| [XP Home] can't activate windows xp home I just purchased an open box Shuttle system from Best Buy. When I booted it up, Windows loaded fine, however, I wanted to restore it to factory settings, just to make sure it was at its default settings. I opened up system restore and restored all the way back to the earliest point, which I think was called Software Distribution.
Upon the machine restarting, Windows came up and informed me that I would need to activate it before being able to use it. I first tried the Internet option, but it fails to connect and won't let me configure the network settings, then called up the 888 number and tried to activate over the phone. Long story short, after talking to a MS rep, he said my product key (which was on a sticker on the side of the cpu case) was invalid and I needed to contact the retailer, who could issue me a new key.
Now I'm a little confused here, as its obvious that SOMEBODY already activated it previously, but mysteriously my key is no longer any good. I'm doubting that Best Buy can give me a new key, so is there anything I can do about this? |
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ChiTangPremium,MVM
join:2002-08-23
Alhambra, CA
kudos:1 | Can you use the restore CD to restore instead of using restore point within windows. |
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| It didn't come with a Windows CD. Or at least one wasn't in the box... I emailed Shuttle to see if I was supposed to have one, but I know that some manufacturers just put all the restore info on the HD now. |
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 ChipPremium
join:2001-12-23
Connecticut
 ·Comcast Formerl..
| reply to Megahurtz
Oem computers now come already pre-activated. You rolled it back to the point in time when the OS was installed(before it was activated).
MS doesn't deal with pre-activated systems. Your best bet is to try to undo the restore by using a restore point after software distribution, or as ChiTang suggested, use the restore disk(if you even have one)
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The three great strategies for obscuring an issue are to introduce irrelevancies, to arouse prejudice, and to excite ridicule--Bergen Evans |
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| Is it possible to get back into system restore? Right now when I boot it up and log on "Owner", all I can do is attempt to activate it or log off. |
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ChiTangPremium,MVM
join:2002-08-23
Alhambra, CA
kudos:1 | reply to Megahurtz
You you buy it from best buy, the system has a name brand and you it does not come with an OEM CD or a restore CD. Someone is dropping the ball along the line. If you cannot restore it to the point after the activation. I would just take it back to best buy and exchange for another one. |
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ChiTangPremium,MVM
join:2002-08-23
Alhambra, CA
kudos:1 | reply to Megahurtz
said by Megahurtz:Is it possible to get back into system restore? Right now when I boot it up and log on "Owner", all I can do is attempt to activate it or log off. You can try to borrow an XP CD, boot into repair console. CD to C:\windows\system32\restore and excute rstrui and C.
I have not done it myself cos I have never got myself in this situation before. |
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| reply to Megahurtz
I managed to get back into system restore from safe mode. What is making me wonder is that when I entered safe mode, it listed the OS as XP Media Center, although the box says it is supposed to have XP Home. I'm thinking maybe somebody installed Media Center (pirated one?) on there, which would explain why my product key is no good.
I guess for now I'll try to get a restore disc from Shuttle and go with the most recent working restore point. |
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| You should be fighting this out with Best Buy, not Shuttle. |
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ChiTangPremium,MVM
join:2002-08-23
Alhambra, CA
kudos:1 | reply to Megahurtz
Even of shuttle is going to give you a CD (I doubt they will cos each one is supposingly paid and each one counts). The best bet is to take it back to best buy and get a fresh start unless you are not being straight and you bought it looooog time ago. |
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| reply to Megahurtz
Going back to Best Buy would be the easiest route, but they no longer carry this model (G5960). That was the reason they sold it to me for 50% off the normal retail price... It was their last one and they wanted to clear it out, so its not like I can just walk in and swap it for another 5960. I guess I'll have to talk to them, but really a restore cd would make me perfectly happy. |
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ChiTangPremium,MVM
join:2002-08-23
Alhambra, CA
kudos:1 | May be that expalins why it does not have the restore CD cos they did not have one for this PC. You are SOL. Shuttle may give you one but I doubt they will. There are varies way to have a fresh install without activation but you have to search elsewhere. |
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 javaManPremium,MVM
join:2002-07-15
San Luis Obispo, CA | reply to Megahurtz
Since you got is so cheap in the first place you might consider just buying an OEM disk from Newegg or somewhere and starting from scratch. You would at least then know what you have. Sometimes spending a few extra bucks is worth avoiding all the headaches. 
