FreeMan
news GMT in alt.windows7.general, wrote:

Months after purchasing a XP Pro refurbished laptop I am getting a
* in the tray and wanting to validate. I have used every day for
hours.

I tried all the options and they all failed that are presented
from the menu at the * in the tray.

Several of the webpages that get opened are blank.

You have a couple of options...You can continue trying via the
browser method, but, you need to update ie6 to atleast sp1 or, go
with ie8.

Alternatively, you can try this from console to bring up the
activation window I described above and go from there. Keep in mind,
it renders in html, so if your copy of ie is foobared, this may not
work. Each line requires you to press enter after it, naturally.

open cmd.exe via start/run
cd\windows\system32\oobe
msoobe /a

Of the options presented, online activation probably isn't going to
work. Most likely you will be calling MS via a phone number it'll
provide you. read the 'codes' it presents and when finished, assuming
it accepts them all, it'll give you back more codes to enter into the
boxes. Once you do, you'll be re-activated. If that doesn't work,
you'll be speaking to an MS representative. If they believe you that
the key is legit, they *might* give you corresponding codes as
described above to complete the process. And, if they don't... well,
you might be offered a discount on a later legal copy of windows.

Keep in mind, your machine may not be all that pleased with a later
copy of Windows. So, you have other options now. Switch to a more
recent hardware wise computer that's probably going to come with a
newer version of Windows.. OR, keep the machine you have and take the
plunge into the world of Linux.

Wait, I lied. There's actually another option, but, it's not exactly
a legal one. That is, if you really want to keep XP pro. You'll have
to reinstall it, from scratch though. Reinstalling, VLK edition with
a known good key. This obviously requires you finding a vlk edition
iso and a good key. A generous soul might provide both, but, not via
this medium. As, I said, this route isn't legal in your case.

Oh drat, I forgot about another possible option. You'll have to do
your own homework/searching for it, but, there's a program out there
that can trick it into thinking it's activated. I personally wouldn't
recommend this manner of activation as, well, it's a bandaid approach
on a good day.

Good luck!






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