XP Activation issues after SP2

[natemc]

I have XP home running on one computer and EVERYDAY it asks to be activated, I had to call in and get it activated because it wasn't working online. but now every time i boot up I have to re-activate it, fortunately it works with activation online, but it's been done 4 times already and after I hit so many am I going to have to talk to Sanjeeb at MS again with their 42 digit codes.

Seriously annoying. Anyone else having issues with SP2 and activation or a way to prevent this.

 

[chemwiz]

I just set up one that's doing that too. It was fine until I installed SP2, then it started asking for activation after each reboot. It does it online, but it's a pain. If I figure it out I'll post the solution.

 

[Smilin]

Please give MS a call about this. Activation is a necessary evil and MS is very sensitive to any frustration it causes. Tech support will be happy to get this fixed for you. 1-800-936-4900

 

[chemwiz]

I tried calling, for SP2 issues the number is 888-772-4357. It said 45 minutes to wait, and I don't have time for that right now.

 

[Smilin]

Tell them it's activation, not sp2.

Queue is empty right now.

 

[natemc]

It did it again today, and of course I'm not awake during their support hours and he gave me the 1-888 number from above even though I explained and made it clear that it's activation issues. Lemme know what happens and see if I can adjsut my hours to call them or if it's a fix you can share.

 

[Smilin]

Ok, just so you're clear when you call in.

Tell them you have a problem with product activation and that you need to speak with tech support, not the product activation people - those guys only take down your info and give you a number, they don't troubleshoot. Tech support is open 24/7 even on Christmas. Use the 1-800-936-4900 number. This may very well be SP2 related, but troubleshooting needs to begin with a non-SP2 specific team.

 

[TrentSteel]

Originally posted by: Smilin
Please give MS a call about this. Activation is a necessary evil and MS is very sensitive to any frustration it causes. Tech support will be happy to get this fixed for you. 1-800-936-4900

That's good advice.

I used to have to phone in once every few months when I reinstalled WinXP, but finally they started letting me activate over the internet without the added hassle of exchanging numbers with an activation cube monkey (actually they probably work at something more like a library carrol, not a cube).

X5O!P%@AP[4\PZX54(P^)7CC)7}$EICAR-STANDARD-ANTIVIRUS-TEST-FILE!$H+H*
Copy the above line into a text doc by itself to test your antivirus.

wtf, mate? I did what you said, and now my computer is addicted to heroin.

 

[zodder]

lol

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: TrentSteel
wtf, mate? I did what you said, and now my computer is addicted to heroin.

...your AV app should catch it, report it as "Eikar standard test virus" (or something similar), and delete it (or do what it usually does to viruses).

 

[natemc]

Anyone get a chance to call MS and get it resloved yet, I just haven't been using that computer, been too busy to sit on hold.

 

[natemc]

i finally got a day to call MS, I am currently on bounced transfer #3 to Windows XP Support
I started out 25 minutes ago wtih XP SP2 Support, who send me to Customer Service to get a new activation key which of course did nothing.
This is asinine. I'm doing their quality assurance work for them and not getting paid for it.

 

[natemc]

After 46 minutes on the phone with 3 different people, getting put on hold a total of 8 different times, the conclusion is.....

MS DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM!!!!!

a repair install is all they can suggest. But they are not sure if it will fix the problem.

 

[Canterwood]

I feel for you guys.
All that hassle would seriously **** me off.
Hope it gets sorted.

 

[OatMan]

a repair install is all they can suggest. But they are not sure if it will fix the problem.

I'm also having this problem. Regardless of activating online, or through a phone rep, I have to reactivate every reboot...

I talked with a CS rep Sunday eveing who said TS was closed, but gave me the number and assured me that the problem isn't SP2, but something istalled on my computer cuasing and incompatibility. He meant well, but I thought that was funny. Its not SP2, its my computer... MS never has any bugs or issues, just too many poorly built incompatible machines in the world...

>>>>Anyway the point of my post is that I tried to do a repair, it did not work, and I then tried to re-install winXP over top, reran all updates EXCEPT SP2, it still didn't work. THen tried SP2 again, still no go...

Last resort now is dealing with the TS children. NOT OPTIMISTIC

 

[coolVariable]

I know it's frowned upon, but in this case I woudl just crack the Prod Activation ... it can't be too hard. There are probably already hacker tools out there that will help you with this ...

 

[fords8]

I had this problem with a rig. I installed SP2 and it started to do it. What I did was uninstall the SP2 and reinstalled it and it was fine. Hope this helps.

 

[natemc]

I did the repair install back to SP1 and it still kept doing it, hopefully someone else has better luck with their phone staff.
I know this isn't the best way but I do own a legit copy of the software but a pre-cracked install disc was the only thing that stopped it from asking. MS's own anti-piracy technology is seriously hurting them if the only way to fix it is to circumvent it.

 

[OatMan]

Ughhh!

I really don't want to circumvent the activation, call me prude.

I already tried a repair and a reinstall overtop.

I just don't have the time for a clean reinstillation. I use so much software that have so many patches, and so much stuff to back up that we're talking many man hours (I'm not real good at automation and shortcuts).

Besides I'm really pissed about having legit software and doing the right thing and getting screwed and then having M$ blame me. Their patch is fine, I must have something in conflict (duh.) as if I'm tainted or obviously trying to do something illeagle. That seemed to be the CS guys tone...

BTW regarding "cricumventing" the activation.

If you think a big software company like M$ with huge resources for testing scrwed things up with their "patch" what do you think about some "Hack" designed by whoknowswho for goshknowswhat? I mean you think that would be SAFE? Not to mention that SP2 hasn't been out long for any kind of reliable crack or whatever. Thats not even to touch the leagality issues, which despite my hatred of M$ I do take seriously.

Count me outta that world o' pain.

Thanks for the insights though, and if anyone comes up with anything... I'll of course do the same. Didn't make it home from work by 6 today, so I'll have to try tomorrow.

OM

 

[chemwiz]

I got mine to work, I "unactivated" it, installed sp2, then gave it the serial number again. It stayed working after that. This was XP Home SP1a that I did it with, don't know if it'll work for anyone else. Here's a link to deactivating it. http://labmice.techtarget.com/.../articles/changeID.htm