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Reinstall Windows XP without product activation

Jan 18th 2004
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You can reinstall Windows XP without bothering with reactivation, if you have activated the product before.

A topic of frequent discussion and concern in many online forums is Microsoft’s Product Activation, which is not limited to Windows XP, it is now required for many Microsoft products (on a personal level, MS Office for instance).

P.S. This will not enable you to install your copy of Windows XP on a different computer and bypass activation.

Isn’t it galling that we need to contact Microsoft for “permission” if we choose to reinstall a product that we already legally own and use, and have “stamped” so before?! This method of copyright protection has not exactly rollicked among customers. Well, no worries, there is a trick for getting around product activation for Windows XP when reinstalling.

If you have successfully activated the OS already, and if you are reinstalling it on the existing hardware, this trick should do just fine. Here it is:

  1. Copy the file c:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl to a floppy.
  2. Reinstall Windows XP.
  3. Boot to a DOS disk if you are using FAT, or to the Recovery Console if using NTFS.
  4. Copy the file from the first step above back to c:\windows\system32.
  5. That’s it - because all of your hardware is the same as before, your copy of WinXP is still valid according to the previous activation.

That’s it. That should do it! For some really cool instructions while reinstall Windows XP, read Mark’s dandy but must-read instructions “Install Windows XP in 5 hours or less.”




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400 Comments

  1. Jan 25th, 2004


    Ajay Pandya

    I have a real badd problem, My Windows Xp system has messed up and im a real Novice. All i want to do is take the system back to how it was when i first installed Windows Xp, How do i sort it out without having to completely reinstall everything??

  2. Jan 25th, 2004


    Shanx

    You could try System Restore.

    START — > HELP AND SUPPORT

    Then, under the “Additional Resources” section, click on system restore and click on restore my system to last best known configuration, or something like that.

    In general, It’s good to backup your OS and data with a tool such as Norton Ghost or Acronis TrueImage. Btw, this question was not necessarily on-topic here!

    Good luck, -Shanx

  3. Jan 26th, 2004


    Gib Allbach

    Im having a problem with my windows XP Home Ed. Microsoft Cust. Serv. is useless - they dont seem to grasp my problem. How unusual. I went to the internet for help and found you. I have a question tho about reinstalling my Windowes XP. I did as suggested, I found the file, c:windows\system32\wpa.dbl and put it on a floppy disk. I was then instructed to reinstall Windows XP. How do I do that?

    Gib Allbach/ Chicago area

  4. Jan 26th, 2004


    Shanx

    Hi Gib,

    Do you have your Windows XP CD? Just install it as you usually would (insert the CD, your computer will do the rest.) Btw, you are supposed to COPY the file, not MOVE it to a floppy.

    Let me know how it goes. -Shanx

  5. Jan 27th, 2004


    Gib Allbach

    Shanx:
    Thanks for the info/ help but I guess Ill have to go to plan “B”. It was late Sunday evening when I came upon your website and thought Id found the “fix” for my Windows XP. I momentarily forgot that I have Windows XP Home Ed. If I understand things, I didnt get a real Windows XP Home Ed. disk supplied with my purchased eMachines computer. The Windows XP Home Ed. came preloaded. I got a two disk jewel case entitled
    “eMachines RESTORE CD/ T4480”. Disk 1 refers me to use disk 2. Disk 2 has some restore items on it so Id better read all of my user’s guides, etc. I hate to think that Id have to purchase a Windows XP Home Ed. disk for $90 and have to reinstall the entire program. If you have any further advise/ comments, please feel free to give them to me. Gib

  6. Feb 6th, 2004


    Shaun

    Gib You Shouldnnt have to buy the disk if your computer came with a restore disk or sumthing similler you should be able to put that into your cd rom drive and it will reinstall windows to how it was when you first got your computer!

  7. Feb 7th, 2004


    Michael Walden

    I need a product key for xp

  8. Feb 8th, 2004


    Shanx

    Hi Michael.

    Yes, you do.

    Although you won’t find it here I’m afraid.

