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lawrieholmes
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March 7th, 2013 03:00
Reloaded Windows XP not activated
Recently my Inspiron 6400 has been working very slowly and afeter exhausting all other fixes I reloaded Windows XP from the OEM disk.
After rebooting the computer displayed the following message- 'This copy of Windows needs to be activated'.
This is not possible as no startup screen or screen icons are visable and although I have control of the mouse curser, I cannot go any further.
I can start the computer in safe mode, but not safe mode with networking. It seems that unless I can get internet access on the computer I cannot activate the copy of Windows XP.
I contacted Microsoft and they confirmed my product key was valid, but after many phonecalls and on-line chat (via another computer) they suggested that maybe the problem was driver based and I should contact Dell. Frankly not much help at all.
I have reintalled Windows XP several times without success and the same end result.
Since I cannot access the optical drive when the computer has started how am I to reload the drivers from the supplied disk.
Can anybody help solve this problem?
To add insult to injury Microsoft sent me a customer satisfaction E-mail after failing to offer any solution.
DELL-Manshu S
6 Operator
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2160 Posts
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Posted March 8th, 2013 03:00
Hi Lawrie,
Thank you for the reply.
Please perform the steps with you convenience and let me know the results so that I can help you further.
Also, ensure that you select correct time and date during the installation of the windows.
Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordelllawrieholmes
4 Posts
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Posted March 8th, 2013 03:00
Dear Manshu,
Thank you for your reply.
I have not added any hardware recently.
I have run the diagnostics tool several times and no errors have been recorded, however I am running it again now`to be absolutely sure. This will take some thirty minutes or more.
After that I will reinstall Windows XP professional as per the instructions on your link.
I have already reinstalled Windows XP several times using the instructions supplied with the user manual for the Inspiron 6400 laptop.
Thank you once again and I will re-contact you when I have finished to tell you the result.
Regards
Lawrie Holmes
lawrieholmes
4 Posts
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Posted March 8th, 2013 12:00
Dear Manshu,
Thank you very much for your help. I have now succeeded in installing Windows XP on my computer and it works perfectly.
Thanks once again for your help.
Regards,
Lawrie Holmes
Philip_Yip
11 Legend
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16052 Posts
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65915 Points
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Posted March 9th, 2013 09:00
It seems like you are already up and running but just to let you know that my guide covers the Windows Reinstallation in a bit more detail:
http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/
Theres a few additional tips and tricks not covered in the Dell Technical Documentation.
DELL-Manshu S
6 Operator
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2160 Posts
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Posted March 12th, 2013 06:00
Hi Lawrie,
Thank you for the reply.
I am glad to know that you got it working.
Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell
DELL-Manshu S
6 Operator
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2160 Posts
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Posted March 7th, 2013 04:00
Hi Lawrieholmes,
Welcome to the Community.
I would suggest you to perform diagnostics first to ensure there is no hardware issue.
Unplug the battery and the adapter. Press and hold power button for 10 seconds. Plugin the adapter and perform a Pre Boot System Assessment (PSA Diagnostics). To launch PSA diagnostics, please press and hold “Fn” key while turning on the system. Hold it down until the diagnostic starts. For more information click the link mentioned below:
http://dell.to/RO1v0p
If the diagnostics pass with no error codes, ensure that you perform re-installation of the windows by following the steps mentioned on the link below:
http://dell.to/Wj9o0m
If the activation error comes up after installing the windows, let me know if you have performed any hardware upgrade on the system.
Thanks & Regards
Manshu S
#iworkfordell