Windows Activation/reinstalling Windows

[silentbobdrummer]

I just upgraded to Windows XP Pro on my backup system and I can't get Windows update to install the updates (and it won't give the error codes). I was wonder if I can reformat the computer and install Windows fresh if Windows was already activated? And if I can, how?

Thanks in advance.

[flanzig1]

First thing to ask is, does the XP Pro upgrade disc have at least SP1 on it? If it doesn't, you won't be able to get up-dates from MS.
To do a fresh reinstall, you can do the install right from the XP Pro up-grade disc but only if you have a XP Home install disc or a recovery disc if the PC is a prebuilt.

[Negeva]

If it's not Service Pack 2 (SP2) then it will not update - something I found out to my dismay yesterday. Before you re-install and assuming this is a legal copy of XP then just download and install SP2: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

[silentbobdrummer]

This disc is a legal copy and it has Service Pack 2 on it. I might just try to do a fresh install and see if that works, but I was just wondering if it would have to be re-activated or if I should be fine.

But with the updates not installing I get the message:
"Problem: A problem on you computer is preventing updates from download or installed."

[rcvalencia09]

Do you have Windows Update or Microsoft Update. Try to download the updates manually. http://update.microsoft.com. If it says Microsoft Updates. Revert back to Windows Update. Microsoft update includes other MS Products (i.e. Office). Just try to download updates just for the OS.

Here's the link to revert back to Windows Update:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/901037

[Negeva]

This disc is a legal copy and it has Service Pack 2 on it. I might just try to do a fresh install and see if that works, but I was just wondering if it would have to be re-activated or if I should be fine.

But with the updates not installing I get the message:
"Problem: A problem on you computer is preventing updates from download or installed."


If you re-install then yes you will need to re-activate it.

As to the other issue make sure the Automatic Update service and BITS service are running.

[Dan Penny]

If you do a Repair* install, you usually won't have to re-activate. I've done this (with an XP Home Upgrade w/ SP2 CD) on my machine twice in the last five weeks (I suspect a failing MAXTOR hard disk) without having to reactivate.

However, your machine seems to have a problem "A problem on your computer is preventing updates from being downloaded or installed." which might be repaired;

Before performing a reinstall, try re-registering the windows update components. Follow the instructions here;
http://windowssecrets.com/2007/09/27/03-Stealth-Windows-update-prevents-XP-repair

*Repair Install
1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.

2. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears on the screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.

Note Your computer must be configured to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive. For more information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, see your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer.

3. You receive the following message on the Welcome to Setup screen that appears:
This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft Windows XP to run on your computer:

To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.

To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.

To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

Press ENTER to set up Windows XP.

4. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.

5. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.

6. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to reinstall Windows XP. After you repair Windows XP, you may have to reactivate your copy of Windows XP.

As with a fresh install, you will have to reinstall any updates you've previously installed.

[Panama Red]

Try this trick and see if it helps. I've run into this several times of late and this batch file fixes the problem.

Manually registering files solves the problem

If you find that Windows Update refuses to install most patches, you can register its missing DLLs yourself. This can be accomplished by manually entering seven commands (shown in Step 2, below) at a command prompt. If you need to run the fix on multiple machines, it's easiest to use a batch file, as Steps 1 through 5 explain:

Step 1. Open Notepad (or any text editor).

Step 2. Copy and paste the following command lines into the Notepad window (the /s switch runs the commands silently, freeing you from having to press Enter after each line):

regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll
regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll
regsvr32 /s wups2.dll
regsvr32 /s wups.dll
regsvr32 /s wuweb.dll

Step 3. Save the file to your desktop, using a .bat or .cmd extension.

Step 4. Double-click the icon of the .bat or .cmd file.

Step 5. A command window will open, run the commands, and then close.

This one courtesy of:

http://windowssecrets.com/comp/070927/#story1 (and glc);)

[rjfvillarosa]

If you are sure you want to go ahead with a format and reinstall, you can use this method to avoid the Windows reactivation process.
This will only work if you do not change any of the hardware and just want to do a reinstall.

Avoid XP's Activation After a Reformat

To simply avoid the hassle of the activation process when you do format, follow these steps.

