Windows Activation help

[mendozer]

Let me first explain what i did:

my PC ethernet card crapped out, so i decided to combine my parts with my spare PC parts (some better) for one good PC. I combined:
OLD- graphics card, hard drive, 512MB RAM stick, DVD-RW drive
NEWER- motherboard, DVD drive, hard drive, case, power supply

When i start windows, it comes to the blue "welcome" screen but beeps and a window pops up that says "Windows Product Activation- this version of Windows must be activated to log on"

First off, both computers ran normally prior to the hardware transfer. One had XP home and i'm not sure, but i think the other had XP Professional. Then i tried logging on without one hard drive hooked up (so only one OS was on file) and the same error popped up.

I can boot in Safe Mode however, so is this the same as the Activation Error Code: 0x80070002, even though the message is different? If so, i know how to delete the relevant registry keys, but i don't want to if it's a different problem.

any experience with this?

[chuck4456]

You need to perform a new installation of WINDOWS.

[mendozer]

dang, hoping i didn't have to. i want what's on my hard drives, so can i install windows without reformatting my HDs, or at least keeping one of them?

i've done like 5 installs, and formatted each time, but never tried it without doing so

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by mendozer dang, hoping i didn't have to. i want what's on my hard drives, so can i install windows without reformatting my HDs, or at least keeping one of them? i've done like 5 installs, and formatted each time, but never tried it without doing so

Try an UPGRADE or REPAIR INSTALLATION first.
Decide which drive is least important as far as keepable files go - you may or may not have to make that sacrifice but be prepared to lose data - in case you end up doing a full installation.
Once you have your OS installed and the system functional, you should be able to plug in your other old drives, go into DISK MANAGEMENT and retrieve whatever data you wish to retrieve. I have had to go about it that way a time or two.

[mendozer]

ok i just found out one drive isn't necessary (data wise). how can i repair or upgrade if i can't fully load windows? can that be done in safe mode?

[Lespaul20]

Have you tried re-activating?

A repair install will solve this as well and will save any data you have. You shouldn't have to do a clean install.

[mendozer]

how do you do a repair install? i sold my older laptop and i included the XP home disk (even though i installed it on the PC). i dont know why, i just realized i didn't need to, but i thought it was a good move as a seller. damn. i have my XP professional disk though

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by mendozer how do you do a repair install? i sold my older laptop and i included the XP home disk (even though i installed it on the PC). i dont know why, i just realized i didn't need to, but i thought it was a good move as a seller. damn. i have my XP professional disk though

If it's a Genuine WINDOWS installation disc and not some type of OEM reinstallation CD then just go thru the same procedure as if you were doing a full install. After you do the F8 thing if there is a REPAIR INSTALLATION option, it will be there. If you don't get get a REPAIR option or UPGRADE option, then it's full reinstallation time.
If it's been a while since you used your activation key then you should be able to enter it when asked by the OS and you should be able to activate it online once the system is up and running. If not, you will see a phone number in the activation data box that you can call.

[mendozer]

it is a reinstallation disc, but i try it anyways.

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by mendozer it is a reinstallation disc, but i try it anyways.

Most of the time you won't get a repair option with a reinstallation disc.
Good luck.
Report back.

[mendozer]

i got a repair option, but i couldn't select which Windows to use (i guess they were different on the hard drives). however, to simplify things, i just did a full reinstall.

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by mendozer i got a repair option, but i couldn't select which Windows to use (i guess they were different on the hard drives). however, to simplify things, i just did a full reinstall.

You did what you had to do.
Hope it is working well.

[mendozer]

another speed bump. now i can't even set up an internet connection to do my windows update and i still can't activate, although now it fully opens windows at least. i've never had these problems before, and i've fixed others' computers, so this error is new to me.

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by mendozer another speed bump. now i can't even set up an internet connection to do my windows update and i still can't activate, although now it fully opens windows at least. i've never had these problems before, and i've fixed others' computers, so this error is new to me.

Install your drivers.

[mendozer]

the graphics drivers are there for the card. the "Other Devices" are all missing. "RAID, ethernet, multimedia audio controller, SM Bus, USB device". i dont believe i have those CDs. also it's a custom built PC so no Dell drivers, etc

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by mendozer it's a custom built PC so no Dell drivers, etc

If you know the make and model number of the motherboard you can get the drivers from the manufacturers website.

[mendozer]

ok i dont know why i didnt think of that. to busy with other crap. ok thats fine now. but my windows still won't activate. i've used this product key several times while reinstalling windows but this time it won't work. weird

[Lespaul20]

You might have to call to activate if you have already activated several times.