Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)
The company I work for purchased 100 plus computers from Gateway. They did NOT install Windows XP Professional on any of the computers, they installed Windows NT and then last year upgraded to Windows 2000. All these Windows XP Professional CDs were available to anyone. I brought one home and installed it a couple weeks ago.
During the installation, it asked me for the code on the hologram sticker that is on my work computer. When the installation was complete, I don’t know how I did it but I discovered I still had Windows 98 installed. When the system booted up I didn’t have the choice of XP or 98, it went to XP. I NEVER received any message that I needed to activate my version. I did discover the files I had on Windows 98 when I did a file search. My son told me I should re-install to free up hard drive space and with help I found on the Microsoft site was able to complete the installation and only have one operating system. This time during installation it didn’t ask me for the 25 digit/number code and now every day when I turn the computer on it tells me I need to activate Windows XP. When I click on the icon I get the message that it has already been activated. I now am getting the message that it will expire in 27 days.
I called Gateway and explained my problem to them but they said that since the computer wasn’t a Gateway they couldn’t help and told me to call Microsoft.
The first number I called I got someone that I believe wasn’t in the States because his English was VERY BAD and I had to keep spelling everything. He told me I needed to call an activation number. It was an automated service but when I hit the zero button on the phone I got a real live person who spoke English with no foreign accent. I explained my problem to him, told him I had the OEM number and activation digit/number from the hologram but he said I’d need assistance from Customer Support and that there should be no problem.
I was transferred to Customer Support only to be connected to another person with a foreign accent who had trouble understanding my English. I gave her my OEM number and the activation code and after putting me on hold for several times finally said I’d either have to check on the website for assistance or get help for $35. I had already checked the website and found that I could get 2 incidents and unlimited installation support at no charge and explained this to her but she kept insisting that I’d have to have the paid support option or use Microsoft’s Knowledge Base. She couldn’t explain to me why the website said I could get 2 incidents and unlimited installation support at no charge.
I tried calling the activation number again today and this time was transferred to Technical Support and unfortunately it was another person with a foreign accent. It seems that Microsoft is routing their calls overseas where labor is cheaper. This rep told me since my software has an OEM number that I’d have to call for pay help since it is software from Gateway. If I do have to spend the $35 to get assistance, can someone assure me that I’ll be able to get my Windows XP activated? I don’t want to be out $35. Will I be able to do this over the Internet since it seems that each time I call I get someone with a foreign accent who is very hard to understand.
I found something on eBay but don’t know if it will help. The description is WINDOWS KEY CODE DISK 98 98SE ME 2000 XP HOME PRO This is a product key code Viewer Changer Utility for Windows 98 / 98se / Me / XP Home XP Pro 2000 Pro If you lost your original key code and need to Restore or Reinstall Windows 98/98se/Me/XP/2000 This Will Work. This utility disk will Decode and display the original Alpha Numeric Product Key Code used when windows was installed on your computer. This updated utility will even let you change the key code
Suggestions, other than to never listen to my son? Advise?
The company I work for purchased 100 plus computers from Gateway. They did NOT install Windows XP Professional on any of the computers, they installed Windows NT and then last year upgraded to Windows 2000. All these Windows XP Professional CDs were available to anyone. I brought one home and installed it a couple weeks ago.
During the installation, it asked me for the code on the hologram sticker that is on my work computer. When the installation was complete, I don’t know how I did it but I discovered I still had Windows 98 installed. When the system booted up I didn’t have the choice of XP or 98, it went to XP. I NEVER received any message that I needed to activate my version. I did discover the files I had on Windows 98 when I did a file search. My son told me I should re-install to free up hard drive space and with help I found on the Microsoft site was able to complete the installation and only have one operating system. This time during installation it didn’t ask me for the 25 digit/number code and now every day when I turn the computer on it tells me I need to activate Windows XP. When I click on the icon I get the message that it has already been activated. I now am getting the message that it will expire in 27 days.
I called Gateway and explained my problem to them but they said that since the computer wasn’t a Gateway they couldn’t help and told me to call Microsoft.
The first number I called I got someone that I believe wasn’t in the States because his English was VERY BAD and I had to keep spelling everything. He told me I needed to call an activation number. It was an automated service but when I hit the zero button on the phone I got a real live person who spoke English with no foreign accent. I explained my problem to him, told him I had the OEM number and activation digit/number from the hologram but he said I’d need assistance from Customer Support and that there should be no problem.
I was transferred to Customer Support only to be connected to another person with a foreign accent who had trouble understanding my English. I gave her my OEM number and the activation code and after putting me on hold for several times finally said I’d either have to check on the website for assistance or get help for $35. I had already checked the website and found that I could get 2 incidents and unlimited installation support at no charge and explained this to her but she kept insisting that I’d have to have the paid support option or use Microsoft’s Knowledge Base. She couldn’t explain to me why the website said I could get 2 incidents and unlimited installation support at no charge.
I tried calling the activation number again today and this time was transferred to Technical Support and unfortunately it was another person with a foreign accent. It seems that Microsoft is routing their calls overseas where labor is cheaper. This rep told me since my software has an OEM number that I’d have to call for pay help since it is software from Gateway. If I do have to spend the $35 to get assistance, can someone assure me that I’ll be able to get my Windows XP activated? I don’t want to be out $35. Will I be able to do this over the Internet since it seems that each time I call I get someone with a foreign accent who is very hard to understand.
I found something on eBay but don’t know if it will help. The description is WINDOWS KEY CODE DISK 98 98SE ME 2000 XP HOME PRO This is a product key code Viewer Changer Utility for Windows 98 / 98se / Me / XP Home XP Pro 2000 Pro If you lost your original key code and need to Restore or Reinstall Windows 98/98se/Me/XP/2000 This Will Work. This utility disk will Decode and display the original Alpha Numeric Product Key Code used when windows was installed on your computer. This updated utility will even let you change the key code
Suggestions, other than to never listen to my son? Advise?
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