    Cheers, Shanx

  9. Feb 10th, 2004


    Mike E

    I came accross this “product activation” problem or should I say, your solution aparently after the fact!? I have xp home on main computer and recently added it to my laptop.For the past 25 days or so Ive been getting the activation countdown but each time I said”yes” to activate now, I got the message that it is allready activated. Well guess what? yes,today I am apparently locked out and my entire life is in that computer. does the method of bypass work after the fact, and if so or if not, is there any way to retrieve my “life” inside my laptop?

  10. Feb 11th, 2004


    Mike E

    P.S. oh yeah another piece of my puzzle is that my laptop doesn’t have a floppy drive so how would I transfer the win. file?

  11. Feb 14th, 2004


    diego

    how do i reinstall windows xp if i lost the windows xp cd? do im going to have the problem of activation?

  12. Feb 15th, 2004


    Shanx

    Hi Diego, you need the Windows XP CD (or the recovery CD, or any CD that your PC vendor may have given you during the purchase) to reinstall your Windows OS. Hope this helps. -Shanx

  13. Feb 16th, 2004


    Mike E.

    Hello, I dont mean to be a pest but I posted my questions last week and I dont know where else to turn for help.All of my buisness info is in my laptop being held captive by the evil “activation” scheme.I’m sure your busy, but I see that Diego got an answer after my questions posted!? Is there any hope to bypass “activation lock” after the fact? PLEASE HELP.

  14. Feb 16th, 2004


    Shanx

    Hello Mike,

    I didn’t ignore your post intentionally, sorry to have missed it. Your predicament is a little tricky. Microsoft’s EULA does not allow the activation of the same OS on two different machines, yeah I know it is pesky.

    I am sorry if this is not useful, but you could try a few things now to recover your data:

    (1) You can go to to http://www.pricewatch.com and buy an OEM key for XP for around $50.00.

    (2) Or, if your files aren’t too big, you can go to the NTFS Book Disk website and download a boot disk that will give you access to files on an NTFS partition. You can then copy them to a floppy etc. (I am hoping you had an NTFS partition?)

    (3) Use Bart’s PE to create bootable media and get the important bits out of your hard disk. (P.S. I have never tried this, but I guess you can ask Bart for directions if you are stuck.)

    Hope this helps. Let us know how it turns out! -Shanx

  15. Feb 16th, 2004


    rapmaster

    guys, if you have illegally installed the same copy of windows onto your laptop, then that’s why you are being locked out — you should read the license agreement. anyway, you can get a new key. you can call Microsoft and buy a new key and then use that one. the number is in the article.

  16. Feb 17th, 2004


    shakir

    i have a problem with my floppy disk.the error msg appear when i’m trying to open my file in the floppy? “A:\ is not accessible.No ID address mark was found on the floppy disk.” why is that happen?? help me please.A.S.A.P.

  17. Feb 17th, 2004


    Shanx

    Shakir, see if this Microsoft KB article helps you. I guess you are quick formatting the floppy, all you need to do is do a normal format, and try again.

  18. Feb 19th, 2004


    Montecarlo

    XP Pro OEM license only, no CD: $86 USD

    [URL DISABLED BY SHASHANK, ADMINISTRATOR]

  19. Feb 21st, 2004


    Megan

    My brother was messing around on my computer and accidently deleted a Hotfx. I have Windows XP home ed. and now I don’t have any sound. I’m guessing that the hotfx he deleted was my sound device. I tried to use system restore but for some reason it was turned off prior to this, so it won’t restore my system to before he did that. I also do not have my restore CD (it’s somwhere at home, and I’m away at school). Is there ANY way I can restore my sound device? Thank you for your help!

  20. Feb 21st, 2004


    Shanx

    Hi Megan,

    If its a hotfix, you can simply update your Windows again?
    http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

    Alternatively, check up on what your sound card is, and then download the latest “drivers” from your manufacturer. For instance, mine is Creative Labs.

