Windows reactivation nightmare. Please help

[xXDracoXx]

I just came back from a lan party. On the first boot, it didn't detect my dvd drive, and then, when I rebooted, all was fine except for one thing: Windows XP asked me to reactivate it because too many hardware changes were made on that product key. I enter my key and it says it's invalid because of the hardware changes.

I then go on the official XP support page and try to e-mail Microsoft. Apparently, each key has 2 free tries of each kind of support(Telephone, E-mail, Chat) but it refuses to let me have one(because my key is invalid) and tries charging me $45 to get support!

The only possible hardware change is when it didn't detect the dvd drive that one single time. This is a new computer and I have never changed a thing on it. I don't know what to do, I'm given 3 days to reactivate it and then I wont be able to use the computer anymore.

Please help ;_;

 

[RKS]

Don't call support. Just call the activation number.

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.

 

[xXDracoXx]

They'll give me a new key for free?

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: xXDracoXx
They'll give me a new key for free?

If your current XP is legit and you have the old key you should have no problems. I've called many times. It's a pain to have to activate/re-activate but the process itself only takes a few minutes.


edit: why don't you try it right now???

 

[Captante]

Re-activating by phone is annoying, but pretty easy ... it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[dfuze]

I've had to call the activation number a few times. The others are right, it is only a couple minutes, the hardest part is understanding some peoples thick accents.

 

[xXDracoXx]

Thanks a lot, took about 5 minutes on the phone and all is perfect now^^