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Xp activation in safe mode

Last response: in Windows XP
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Hello,

I'm led to believe that anything relating to WPA does not in fact work in safe mode? Is there anything I can do, after days of trying to sort this out I'm getting absolutely nowhere grrr!
I was having problems with the computer 'hanging' on start up, it got so far then everything just kind of siezed up. After re-installing my registered copy of XP home edition, like many others it seems, I'm greeted with this activation error box? it simply says I need to contact Microsoft in order to activate and log in? How do I do that because after clicking Yes in the box, the computer just freezes again. No activation window, only a message about lack of synchronisation and nothing else.
I can boot up in safe mode but then what? I can't get online, the microsoft number I rang is just an automated message so in effect my computer is now rendered useless!

Can anyone help?

Thanks,
Geoff

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When you tap the F8 key on startup, at the splash screen, you should see several boot options.

Try selecting Safe Mode + Networking. That should get you Internet connectivity to register online, if that's what it wants you to do.

Good luck.

Hello,
Thanks very much for the prompt reply...I did try that earlier today but it wasn't successful, networks couldn't be found being the problem?
Is it affected by being wirelessly configured at all? Just wondering how to actually get online
I'm a bit of a novice on the technical aspects and kind of fudging my way around, I must be missing something out but will definitely try that again..Thankyou!

It's a very frustrating situation lol!
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" activation box now opening up in there so being stuck earlier, now have absolutely no idea of what to do? "

I'm sorry, but I'm not exactly sure what you're saying here. Can you clarify?

yea of course...when I try to boot up normally, I get the message stating that to continue I must contact microsoft in order to activate windows and move on (log in)?
when I booted up in safe mode + networking, I'm not sure why but I now get that same message and can't do anything?

You mentioned earlier that you were using a wireless connection? Try using a cable and see if that gives you connectivity, since Safe Mode + Networking might not enable your wireless networking card.

Geoff S said:
yea of course...when I try to boot up normally, I get the message stating that to continue I must contact microsoft in order to activate windows and move on (log in)?
when I booted up in safe mode + networking, I'm not sure why but I now get that same message and can't do anything?


You shouldn't have waited past the 30 day warning XP was giving you like 50 times a day to activate.

You shouldn't have waited past the 30 day warning XP was giving you like 50 times a day to activate.


I take your point but the thing is, the guy I bought the computer from (a reputable dealer) may have already activated the OS when setting it up for me? I've had the PC for around 3 years now and never actually had a warning about activation?
That's what makes it all the more confusing now! All I've ever added on are a couple of external hard drives (for photo storage) which shouldn't have made any difference to the config?

I've tried to contact MS but no-one is available on a weekend, there's just an automated message which is obviously of no use...no internet connection = no activation page :( 

Thanks anyway, I'll keep trying

Geoff S said:
<snip>

I take your point but the thing is, the guy I bought the computer from (a reputable dealer) may have already activated the OS when setting it up for me? I've had the PC for around 3 years now and never actually had a warning about activation?
<snip>


A "reputable" dealer would have known that it should be registered to you, not him or his shop.
Now you're going to need to explain to Microsoft that you bought it with XP already installed, (have the Key number), and hope the guy didn't use it anywhere else, or MS is going to tell you it is an invalid key and you need to purchase a new key. MS can be understanding about the need to re-install and activate, but the key had better not show up in their database as being used anywhere else. Your computer is going to generate an exclusive number that MS might want. This number will match the number from the original activation, and this is what will get you activated again. If the machine code is different, MS may assume the CD is being passed around, as well as the Key.

If you can get XP activated again, save the activation files in a safe place so you won't need to go through this again...

1. Double-click My Computer
2. Double-click on the "C" drive
3. Go to the C׃\Windows\System32 folder (you may have to click on the link that says "Show The contents of this folder")
4. Find the files "wpa.dbl" and "wpa.bak" and copy them to a safe location. You can copy them on a floppy drive or burn it onto a CD or DVD.
5. After you have reinstalled Windows XP on your reformatted hard drive, click "No" when asked if you want to go ahead and go through the activation process
6. Reboot your computer into SafeMode (you can either press F8 as Windows is booting up to see the Windows Advanced Options menu and select SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal or follow the instructions in Starting Windows XP in SafeMode
7. Double-click My Computer
8. Double-click on the "C" drive
9. Go to the C׃\Windows\System32 folder (you may have to click on the link that says "Show The contents of this folder")
10. Find the file "wpa.dbl" and "wpa.bak" (if it exists) and rename them to "wpadbl.new" and "wpabak.new"
11. Copy your original "wpa.dbl" and "wpa.bak" files from your floppy disk, CD or DVD into the C:\Windows\System32 folder
12. Restart your system

I've had the disc in my posession since the day I bought the PC...it's in an envelope with the key code label attached to it...the shop owner, whilst building and setting up the comp for me, obviously used the disc and key code in order to get the machine up & running ready for me to collect and use straightaway.

Call MS on the phone - you want to activate by phone - call the 800 number supplied after you tel the OS you want to activate by phone. You'll have to go through the automated prompts, but you want to speak to a person, so you can explain what happened. That number is staffed 24/7. They'll give you a code. etc. that'll allow you activate the OS.
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