  21. Feb 24th, 2004


    Techno

    I’m sure you heard this one before…So what if there is catastrophic failure, such as a power surge or virus killing your bios and/or internal hardware, or if you just periodically like to update your system with a new proccessor, RAM, video card etc… Do I have to buy a new OS each time? Does Microsoft have place on their site that can provide a solution to this? Any help regarding this question would be greatly appreciated. T.I.A.

  22. Feb 25th, 2004


    stan

    here you go… a ditrect link on the file…
    less than 90k!

    [URL DISABLED BY SHASHANK, ADMINISTRATOR] stan…

  23. Feb 25th, 2004


    gator

    Ok, a copy of windows xp professional was pirated onto my computer. I then accidentally activated it on my computer when it is already activated on another person’s computer. What is going to happen, and how can I fix this? Is the original computer with the xp going to be affected? Is mine? Help…

    Also, I purchased the xp upgrade for my computer to do things “legal”, but it wouldn’t work.

  24. Feb 25th, 2004


    Shashank

    Techno and gator, please take a look at this:
    http://www.licenturion.com/xp/

    Techno, just for the record, I have upgraded my RAM on a Dell laptop without having to re-active Windows. You can try saving all your stuff (with system restore and ideally also with Acronis/Norton-Ghost kind of tools) and upgrading your hardware anyway. I wonder if you’ll have any problems. I have also added/changed all sorts of internal hardware (a DVD R/W drive for instance) and never had any issues. The link above explains what parts of your OS are taken into account when you activate the OS.

    Gator, it’s not a regular event that windows xp professional can be pirated on someone’s machine without their knowledge. But I get your point. For instances like this, you can always contact MS support if you do have at least one “proper” CD. Or, consider stan’s suggestion!

    Stan, that sounds like a great idea, but just as a disclaimer, I (the owner of this site) do not necessarily endorse this product. It sounds like a very cool app though. :yumyum:

    Hope this rant helps someone! -Shanx

  25. Feb 25th, 2004


    Danny K

    i was told my problem is my xp os. the right key pad does not function in the window mode. works ok in dos mode. is there a fix without reinstalling widows xp.

  26. Feb 25th, 2004


    Shashank

    Danny, this is not related to product activation, so it is off-topic. Please write to me personally if you are interested but just FYI, Google is flooded with potentially useful links. If you write to me, please include some more detail about your OS etc. -Shanx

  27. Feb 27th, 2004


    Preston

    Installed a new motherboard and processor into a new case

    don’t have any cd’s to reinstalled windows
    I do have a cd-key on the side of my older case which came with windows xp preloaded, anyway to get the os back without purchasing anything?
    Can I just borrow a cd?

  28. Feb 28th, 2004


    Lowell

    I installed a new hard drive on an xp system
    along with a dvd player. Now when the xp starts
    up the reminder notice appears, stating I should
    activate the system. When I click on the keys in the tast bar to activate, the screen comes up that
    the system is activated, how do I stop the activation notice from popping up?
    thanks for your help
    I called M$ and asked them the same question
    might as well as pissed up a rope

  29. Feb 28th, 2004


    guyz

    useful, http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/13/7/13-7-50.shtml or http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/13/9/13-9-195.shtml

  30. Mar 1st, 2004


    Shashank

    Lowell, as mentioned in the main article, Windows XP activation data is contained in a file called “wpa.dbl” that lives in the Windows\System32 folder. If you rename it to “wpa.old” or something like that, then the next time you boot you really will be forced to reactivate, and hopefully that’ll fix things so that it stops nagging you. Rename it rather than delete it just in case, and you can always go into the Recovery Console and name it back again if unexpected disaster occurs.

  31. Mar 2nd, 2004


    chris Meadows

    my machine running xp keeps rebooting and when it restarts there is a message saying that:

    windows has recovered from a serious error. When I send the message it says that there is a problem with a driver but can’t identify which.

    Any ideas ??????

  32. Mar 3rd, 2004


    Shashank

    Chris, pls let us know what you did recently that may have caused this behavior? Did you install some new hardware? I’ve seen this error even when a hard disk fails. Have you tried going to an old image of the system through System Restore?

  33. Mar 7th, 2004


    novice

    I used my old win-98 boot disk to reformat my drive, rebooted with the xp 6 disks installed xp using final activation code number.

