Windows XP Activation

Question

I got a OEM copy of windows xp home with my laptop. I have reinstalled windows once since i got the laptop from Dell, and I am now trying to download/install Directx 9.0c.

When i try and download Directx from the microsoft website, it attempts to verify my copy of windows and tells me that it is not activated.

I attempted to go to programs>Accessories>Systems Tools but the Windows Activiation program is not there.

When i attempt to install Directx 9.0c from a game CD, the Windows Logo Verification test pops up, tells me the software has failed to pass windows logo verification and refuses to install the program. I am logged in as administrator and have logo verification in Driver signing turned OFF.

Something i found said OEM Windows XP versions sometimes do not require additional activiation once installed, and - while it was a while ago now - i don't remember having to activate this copy of windows when i reinstalled it (I reinstalled it from the XP recovery CD that came with my computer).

Any suggestions? I don't feel like paying the $35 to submit a support issue to microsoft, and even though my computer is still under warrenty for 680+ days, the Dell people don't want to give me software support without paying an additional $90 - and I can't find a livechat representative and there is no queue for that service.

Message Edited by lordseck on 12-27-2005 09:54 AM

tgsmith · Answer

Lordseck, OK. If it's acting weird, let's be a little more specific in our instructions.  Click on Start|Run. Type: %windir%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a Press Enter or click OK. Tony

tgsmith · Answer

Lordseck, You are correct. OEM XP installations are pre-activated via Dell's Volume License. However, yours is the second post I have seen this week regarding Microsoft Validation not seeing the a valid XP Activation.  Microsoft  may have changed the rules again.  You may have to register your Windows XP with Microsoft to get it to recognize your Windows is activated. To activate XP manually:  Click on Start|Run. Type oobe/msoobe /a and press Enter.  This will tell you if your XP is activated or not.      In the future: If you plan to do a repair/install of XP on the same hardware, you can back up the activation status and then restore it after you repair/install Windows XP.  Back up your activation status by copying the wpa.dbl file from the %systemroot%\system32 folder to a floppy disk. Once the repair/install of XP OS is done,  start in Safe Mode. Open the \%systemroot%\system32 folder.  Rename wpa.dbl to wpa.new. Copy your old wpa.dbl file to the system32 folder. Reboot . This works only on the same hardware for a previously activated XP installation.   You mentionned logo verification was OFF.  Did you mean Block was selected on Driver Signing? Click Start|Control Panel|System. On the Hardware tab, click Driver Signing. Under File Signature verification, click Warn (This should be the default).  Do not select Block.  Under Administrator option, click Apply setting as system default to apply the selected setting as the default for all users who log on to your computer. Tony

lordseck · Answer

It was orignally on Warn, yes. I set it to Ignore to try and troubleshoot through this issue.

Weird, I run oobe/msoobe /a and my computer makes sounds as if it was booting up a new app, but no program box or anything pops up.

Windows General

Windows XP Activation

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