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#1
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XP Validation
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. The main webpage with two options to validate opens ok but both options fail. Files get downloaded but do not run. There is a MS tag on the bottom of the laptop. How do I tell what the tag represents ? What to do to validate ? Where do I look in Windows to get the product key ? |
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#2
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XP Validation
On 29-12-2017 0:32, FreeMan 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. The main webpage with two options to validate opens ok but both options fail. Files get downloaded but do not run. There is a MS tag on the bottom of the laptop. How do I tell what the tag represents ? What to do to validate ? Where do I look in Windows to get the product key ? You dont. Not in a legsl way. You have an illegal copy of xp. And only illegal ways of activating it. |
#3
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XP Validation
FreeMan 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. The main webpage with two options to validate opens ok but both options fail. Files get downloaded but do not run. There is a MS tag on the bottom of the laptop. How do I tell what the tag represents ? What to do to validate ? Where do I look in Windows to get the product key ? If IE6 isn't working properly with some Microsoft feature like this, you can install IE8. That's in case something "ActiveX" or otherwise, has a problem with the older browser for some reason. I seem to remember at least one occasion, where I had to use IE8 for something activation-related. You can use "mgadiag.exe" to get information about your activation state. http://forum.thewindowsclub.com/wind...diag-tool.html http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=203456 === click, and download starts... The download is from the Microsoft site. ******* There are several license keys at play here. 1) When Dell ships a WinXP era laptop, the BIOS has a SLIC table, and all the C: drives have the same Dell license key number. So that isn't a unique identifier. You cannot take that license key to a friends house and install WinXP with it. The key, in a vacuum, is useless. It's the SLIC table that says "I'm a Dell" and authorizes use of the OS. 2) When a COA sticker is placed on the Dell, that license key is a unique value. And it's *not* the same key as the one on the hard drive when you get the machine. The COA sticker key doesn't use SLIC, and is closer to the kind of key that would come in a retail box. The activation server knows what it is, and you'll need to use telephone activation confirmation to use the key. So it's not as "high class" a key as a Retail key would be. The COA key is suitable for installing using a "regular" WinXP CD of the same trim level. If the laptop came with Home, the COA sticker would be Home too, your retail reinstall CD should be Home as well. 3) When an "official refurbisher" like Joy Systems processes a machine, they're required to remove the Dell OS or any other OS found, and replace the content of the C drive with yet another OEM OS. This is the "OEM Refurbisher" version. The license key might be unique (as there'd be no easy way to rig up SLIC activation). In such a case, the COA sticker, if freshly applied, could be for the Refurbisher version. There's no reason to apply a COA sticker, unless the info on it has some value (to someone). They're not intended to be decorative, and are a communication between what passes for the hardware manufacturer, and the end user. The refurbisher OS does not have to match the original Dell version. Windows 7 machines at Joy Systems, ship with Win10 on them now :-( It's the only refurb Windows valid for usage now. The COA sticker information should match what Joy Systems installed on the C: drive. If the hard drive is destroyed or breaks, it's that COA sticker that provides a key for a fresh installation on a new hard drive. That's the theory. I can't promise you what MGADiag is going to show. I don't know a thing about reading MGADiag output. There is a user-to-user forum on microsoft.com, where there are some people who can "pronounce" what the problem is, pirate or whatever. Always be careful to read the intro article to such forums, to determine what fields of MGAdiag should not be shared in the forum. That's if you prefer to get your advice from a group like that. There is *no* web page at Microsoft, where you type in a license key and it tells you it's valid. Hackers would love if such a thing existed. Microsoft has to be coy with that sort of information. Microsoft is supposed to provide free support for activation issues. And one of the things they'll want is MGAdiag info. If you (somehow, mysteriously) got pirate software on there, they'll offer a "deal" for a valid OS copy, as well as take details as to where you bought the machine. I doubt there is anything wrong with the machine, and a regular activation process should fix it. If the machine was returned by another customer, then something done at that point might have broken it. For example, Staples sells Joy Systems machines, and perhaps a returned machines would go back to a Staples warehouse and not be properly reformatted after a customer has fiddled with it. I don't know if Staples drop-ships these, or caches a few in their own warehouse. It would be better if the refurbisher handles everything. Paul |
#4
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XP Validation
"FreeMan" wrote
| | Where do I look in Windows to get the product key ? There's a free program named Produkey that's handy to have. If the system was activated with a valid key it should tell you. But there could be variables. If it's OEM it shouldn't need to activate. Did it come with a backup? A hidden partition for restore? If so you might try restoring the system. It's hard to tell from your description, but I wonder if the system is just messed up. I think these days you have to call MS to get XP activated. Way back when, when they imposed this activation scam, the word was that they'd "probably" release a universal key when XP support ended. But they still haven't. At the time they probably assumed that no one would want XP by now, and never dreamed that more people would want their 17 year old system than want their new one. To release a key could result in an embarassing XP resurgence. |
#5
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XP Validation
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! -- Please visit our moderators personal page: https://tekrider.net/pages/david-brooks-stalker.php Now for a cheeky message from our sponsors: Bela Lugosi's dead. How about you? |
#6
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XP Validation
On 29/12/2017 05:53, Diesel wrote:
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. It depends whether the key is really legit. I activated a laptop with XP earlier this year. 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. Yes. 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. No, not really viable, as the rebuilt installation will not get any updates, not even the ones originally targeting XP. 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. Or ... On 28/12/2017 23:32, FreeMan wrote: Where do I look in Windows to get the product key ? Buy via eBay a for-spares-or-repairs PC or component from a similar model and identical make of PC that has a valid, already activated product key but for which the original PC is known to be dead and has not been used for quite a while. For example, many Dell laptops have their XP and Vista Product Keys on a cover of a compartment on the base, for which I suspect you could just buy the cover for a few dollars or quid. You may have to try two or three before you get one that works. The laptop I activated earlier this year was part of a test I ran, not originally intended for actual use, but as it happens I reloaded that image a few days ago to see what would happen, and it's still activated. |
#7
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XP Validation
I have a MS Universal License so I can just use that. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus |
#8
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XP Validation
Still no one has said what will happen if I do not validate.