  34. Mar 12th, 2004


    Swede

    I have an old install of XP on my machine. I am currently trying to do a 2nd install on another drive before erasing the old install. Now the problem starts…

    The 2nd installation wont activate because I am over my allowed number of activations. I found this site when looking for ways to get around it. I tried copying the ‘wpa.dbl’ file into my new install. This does not work. I’ve tried to copy all three files named ‘wpa’ but still it doesnt work.

    The only thing that happens after copying the file/files is that when i try to log on it says that Windows has to be activated in order for me to log on. Am I doing something wrong?

    Any help would be of use.

  35. Mar 14th, 2004


    Frank

    Hello, I have an E-Machine, Intel Pent 4 , 1 gig ram, 80 gig hard drive, ata all in wonder 9600 video card, running xp home edition. I made a mistake and took out some shared files, and a bunch of programs stopped working. This is what I would like to know:
    1. Since I have added the ATI All in Wonder card after I bought the pc. do I have to remove it before using the recovery disk that came with the pc?
    2. The pc came with 256 Pc2700 ram, which I replaced with (2) 512 chips of pc2700 ram. Do I have to remove the (2) 512 chips and put the 256 chip back in, or does this make any difference?
    3. I have the pc hooked up on a router, with 2 other pcs. Should I
    disconnect the router before doing the recovery?
    That is all that I upgraded as far as hardware is concerned. The rest is software which I have all the disk for. I have backed up all my files and photos. Thanks in advance for your help. Frank
    PS: I tried to use System Restore, but help and support is one of the programs that I lost. I went to search, files and folders, and found, helpctr.exe, and it brought up help and support, and clicked on system restore, and it tried to restore, but came back and told me it could not restore my settings.

  36. Mar 14th, 2004


    Frank

    Sorry, forgot the most important thing, how do I activate, xp again or will I have too. Thanks

  37. Mar 15th, 2004


    Joshua

    I have a what seems like large problem, my Mom threw away our MS Windows XP Office Product key so now I can’t use Word, Excel, etc. How do I get a new one?

  38. Mar 16th, 2004


    JEFF

    hi! i want to reformat my computer. I have windows xp home ed. installed right now. if i reformat will i have to reactivate? If i call to reactivate after reformat will it allow me to activate?

    plz help….thanks

  39. Mar 17th, 2004


    Shashank

    Frank, I think you won’t have to activate Windows Xp again if you simply upgrade your RAM. I have done it before. Let me know how it goes for you though…there are things one knows for sure, and then there is Microsoft :)
    Joshua, sorry buddy, can’t help you with that one. Try convincing MS with that little fact.

    Jeff, I think that unfortunately with a totl reformat, you’ll have to contact Microsoft’s activation center again because the information held on your PC (the number previously written to your hard drive) will be wiped out. If your hardware is essentially the same though, this will be done by an automated call without your needing to talk to anyone. Let me know how it goes!

  40. Mar 17th, 2004


    Shashank

    Jeff, in addition to the above answer for your question, here’s what I found at Microsoft’s WPA faq website:

    QUESTION:
    If I reformat my hard disk, is reactivation required?

    ANSWER:
    If the hard disk is reformatted and the software is reinstalled, reactivation will be required. The same grace periods for activation apply in this situation. Reactivation on the same PC can be completed as many times as required. The activation can be completed via telephone or Internet.

  41. Mar 18th, 2004


    MIGUEL

    I STOP USING MY COMPUTER FOR SOME TIME
    AND FORGOT MY WINDOWS XP PASSWORD. HOW CAN
    I ACCESS MY COMPUTER.

  42. Mar 18th, 2004


    Shashank

    Hi Miguel, if you have lost your password, there are ways of recovering it without reinstalling XP. HTH, Shanx

  43. Mar 27th, 2004


    Monty

    Anyone have any suggestions for this one?

    Full retail install of XP Professional on a home-brew machine, running great since it was built.

    Changed out the CD-R/W last year because I couldn’t find compatible media locally (anyone know of a CD-R made today using cyanine dye, let me know).

