XP Home Product Activation

[tmccann11]

I'm stuck in a catch 22 here. I have a Gateway computer that came with an OEM copy of XP Home. I wasn't receiving any product activation messages, which is normal when I reinstall on my Gateway. Now when I try to login with a limited account that I created for my family, I get the message that the copy of Windows needs to be activated, please contact your system administrator. Now this is fine, since it is a legit copy of windows xp. So I try to log in under my administrator account

The system doesn't allow me to login, it says due to account restrictions and logs me off. I have always been able to login as administrator to make any changes or install software. Now how the hell am I supposed to activate the copy if I can't log in as an administrator to perform the activation?? Also, I tried to log in in safe mode, but it won't allow me to, because it says that activation cannot be run in safe mode. Any ideas??

TIA,
Tom

 

[AtTheGates]

It should give you a phone number to call. I had to do that once and it only took a few minutes.

 

[tmccann11]

I called, (i couldn't log in to get to the screen) I have to reformat 🙁

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: tmccann11
I called, (i couldn't log in to get to the screen) I have to reformat 🙁

This sounds like a virus/trojan or file system corruption. You shouldn't have magically started to require activation (and if you somehow did, that won't lock you out of the account, you should get the activation wizard prior to login). Something bad happened to the system...

Bill

 

[tmccann11]

Oh well, reinstallation here we come.

Thanks for the help.

Tom