windows media center 2002 version XP

Question

briefly, i received a microsoft online message telling me to reinstall windows, which i did - first mistake. i tried a repair install. now, because, i think, i timed out, i'm in a loop which asks me if i want to activate windows then logs me out.   i've tried a few things suggested on this forum but can't get anywhere.  tried the %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe/a but get a message saying windows can't find it.  There IS a file as above but without the /a at the end but when i hit OK, nothing happens.   i've also tried activating windows in safe mode - phone option, logging in as an administrator.  But i get a message saying i can't activate windows in safe mode    first question -   anything else i could try ?   Second - could i try a repair install again, or will i have to do a full install.  i really don't want to if possible to avoid.   thanks     Claire

tommyo1954 · Answer

Microsoft doesn't send out e-mails telling people to reinstall Windows. Sounds like you fell for something hook, line, and sinker.....

Try a system restore to a point before this mess happened? But if it's all bothced up like you make it appear, perhaps you're better off reinstalling Windows the proper way; with your reinstall disk you got from Dell.

Edit >> I meant to say a "clean reinstall of XP"; not the "proper way".. I didn't have enough coffee yet this early in the morning, lol...

Of course that would mean saving & backing up all your important files and material. A lot of work but worth it, in my opinion anyways.....

Message Edited by tommyo1954 on 08-12-2007 09:56 AM

Plonkoops7 · Answer

Thanks for your reply

wasn't an email - pop up mesage, like you get for updates. from forums i read other people have had exactly the same message and same problems. i used the cd that came with the laotop.

everything i get recommends a repair install or an update install.

i did a repair install the last time and this is the one that's causing problems. don't want to lose

files and other software. thing is the repair install worked but timed out.

what's likely to happen if i try an update install ? and what if i try another repair install

Message Edited by Plonkoops7 on 08-12-2007 02:26 PM

pcgeek11 · Answer

'i did a repair install the last time and this is the one that's causing problems.  don't want to lose files and other software.  thing is the repair install worked but timed out.'   What do you mean ' Timed Out '?   Either the repair install worked  ... Or it did not work. Which is it?   Your original post you said ' Microsoft told you to reinstall '... That Never happens online Message, Email, etc.   Then you said that ' i'm in a loop which asks me if i want to activate windows then logs me out.'   Facts that I know.   1.) If you have a Dell PC and install a Dell OEM copy of the XP OS it will never ask you to activate or reactivate.   2.) The installation will not time out.   This is what I think. Either you installed the Dell Disk on a non-Dell PC and it will not activate and it is timing out for a failure to activate in the time required.   Or   You installed a Non-Dell CD onto a Dell PC and it will not activate with the Dell OEM CD key and timing out for not activating within the required time limit.   Install Clean after backing up your data and files using a Dell Installation CD onto your Dell PC and you will have no worries.   pcgeek11 Message Edited by pcgeek11 on 08-12-2007 11:49 PM

Plonkoops7 · Answer

Thanks for your reply.   I'm sorry - but you're wrong most of the way down this line.   Suffice to say I used the CD supplied by Dell with the computer and what I say happened did indeed happen.  The repair installation completed but when I tried to activate 'this version of Windows' as prompted, I then got into this eternal loop.  Whether it was due to tming out is irrelevant - it won't work and I don't have an operating system - or I do but I can't get it to work.   From Microsoft's own forums, as well as Dells, this is not an uncommon problem.  Other people have been stuck in this 'activation loop'.   Ultimately, you may be correctwhen you say I have to do a clean install.  However, if what you're saying about the OS disc not requiring activation is true ( which is not backed up by messages I've seen on other forums)  Dell have given me the wrong disc.  If the latter is true, then a clean install won't work either.   Anyway, cheers and thanks for your thoughts.     Claire

pcgeek11 · Answer

Claire,   Try not to be defensive, I am not accusing you of anything.   But the Fact is:   Dell OEM disk is tied to the BIOS and SHOULD NEVER request activation.   If it does then you have some type of corruption going on and a clean install would probably be the best thing for you.   You said:   ' However, if what you're saying about the OS disc not requiring activation is true ( which is not backed up by messages I've seen on other forums)  Dell have given me the wrong disc.  If the latter is true, then a clean install won't work either.'   This is backed on all over this forum for Dell Branded OEM disk. I feel you have the system corrupted and will require a clean installation. This shouldn't even ask for a key as it is encoded into a text file here [CD Rom Drive letter]:\i386\winnt.sif look there and open this file and notepad and you will se there is a CD Key there that is used for the installation. Note it will not match the sticker on your system. But that is OK.   pcgeek11

Plonkoops7 · Answer

From the Dell forum.  There are other such posts on both Dell and Microsoft forums.  Other people have had exactly the same problem as me.  You said either the wrong cd or wrong computer was the problem.     This was wrong.  Other people use the form and my reply was an attempt at clarity, not an attempt to defend myself.   Thanks for your help.                'Hi, I am stuck booting up my computer. I reinstalled Windows XP due to a problem with IE with the Dell CD that came with the computer (new 3 months ago). It seemed to install Ok but now I get stuck in a loop I can't get out of. It ask me on start up whether I want to activate Windows XP. Whether I answer yes or no it just takes me round a loop back to the same login screen.'

tommyo1954 · Answer

After re-reading this three or four times now, I think pcgeek is heading in the correct direction.   Something definitely wrong somewhere when you tried your reinstall, as you should not need to re-activate or re-authenticate Windows with that Dell supplied reinstall disk. It just doesn't add up......

Windows General

windows media center 2002 version XP

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