    Swapped out the 80 gig hard drive to a 160 using Partition Magic 8.0 (copying the format ID???) somewhere around mid-January.

    Then strike 3… moved the 1600+ to CPU1 and jammed the 2800+ into CPU0 (running single since I built it).

    The activation message comes up following login (running a domain here at home… yeah, I know, I’m a freak :) and in the tray, but… the Activation Wizard does not come up by answering yes to the login prompt, clicking the tray icon, or even by picking it out of the Start Menu. I’ve extracted replacement files per KB 289657, went even deeper by extracting the JavaScript files found in %Windows%\System32\oobe\, with no success. I’m not looking forward to the end results of the KB 315341 In-Place Upgrade, not with 1 1/2 years worth of tweaks hanging in the balance…

  44. Mar 30th, 2004


    salty

    Found a nice little tool for all legal owners of XP that have to reinstall but no longer have or forgot the cd activation 25 digit key run a search on the net for Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v1.41 download it and run it (gives you windows version and the cd key from your previous install) AND ITS FREE

  45. Mar 31st, 2004


    LA Fred

    For some unknown reason, the “Microdoft DV camera and VCR” controller disappeared from my Windows XPpro. The instructoions with Pinnacle said to reinstall Windows to load it back in.

    When I tried the reinstall, it wouldn’t let me saying something to the effect that I entered an invalid product number. I tried several times. It’s the correct number. Don’t know what is going on.

    Found this site through Google. At what point during the reinstall do you copy C:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl back to the C: drive?

    Can you offer any help? I surely would appreciate it.

  46. Mar 31st, 2004


    Shashank

    Hi LA Fred, as the instructions in this article clearly indicate, you need to backup WPA.DBL before reinstalling.

  47. Apr 1st, 2004


    Marc

    I tried to reinstall XP pro and used an old key. The installation gives an error when “registering installed components; says it cant find a file named msgui2.exe or something like that. So now i hav no operating system :-(( and when i try reinstal again or to instal other versions it still continuous XP instal until i get that error again.
    Please advise!

  48. Apr 6th, 2004


    joebarr

    This is why I highly recommend the switch to Linux. For prices like 90$ you can install on as many machines as you damn well please

  49. Apr 9th, 2004


    dave

    Topic: Reinstall Windows XP without product activation

    When you mentioned doing a reinstall of xp to fix problems with the OS. Are you refering to a soft install without reformating the drive?

  50. Apr 12th, 2004


    James

    U could ring the hot line they give u when u go to telephone activation or sumfin like that and say that ur computer needed formating or that u upgraded or hardware and give micorsoft the very long key and then they will give u another key to activation the bingo iv dun it to like 15 comps and all off the legit cd

  51. Apr 17th, 2004


    spencer

    can you tell me if 2 beeps from my motherboard on start up is normal?
    also once windows has nearly loaded the screen refreshes at least 3 times,just before i can get under way.this has bugged me for a while now

  52. Apr 20th, 2004


    Pete

    i need to reinstall windows xp home but dont have the cd or a boot up disc but can i download xp and use the same product key that is used for my current xp

  53. Apr 21st, 2004


    Shashank

    Hi Pete,

    As far as I know this is not possible. You need a legit CD to install Windows XP. If you do manage to get another Windows XP on another disk or through some other phantom media, then your previous product key that came with your own (hopefully original) Windows CD may not work for the new OS. Shashank

  54. Apr 22nd, 2004


    Leanne

    My boyfriend’s laptop crashed last night (possibly due to a virus), and after trying everything to get it back up including a system restore, has now reached the point where he thinks he might need to reinstall Windows XP. He’s in a panic about losing his data if he does that. How worried should he be about that, and what can he do to recover the lost data? I do apologise if this is off-topic, but I don’t know who to ask! Thanks!