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Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness. . . Isa. 5:20 |
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ChipPremium
join:2001-12-23
Connecticut Reviews:
·Comcast Formerl..
| reply to Megahurtz
The product key isn't valid, because it's manufacturer installed OS.
The activation scheme is different for computer manufacturers as compared to an individual. The only activation/reactivation MS deals with now, is for individuals who actually went out and purchased a disk from a retailer.
Once a computer manufacturer installs and activates the OS. a reactivation situation becomes the problem for the manufacturer, not MS. Because your product key is tied to a manufacturer, it's not in the retail activation system. Hence, not a valid key(for that system).
As far as it recognizing your OS as "media center," I wouldn't read too much into that. It's probably just a glitch. When i run a "system file check" on my computer, it asks for the XP Pro disk, even though I have XP Home.
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The three great strategies for obscuring an issue are to introduce irrelevancies, to arouse prejudice, and to excite ridicule--Bergen Evans |
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 denb45Premium
join:2001-02-04
Albuquerque, NM
·Comcast
| reply to Megahurtz
said by Megahurtz:Going back to Best Buy would be the easiest route, but they no longer carry this model (G5960). That was the reason they sold it to me for 50% off the normal retail price... It was their last one and they wanted to clear it out, so its not like I can just walk in and swap it for another 5960. I guess I'll have to talk to them, but really a restore cd would make me perfectly happy. I would ask Best Buy why they sold you a system without any Restore CDs, unless, you, they told you this PC was sold "AS IS" if you bought it "AS IS" and you passed the 7 to 10 day Best Buy Return policy, then, you may be outta
Luck? dosen't hurt to try tho, Good Luck with Best Buy, I hope everything works out?
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AMD ATHLON XP-MOBILE 2500+OC'd 2.2GHz 3200+ BARTON GA-7N400 PRO Dual Channel Corsair CMX PC3200 DDR400 512MB x 2 = 1 Gig Radeon 9200 128MB w/DVIMatxor 120GB SATA/150 Windows XP Professional w/ SP2 |
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| reply to Megahurtz
I just purchased it *today*, so at least that shouldn't be much of an issue. Best Buy didn't say anything was missing and the box was sealed with their inspected by Best Buy tape, so I assumed everything was there. No keyboard and mouse when I opened it up should have tipped me off...
I did some more exploring and it definately is Media Center on there. I can load the Media Center interface and played around with it a bit. Everything worked except the TV function, since I obviously don't have a tuner in the system.
One of the techs at Best Buy said they would put XP Home on it and set it up for me if I bring it in. If they're just going to reformat and reinstall, I already have extra XP Pro cds and keys. I'm still hoping to get a restore cd so I can get any pre-installed bundled apps Shuttle might have put on there. |
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denb45Premium
join:2001-02-04
Albuquerque, NM Reviews:
·Comcast
1 edit | said by Megahurtz:One of the techs at Best Buy said they would put XP Home on it and set it up for me if I bring it in. If they're just going to reformat and reinstall, I already have extra XP Pro cds and keys. I'm still hoping to get a restore cd so I can get any pre-installed bundled apps Shuttle might have put on there. If you bring that in ask that BestBuy Tech How is he gonna put XP Home on your system? and ask him, will you have that XP Home CD to take home with you if you ever need to install the OS again, look at it this way, you PAID for
an OS, so, you should get an OS, If Bestbuy is offering this as a solution, I would sure TAKE IT and go Home Have a Coke and a Smile!!!
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AMD ATHLON XP-MOBILE 2500+
OC'd 2.2GHz 3200+ BARTON GA-7N400 PRO Dual Channel Corsair CMX PC3200 DDR400 512MB x 2 = 1 Gig Radeon 9200 128MB w/DVI
Matxor 120GB SATA/150 Windows XP Professional w/ SP2 |
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