XP requires validation AGAIN

I'm working on a friend's computer and got the hardware issues fixed. Apparently it took a power surge and the PSU and MoBo were both DOA. I got a new PSU and MoBo, installed them and now it boots... to an XP screen that tells me I need to validate Windows XP... When I try calling the toll-free number all I get is an automated voice that tells me I can't validate this computer using the validation numbers I give it, because it's already been validated... well, yeah. So how do I get around this?
Keith

 

Microsoft
the machine that do's not work about 90% of the time if you need a Validation Code than some one will have to give you a new.

How to activate Windows XP by phone
To contact a Microsoft customer service representative to activate Windows by phone, follow these steps: 1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Activate Windows.

Or, click the Windows Activation icon in the notification area.
2. Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to active Windows now.
3. Click Read the Windows Product Activation Privacy Statement, click Back, and then click Next.
4. Follow the steps in the Activate Windows by phone dialog box, and then click Next.

Note The number appears now and differs based on the location that you select.
5. When activation is completed and you receive the following message, click OK.
You have successfully activated your copy of Windows.

 

When you call the automated number, you should be able to stay on the line and talk to a human in India... a "license validation specialist". Explain your situation, be truthful, and if needed they will supply you with a new product key. You MUST have a real, legitimate product key, either on a sticker on the PC or with your XP disc (the XP upgrade retail version will have the product key on a yellow sticker that doesn't get stuck to the PC). They will look up the current key to make sure it is real, and then will supply you with a new key to activate/validate the new install. I just went through this exact same procedure not 2 days ago. I reloaded Windows XP using the product key on the PC (an HP) and it would not activate/validate online or via the automated voice. Once I got a human on the line, it went smooth.

 

When you activate the code, the information about the parts included is stored along with the code. If you change too many components (motherboard counts a lot) in the computer then the code will become invalid and trying to activate via the computer/internet system will not work. Try using the phone to activate but you will need to speak to a person. They might give you a new code to input but they could also say that you have, in essence, a new computer which will require a new OS code that you would have to buy.

 

Hi,

This is ge-eek! 101 stuff :-D - try this boot in safe mode.
Press (f8) at the very start up of pc press every second or so if windows starts to load youve missed the menu screen with the option to load in safe mode..which youll find at the top of a list of options in white text..and before login screen appears.
Then you can still get through and use something like winkeyfinder (google it) which has an option to change the key or re-enter it, it is still required that its activated after this..but its a better / quicker option than reinstalling. Good luck with this one..

 

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/se...en&sGuid=b3c44f4d-6962-4209-8541-9e3aae761acb
Used this tool successfully recently after an XP Home install using one of our desktop XP Home installation disks, onto a laptop with an XP Pro Build 2535 installation. The XP Home COA sticker on the laptop made it possible, friend now has a legal OS, (Bought the laptop at a yard sale) unfortunately it didn't work on one of the desktops with a COA sticker that I was given. Oh well, PCLOS kicks... Microsoft is funny about hardware changes, I believe three is the limit, it hurts the guy trying to do things right sometimes.
Bug

 

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/content.aspx?pg=mpa&displaylang=en

 

I've had this twice now, w/motherboards and cpu changes, and both times I had to speak to an operative, and main question was "how many computers am I using this OS on" and my answer was "one" which was truthful...I just had fried a bunch of stuff, was all...but yeah, once u get a person, and if you are on the level, they give u a new code, u be fine....

 

T-Y i have been trying to learn and fix older computers,from now on i,ll ask you guys...