XP install problem, on reinstall due disk failure

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

"D. Lahouss" <dlahouss@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:535001c49156$c77ba280$a601280a@phx.gbl...
>I purchased an academic copy of Windows XP Home with a new
> computer, however, I put the computer together myself, and
> installed Windows. I have the Activation Code, and the
> 30-digit number for registering by phone, and the code that
> is returned. My hard drive failed, and I am forced to
> reinstall XP. When I try to e-mail for help, it tells me
> to contact the oem maker. When I register by phone (it
> gives me a different key), the automated voice tells me
> that it was originally registered with a wrong key, and I
> should generate a new key. I follow those steps, update to
> the same key, and the system refuses that as well.
> I own this copy of Windows, and I'm trying to install on
> the same computer as I originally installed on. I believe
> I'm within the EULA.
> I'd like this to be solved by getting an activation code
> for the key that install is giving me, or by telling me how
> to set my install key to what it was originally.

Choose the "activate by phone" option and talk to a live person.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

There isn't a "Talk to live person option. There is
toll-free, which gives me no help, and toll. I assume you
mean the toll number. I've tried using a calling card for
it, but if I have to pay to use the windows I've already
paid for, I think I'll just upgrade to XP pirated.
Or another operating system where I can get help.
>-----Original Message-----
>
>"D. Lahouss" <dlahouss@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:535001c49156$c77ba280$a601280a@phx.gbl...
>>I purchased an academic copy of Windows XP Home with a new
>> computer, however, I put the computer together myself, and
>> installed Windows. I have the Activation Code, and the
>> 30-digit number for registering by phone, and the code that
>> is returned. My hard drive failed, and I am forced to
>> reinstall XP. When I try to e-mail for help, it tells me
>> to contact the oem maker. When I register by phone (it
>> gives me a different key), the automated voice tells me
>> that it was originally registered with a wrong key, and I
>> should generate a new key. I follow those steps, update to
>> the same key, and the system refuses that as well.
>> I own this copy of Windows, and I'm trying to install on
>> the same computer as I originally installed on. I believe
>> I'm within the EULA.
>> I'd like this to be solved by getting an activation code
>> for the key that install is giving me, or by telling me how
>> to set my install key to what it was originally.
>
>Choose the "activate by phone" option and talk to a live
person.
>
>
>.
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

after talking with the helpful tech support people, I was
able to get this problem solved. It was helpful for me to
talk with a real person, by "zeroing out" at the machine
prompt. Thank you.