Before you reformat, go into the "C:\Windows\System32" folder, and copy the "wpa.bak" and "wpa.dbl” files to a safe place, such as a CD or Flash Drive.

After you finish reinstalling Windows, but before you reactivate, copy the two files you saved to the desktop.
Next, boot up in safe mode by pressing F8 just before the Windows loading screen and selecting "safe mode".
Then go into the "C:\Windows\System32" directory and locate the two files there with the same name.
If they exist, rename "wpa.dbl" to "wpa.nonactivated" and "wpa.bak" to wpabak.nonactivated.

Now, put the "wpa.bak" and "wpa.dbl" you temporarily placed on desktop into the "C:\Windows\System32" folder.
After a reboot, you should be all set to go.

Note that this will only work if you're running the same or very similar hardware as before.

[Dan Penny]

There's an echo in here.....

[Panama Red]

There's an echo in here.....

Yup, there sure is. I missed the link in your post above.:o

[silentbobdrummer]

Try this trick and see if it helps. I've run into this several times of late and this batch file fixes the problem.

Manually registering files solves the problem

If you find that Windows Update refuses to install most patches, you can register its missing DLLs yourself. This can be accomplished by manually entering seven commands (shown in Step 2, below) at a command prompt. If you need to run the fix on multiple machines, it's easiest to use a batch file, as Steps 1 through 5 explain:

Step 1. Open Notepad (or any text editor).

Step 2. Copy and paste the following command lines into the Notepad window (the /s switch runs the commands silently, freeing you from having to press Enter after each line):

regsvr32 /s wuapi.dll
regsvr32 /s wuaueng1.dll
regsvr32 /s wuaueng.dll
regsvr32 /s wucltui.dll
regsvr32 /s wups2.dll
regsvr32 /s wups.dll
regsvr32 /s wuweb.dll

Step 3. Save the file to your desktop, using a .bat or .cmd extension.

Step 4. Double-click the icon of the .bat or .cmd file.

Step 5. A command window will open, run the commands, and then close.

This one courtesy of:

http://windowssecrets.com/comp/070927/#story1 (and glc);)

I did that method and it worked. All the updates installed now. Thanks

The only problem I have now is that I started to do a fresh install from windows and it restarted to the DOS-based setup screen and I exited before installing because I wanted to mess with it again. Now each time I boot-up, it gives me the option to boot to XP Pro or XP Pro Setup. It automatically goes to the XP Pro setup unless I arrow up to the XP Pro option within 5 seconds. Is there anyway to get rid of the XP Setup option at startup?

Thanks again.

And I'll keep those activation methods in mind incase it needs to be reinstalled in the future.

[silentbobdrummer]

Ok, now I have a completely different problem. I moved the computer to my TV to play the Netflix Watch Instantly. Well i didn't work and I moved it back into the office and now it won't post. It gets power, just won't do anything.

[Negeva]

Might have knocked something loose on it's travels. Open the case and re-seat everything.

[silentbobdrummer]

It boots now. Don't think the outlet it was plugged into was getting enought power. Switched it and now its fine.

Still having the problem though of the computer trying to go into windows setup upon start-up.

[Dan Penny]

"Is there anyway to get rid of the XP Setup option at startup?"

Right click on My Computer. Click Properties. Click Advanced. Click on Settings under Startup and recovery. Under System Startup, make sure the option you want is highlighted in the drop down window for Default operating system. Then uncheck the box for "Time to display list of operating systems". Click OK, and OK. Restart for the change to take effect. You should boot straight into XP, bypassing the Setup choice.

[silentbobdrummer]

"Is there anyway to get rid of the XP Setup option at startup?"

Right click on My Computer. Click Properties. Click Advanced. Click on Settings under Startup and recovery. Under System Startup, make sure the option you want is highlighted in the drop down window for Default operating system. Then uncheck the box for "Time to display list of operating systems". Click OK, and OK. Restart for the change to take effect. You should boot straight into XP, bypassing the Setup choice.

That worked. Thanks for the help. Hopefully everything should be ok now.

Thanks everyone for the help.

[Dan Penny]

You're welcome.