This can happen when the files that hold the activation status become corrupted (as can happen with any data on any part of any hard drive). Open a Command Prompt (Start, All Programs, Accessories) and type in CHKDSK /R. Click Y to schedule it for the next reboot, then reboot and allow the CHKDSK to run ... this will attempt to repair and recover any corrupted files or parts of the file system. If you still have issues, you can run SFC /SCANNOW, but you would need a Dell installation CD for this operation.
Do you have SP3 installed and all updates up-to-date? Anti-virus up-to-date and the system clean of any infections (you might try a scan with something like MalwareBytes to be sure your AV hasn't missed something or been compromised)?
Microsoft does indeed no longer support XP without SP3 - it is dead to Microsoft. With SP3, "extended support" (pretty much security updates only) will continue until 2014, then XP will finally be dead (yay!). I'm sure people will continue to use it, but numbers should decrease dramatically, as it will become increasingly unsafe to use without ongoing security updates (IE9 is not even supported on XP).
DELL-Nikhil D1
4 Operator
•
2.6K Posts
1
September 28th, 2012 01:00
Hi Travis_Lloyd,
This link has a lot of information: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457078.aspx
The link gives steps to activate windows XP professional.
For any further queries please feel free to contact me
theflash1932
9 Legend
•
16.3K Posts
0
September 28th, 2012 09:00
This can happen when the files that hold the activation status become corrupted (as can happen with any data on any part of any hard drive). Open a Command Prompt (Start, All Programs, Accessories) and type in CHKDSK /R. Click Y to schedule it for the next reboot, then reboot and allow the CHKDSK to run ... this will attempt to repair and recover any corrupted files or parts of the file system. If you still have issues, you can run SFC /SCANNOW, but you would need a Dell installation CD for this operation.
Do you have SP3 installed and all updates up-to-date? Anti-virus up-to-date and the system clean of any infections (you might try a scan with something like MalwareBytes to be sure your AV hasn't missed something or been compromised)?
Microsoft does indeed no longer support XP without SP3 - it is dead to Microsoft. With SP3, "extended support" (pretty much security updates only) will continue until 2014, then XP will finally be dead (yay!). I'm sure people will continue to use it, but numbers should decrease dramatically, as it will become increasingly unsafe to use without ongoing security updates (IE9 is not even supported on XP).