XP license may be invalid, how to reactivate?

[bill]

My sister-in-laws friend (Tony) has Windows XP and it locked out. He believes he may have a copy that was installed on multiple computers ( I would guess, corporate) and after an update he can't get past the log-in screen. He called Microsoft (twice) but couldn't understand the technician due to the language barrier.

Of course, he doesn't want to loose his data... If I ship him an XP disk and valid license code is there a way to get him fixed up by booting to the CD and installing the new license code?...any other ideas that may help him out and make his OS legal? Unfortunately he lives about three hours from me so I can't remove his hard drive, back it up, format and clean install.

FYI, Tony is computer illiterate, he "thinks" XP was installed over Windows ME. The guy who originally worked on Tony's computer is no longer available so I can't be more specific.

Thanks

Ps, I only have XP Pro & Home licenses available to give him. If he has corporate installed is that a problem?

[Boba_Fett]

Well, first of all, if he does have a "corporate" version, it is:

1. Illegal already (infamous pirate version)
2. Wouldn't get its license revoked because that part was ripped out of the priated version. An update would NOT make XP suddenly die.

If he did install over ME (an incredibly buggy OS), that might be the source of his problems. If you can, go over to his house and do a CLEAN install. That will fix it...

[bill]

Thanks Boba_Fett, appreciate the help. I was just typing out some updated information when I read your reply. Read on.


Somebody shoot me...

I just got off the phone with Microsoft and thought I had the solution all worked out. It took about an hour and three calls but eventually I learned how to change the license key. When you are prompted to reactive the software, select activate by telephone, then select change product key, enter the new key then reactivate XP. I mention this just in case anyone else has the same problem one day. I've only activated XP on-line so I wasn't aware of this method.


So the rest of the story goes as follows.

I call Tony and ask him to start his computer.

Tony starts the computer, gets the post beep ( I can hear it over the phone ) and then a long pause.

So I ask- Tony, what's going on?

Tony says- Nothing.

I ask- What do you mean, nothing?

Tony says- Nothing, I have a black screen.

I ask- Is this the first time its happened?

Tony says- No, its been intermittent.

I ask- Why didn't you tell me?

Tony says- I didn't think about it.

I asked- Tony, are you off your meds?

Tony chuckles.

To make a long story short, Tony didnt explain everything very well during our first conversation.

Maybe XP thought he was changing hardware and it prompted for re-activation, who knows. His computer is six years old so I told him to think about buying a new one.

[cfitz]

I asked- Tony, are you off your meds?

To make a long story short, Tony didnt explain everything very well during our first conversation.

Boy, I've been down that road before when trying to remotely help friends and family with computer problems. It can be very frustrating.

His computer is six years old so I told him to think about buying a new one.

That sounds like the best solution to me. And make sure he purchases a support plan for it - maybe that will take some of the burden off of you.

cfitz

[bill]

Hi Cfitz,

I thought someone might enjoy that little story.

Tony is a good guy and I would like to build a small tower for him. He's been a terrific friend to my sister-in-law since my brother died. But with the distance between us its hard to offer him good support. He should have a computer that comes with a restore cd and I like your idea of the support plan, thanks.

Take care