What are the limitations of use ? So far I see no limitations. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus |
#9
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XP Validation
In message , Java Jive
writes: [] The laptop I activated earlier this year was part of a test I ran, not originally intended for actual use, but as it happens I reloaded that image a few days ago to see what would happen, and it's still activated. Do you mean you reloaded it to the machine it was originally on, or to a different machine? If the original, I wouldn't expect it to be other than still activated - I've not heard of activations "going bad", nor of machines checking to see whether they're bad, unless you're still doing updates. (Which I suppose I am - I installed the POS hack here, on this legal - OEM - machine, but I haven't noticed any updates even from that source for months, possibly longer.) -- J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf "One of my dearest memories is playing the leader of a gang of gay Hell's Angels thundering across the Golden Gate bridge on a motorbike in fog, wearing full Nazi regalia with a young man in a purple dress on the pillion petrified we'd crash into the bay." Christopher Lee (1997). ["It was in _The Serial_."] |
#10
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XP Validation
"FreeMan" wrote
| Still no one has said what will happen if I do not validate. | Look it up. People were spending the time to answer because we assumed you needed help. Now it turns out you have an enterprise key but just can't be bothered to look up the details of activation? |
#12
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XP Validation
Today I started my laptop and there is no mention of Validation required.
What's up ? |
#13
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XP Validation
FreeMan wrote:
Today I started my laptop and there is no mention of Validation required. What's up ? As a Leet Haxor, you've probably already looked up what KMS and VLK are, what server one of those contacts every X months to re-validate. And so on... And to find out about that stuff, you must already be a member of the (appropriate) forum :-/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volume_licensing Your box contacted the "thing" mentioned in the last paragraph of the article. Paul |
#14
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XP Validation
On 29/12/2017 17:58, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
Do you mean you reloaded it to the machine it was originally on, or to a different machine? If the original, I wouldn't expect it to be other than still activated - I've not heard of activations "going bad", nor of machines checking to see whether they're bad, unless you're still doing updates. I reloaded it back onto the same machine. I did it to see if it had 'gone bad', in the manner of the OP's, but, as I posted above, it seems fine, so I don't know what went wrong with the OP's. |
#15
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XP Validation
Java Jive news
Fri, 29 Dec 2017 13:41:35 GMT in alt.windows7.general, wrote:
On 29/12/2017 05:53, Diesel wrote: 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. It depends whether the key is really legit. I activated a laptop with XP earlier this year. Well, it's a little more complicated than that, actually. There's several types of legit keys and they won't all activate these days with the simple online activation option. A completely legit key can still fail to be accepted using that method. Been there, done it, many times. 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. Yes. Is there an echo in here? 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. No, not really viable, as the rebuilt installation will not get any updates, not even the ones originally targeting XP. Wrong answer. You've evidently never heard of WSUS. You might want to google a bit about it. You can get *ALL* updates available for Windows XP upto the point where MS stopped offering them. I did, infact. Saved the resulting .ISO too. Makes reloading XP if I choose to do so a much simpler and quicker process. 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. Or ... On 28/12/2017 23:32, FreeMan wrote: Where do I look in Windows to get the product key ? Buy via eBay a for-spares-or-repairs PC or component from a similar model and identical make of PC that has a valid, already activated product key but for which the original PC is known to be dead and has not been used for quite a while. For example, many Dell laptops have their XP and Vista Product Keys on a cover of a compartment on the base, for which I suspect you could just buy the cover for a few dollars or quid. You may have to try two or three before you get one that works. That product key isn't the one that was used to install Windows on the machine, though. And, the key may/may not be accepted by Microsoft, especially if it's been used before or used a certain amount of times already by others who followed the same poorly thought out advice you offered. The laptop I activated earlier this year was part of a test I ran, not originally intended for actual use, but as it happens I reloaded that image a few days ago to see what would happen, and it's still activated. Why wouldn't it be? Did you expect it to magically deactivate or something? -- Please visit our moderators personal page: https://tekrider.net/pages/david-brooks-stalker.php Now for a cheeky message from our sponsors: Disclaimer: Written by a highly caffeinated mammal. |
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