Windows Continuously Asking to Activate

Hello.

I am currently doing some computer work for someone which involves upgrading them from Win98 to WinXP Home. I have installed WinXP twice already after reformating the drive (including deleting and creating a new partition) and after bootup, the machine asks me to activate. So I do, then it says "Thank you, successfully activated blah blah blah. Then immediately after, its asks me to reactivate. The copy of XP is OEM.

Any idea whats going on?

Dan

 

OEM, provided by who?

Post what the front of the CD says in its entirety, verbatim.

 

The CD says Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition.
Includes Service Pack 2 Version 2002.
For distribution with a new PC only. For product support, contact the manufacturer of your PC.
Do not lend or make illegal copies of this software..

I think thats about all the important stuff.

I purchased it through an online retailer that I buy things through all the time. As far as I know, they aren't doing anything illegal.

On the note of illegal software, what really, is the deal with the rule that hardware must be sold with OEM software???

Dan

 

For upgrading, it should be either retail or and upgrade cd.

For OEM it should be for ALL NEW hardware.

 

Even though I reformatted and repartitioned, I should have used an upgrade or retail CD?

Dan

 

I'm just talking (typing) legality.

OEM is for NEW computers.

Retail is for already owned computers.

But, once again, it is odd that ye have to activate twice. On the 2nd activation, call MS and go that route.

 

Actually, I did. I spent time talking to the computer that guides you through the process, and same thing happened.

Dan

 

Wondering if this has a connection...

During system boot up, I get an error message saying something to the effect of a 2f8 IRQ conflict. I understand this to mean something with the keyboard. Is my machine typing something at some point that it shouldn't?

A suggestion.

Thanks for the hand so far folks.

Dan

 

USB or PS2 keyboard?

If ye are ye using USB try PS2.

 

PS2 Older keyboard sure enough but its PS2.

Dan

 

Any other ideas as to whats going on?

Dan