4,537	If you have a restore disk for your system, run that. It starts the whole process over. You'll lose any not backed up info, but restore the system to the original factory settings should fix it. __________________ To those we have lost; May your spirits fly free. Interesting read, one of my blogs.

07-28-2006, 05:16 PM	#3
Firestormalpha Knight of the Rose Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Coral Springs, Fl USA Age: 41 Posts: 4,454	Well, with my system there are no factory settings, no restore disc. I built my computer from scratch about 3 yrs ago, bought the OS seperate and all that. This is the first time I've upgraded anything. When I tried to install the OS on the new Hard drive it istalled, but the product key wouldn't let it activate, and I've got 29 days and counting down. __________________ "When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com

07-28-2006, 06:52 PM	#5
Zebodog Avatar Join Date: May 14, 2005 Location: Edmonton Age: 76 Posts: 578	There are two versions of XP: Retail and OEM. Retail will allow you to change anything but the motherboard. Microsoft feels that as soon as you change the motherboard, it will be a new computer. I bought XP 4 weeks after it was released and am now on my 3rd motherboard, 4th GFX, 4th CPU, 3rd HD and 2nd CPU and have only ever had to phone MS once. If you bought the OEM version, which was much cheaper then you're pretty much fubar'd. __________________ Disclaimer: If this thread, or a link within this thread leads you to follow advice that crashes/explodes/burns down or any way damages your system or causes personal stress or hardship, I am in no way responsible for any problems.

07-28-2006, 08:37 PM	#6
Firestormalpha Knight of the Rose Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Coral Springs, Fl USA Age: 41 Posts: 4,454	Well then, that just be sucking then. I'll have to go shell out more cash to the giant metal monster. Or go against my very nature and learn Linux. P.S. not that I have anything against Linux, I've heard it's quite good, but I'm just not of a mind to learn it. P.P.S. Thanks to all for your attempted helps and information. [ 07-28-2006, 08:47 PM: Message edited by: Firestormalpha ] __________________ "When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com

07-28-2006, 05:26 PM	#4
pritchke Bastet - Egyptian Cat Goddess Join Date: September 5, 2001 Location: Calgary, AB Age: 50 Posts: 3,491	Thats BS (on there part) that Microsoft support can't help you. It sounds like the license for XP is still registered on the computer and will not install properly again. If you have your old harddrive install it again and uninstall XP assuming its still on there to get rid of the license being used, I am assuming you didn't remove XP from the old harddrive and the computer still has the XP liscense registered. Then reinstall the new hard drive and XP. I have no idea what I am talking about by the way as I have never bought a separate OP system before but there should be no need to buy a new license, Microsoft should help you. [ 07-28-2006, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: pritchke ]

07-28-2006, 11:54 PM	#7
Firestormalpha Knight of the Rose Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Coral Springs, Fl USA Age: 41 Posts: 4,454	Ok New question. Where can I get my hands on a copy of Windows XP Home NOT OEM edition? I've been looking online and the only thing that turns up at all seems to be either OEM or Upgrade. One won't work, and the other is why I'm in my current predicament. Also XP isn't an option anymore I can't afford $300 right now. And that's how much the non-OEM costs. __________________ "When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com

07-30-2006, 07:57 AM	#8
Grog Dungeon Master Join Date: January 21, 2005 Location: The Wandering Forest Age: 45 Posts: 50	Find a nearby university bookstore (and possible a universtiy student) that sells XP for $5-10 and buy a copy of that. My copy of XP Pro cost me $5 through my Uni, and I've never had trouble upgrading / changing components in my compy. __________________ \"He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.” ~Anonymous <br /><br />\"You need to change how you look at it, when you can\'t change the it you\'re looking at.\" - Bishop T.D. Jakes <br /><br />[url]\"http://chosenofmystra.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=23\" target=\"_blank\">Auril\'s Bane</a> -- An IWD Mod

07-30-2006, 02:28 PM	#9
shamrock_uk Dracolich Join Date: January 24, 2004 Location: UK Age: 42 Posts: 3,092	Sorry if I'm missing something, but if you "bought the OS seperate and all that" then you don't have the OEM version at all - you have the nice retail version. Do you have a box/certificate with it? If you do, then I'm fairly sure you can install it on more than one computer (just so only one is in use at any one time) - give MS in the US a call if I were you and see if they're a bit more helpful.

07-30-2006, 02:42 PM	#10
Firestormalpha Knight of the Rose Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Coral Springs, Fl USA Age: 41 Posts: 4,454	No it was definately OEM, you CAN buy it seperate, found it on multiple computer product sites. And that's the version I had, MS couldn't help sadly. But thanks anyway. __________________ "When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com

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