Windows XP Claims it needs to reactivate...

Alright so about a month and a half ago I bought all the hardware and built this PC. I picked up an OEM Version of Windows XP MCE. Everything was running just fine, haven't made a single change to the hardware. I installed a trial of Daemon Tools and it asked if I wanted to restart to finish the install, I went ahead and said yes because I wasn't doing anything important.

Reboot.

Once it starts up Windows says there has been a significant change in hardware and needs to re-activate. I hit ok and chose to activate by internet, but then it says that I have used the maximum number of activations with this product code. And again keep in mind, I have not done anything to the hardware... So now it looks like I will have to call MS tomorrow and talk to them. Any way to fix this without bothering with their support?

 

Nevermind, after trying 3 or 4 more times it succeed in activating by the internet...

 

I had a virus that wiped out the HD. I re-formatted, reinstalled an XP version of windows from another computer and now it requests "activation" and the key provided by MS is no good per MS recording after entering it. Now what? Am I sunk?

 

If it installed, and is running, you're half way there.

MicroSlop provides toll-free phone numbers you can call for Activation. Use them.

 

MicroSlop ???? I see you had at one time dealings with them too!!!!:-D

 

You are 1/2 way there until you get an error msg saying "activation needed". You put in the numbers they give you and then it comes back and saying "numbers not recognized" leaving you dead in the water. Where to go from here?

 

Well,, where they want you to go,, is to go out and $$ Purchase $$ an upgrade.
Upgrade = $$$$.

 

Yes, already know they want you to spend more money when it is not necessary. I am just trying to find a way to get around their bs and use what I have already paid for more then one time (2 computers).