  55. Apr 22nd, 2004


    miriam

    as i am reinstalling win xp i got this message before it finishes: unregmp2.exe- entry point not found
    the procedure entry point getIUMS could not be located in the dynamic link library MSDART.DDL

    what does that mean?
    how do i get rid of it?

    thanks for any help

  56. Apr 23rd, 2004


    jasser

    hey guyz i dont know what kind of problem you are haveing but i am sure that i can help you guyz just explan that problem and i will give you all whati can do.

    thank you ksn@umf

  57. Apr 30th, 2004


    Professor

    I have an educational version od office exp pro. This is an original that was purchased leagally.
    When I register with windows will that prevent me from putting it on my laptop ?

  58. May 4th, 2004


    Varsha

    Hi,

    My laptop with windows XP on it has just crashed! :(( i dot care too much about XP, but i need to retrieve my data. If i use the restore CD that the laptop came with, it threatens to delete the data.. which i dont want to do. I have an external USB CDRW drive. is there any hope for me to get my data???

  59. May 6th, 2004


    Dimitris

    Hello!

    I have Windows XP PRO legally installed on my laptop (bought it withought any OS pre-installed). However this laptop turned out to be a complete disaster and I’m giving it back to the place I bought from, to get a completely different machine. How can I install and re-activate my Windows XP PRO version into a different machine?

  60. May 12th, 2004


    Jo

    Bought a new medion monitor, and the first day had problems with it freezing up, just for a few seconds but was every few minutes. Thought it was my mouse playing up. My husband downloaded new drivers for the monitor to see if that would work but was still on a go slow.
    Put my old monitor back on and now the cd drive won’t work. Tried everything in the troubleshoot, I think. My husband wants to reinstall winxp to see if this will solve the problem. can it be done without losing files

  61. May 12th, 2004


    Shashank

    Hi Jo,

    Yes if you are installing on the same machine, it should generally be fine. I say this based on the belief that only the monitor is new. The technique described in the article above should work (it has worked for me, Windows XP Pro, added a Viewsonic external monitor)

    Don’t quote me on it though, this is just my educated guess based on the facts you have told me. Let me know how it goes! Shanx

  62. May 16th, 2004


    GuestEire

    Hiya, if I reinstall winXP (I am getting SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error) will I lose all the data in my PC? Please help

  63. May 17th, 2004


    Shashank

    Hi GuestEire,

    To answer your direct question, no, usually reinstalling the OS should not delete your data unless you format your hard drives. However, that error is not fun to have, I guess you may have a blue screen with it? Do you get the screen when you boot? I mean, can you use your machine at all?

    FIRST TRY THIS:
    Boot your computer, press F8 right before windows begins to load. Once there, select “last known good configuration” (or something like it). If you get it, do the obvious like scanning for viruses and getting all the microsoft updates.

    IF YOU CAN BOOT INTO WINDOWSXP:
    Then scan your computer for a possible boot disk virus. Any decent anti-virus tool should do. Also, check your memory for bad sectors, there’s a free RAM checker at Memtest86. You may also want to check your disks (in MS DOS, “chkdsk /f”)

    IF YOU CANNOT BOOT INTO WINDOWSXP AT ALL:
    Have you tried the Recovery Console that possibly came with your OS? It’s usually a separate CD.

    Let me know how it goes, Shanx

  64. May 18th, 2004


    Dirk

    Hello,

    I’m having a problem with Windows Media Player. Every time when I open it, it says: The procedure entry point GetIUMS could not be located in the dynamic link library MSDART.DDL. This comes six times, I just click OK for six times, and then I can put my music on, but it’s very annoying. Any suggestions?

  65. May 19th, 2004


    Shashank

    Dirk, what happens if you update Windows Media Player to 9.0 version (from the Windows Update site)? Perhaps the DLL file will replace itself. If you already have ver 9.0 installed, then you may want to:

    1. Either uninstall and then reinstall Windows Media Player.
    2. Or, manually get the DLL file your error complains about and put it in the Windows system folder.

    Let me know how it goes..

