Post reinstall Cannot Activate Windows XP SP3

Having just purchased a new PC tower with Windows 8.1 pre-installed I find that two of my very important programs namely Quicken 2005 and Paint Shop Pro x 3 will not run on 8.1. For this reason I am still having to run my old XP PC mainly for Quicken. The problem is a short time ago XP crashed and I had to do a full format and re-install basic programs I still need. I have done this on previous occasions and have been able to activate XP with no problems.

From the above I now find that I keep getting messages requiring Activation of XP. (It is a legal copy). The snag is that when I click on the Activation Icon no Activation Screen appears. It does not seem clear online as to what Microsoft's attitude will be in regards to activating XP now that it is no longer supported.

I found UK Microsoft Activation phone No. 0800 018 8354. I got directed all over the place until finally I just got a continuous tone, (twice)! In other words I got absolutely nowhere.

Can anyone tell me what will happen to my XP install after the final Activation date if I cannot do this? Will my PC still basically work does anyone know?

Many thanks if anyone knows.

 

Have you tried to run the installer in compatibility mode. right-click the installation file and enter compatibility mode and put it under windows XP sp3. It might not work but it's worth a shot

 

micrexa...

Just to clarify, you tried this already?

Here is the Microsoft page containing the phone number for activating Windows over the phone:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/326851

 

Ref to my post of 31 July have now managed to run Quicken 2005 in Windows 8.1; still no go with Paint Shop Pro x 3, PSP x 2 does work however also in Windows XP. Seems odd to me that PSP x 3 just won't run. It can be installed but as soon as trying to open, a message appears 'program has stopped working' or words to that effect. Uninstalled it, reinstalled after resetting 8.1 still get same problem. Any hope on that one?

Have tried suggestions posted re the non activation of Windows XP all to no avail. I have four days left to activate. If I still cannot does anyone know what happens after four days, does XP stop working altogether or just as a restricted version? Will Microsoft lock out my legal Product Key? Would it be wiser to reinstall XP just before it 'expires' and get another 30 days of use.

Can get nowhere trying to activate by phone, just get passed from pillar to post and finish up with a continuous tone on phone after 20 or 30 minutes!

Thanks for any further suggestions.

 

After 30 days Windows XP will not work. At this point it's better to re-install Windows XP. You'll have 30 days to establish why it can't be activated.

Did you install and run Paint Shop Pro x 3 in Compatability Mode?