  66. May 19th, 2004


    Dirk

    Ok, I went to microsoft updates and I tried to install that new version of Windows Media PLayer. I don’t need help anymore, I had find the problem. I’ve got the new version, after I installed that update. Thanks, Dirk

  67. May 20th, 2004


    Blair

    I have a question if anyone can answer it i would be very gratful. if i reinstall windows xp over a copy that is bad can i keep all the documents that where on it. Please i can’t get in to the windows sfae mode or normal and the last good configuration doesn’t work. can any one help me please i need help.

  68. May 25th, 2004


    Tripp

    Will this work if i reformat the C drive? Also, can you post the MS hotline to call to get another activation key legally, in case it doesnt work. Thanks.

  69. May 25th, 2004


    mangle

    Tripp, this one I can answer:
    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=326246

    Or more specifically:
    International support for product keys

  70. May 25th, 2004


    kaitykaity

    I had the product key problem also. I had a PK, but the computer wouldn’t take it in SAFE mode,
    administrator. I really needed to wipe the hard
    drive b/c my ex wants it back.

    I went to C: in DOS and killed the operating
    system by removing a couple of essential boot files, like boot.ini and a .dll file that
    I don’t remember. [RMDIR /S /Q C:]

    When I restarted the computer, it wanted these
    files, and since I couldn’t get to them, when
    I rebooted again, the computer took the F2,
    F12 “boot from the CD-ROM drive” command.

    It was just like installing the software in
    the factory. And it did not ask me for a product
    key.

    I switched the boot priority back after I was
    done.

    Hope this helps.

  71. May 27th, 2004


    Fahad

    hey. i have a small problem. My windows XP just suddenly decided to not work properly and a lot of errors and random stuff has been coming up. i can’t access most programs or the internet. i can’t log in properly and when i do, there is a chance that it will reset the computer automatically…
    my question is - could you please guide me through a re-install of XP?

  72. May 27th, 2004


    Shashank

    Fahad, that’s unfortunately not the intent of this web page, but hope Mark’s steps help you:

    http://diveintomark.org/archives/2003/08/04/xp Cheers

  73. May 29th, 2004


    Abelardo

    Windows XP home edition: Start Menu: Help and Support is not working. When I try and click on
    enter, nothing happens. The Icon has a ? on it. It used to work at one time. I really don’t want to reinstall my WinXP but it I have to, so be it.
    Hope you can help. Thanks.

  74. May 29th, 2004


    Shashank

    Hi Abelardo,

    Do you have a Windows XP recovery CD that you must have got when you purchased the OS? That would be the best and preferred method to reinstall “Help and Support Center” again on your machine.

    Alternatively (and this advice comes with no guarantees or responsibilities on my part), if you really want to reinstall Help and Support without using the online Microsoft Technical Database (Knowledge Base), then backup all your important data etc, Fdisk your computer and reinstall your system as per your OEM Recovery CD.

    Better still, if you have a genuine qualifying Windows 98/ME/W2K CD, then you can invest in a genuine Windows XP upgrade CD and perform a full ‘clean install’, which is the correct way to install any OS, IMO.

    Just FYI,

    o Fdisk
    o Clean Install

    Let me know how it goes!

    Cheers, Shanx

  75. May 30th, 2004


    GFOS

    Thank you for the previous comments. It helped with my question of reinstalling XP.

    In reading some of the comments, a dumb question came to my mind. A couple of people discussed buying Windows XP keys either from Microsoft or a OEM vendor. Does this mean i could purchase a Windows XP disk (official copy of course), then buy product keys to install on mutliple computers? IE use same disk with appropriate # of keys to LEGALLY install multiple copies of XP?

  76. May 31st, 2004


    Donna

    . Blair said on May 20, 2004 09:08 AM:
    I have a question if anyone can answer it i would be very gratful. if i reinstall windows xp over a copy that is bad can i keep all the documents that where on it. Please i can’t get in to the windows sfae mode or normal and the last good configuration doesn’t work. can any one help me please i need help.
    ____________________________________________
    I believe so Blair. I actually “wanted” to lose all my data, and reformat c:, which the stupid restore disk wouldn’t help with, and when I reinstalled windows, I had a re-installed windows, (supposedly) all else was still there, (ughhh)

  77. May 31st, 2004


    Donna

    I am having problems with formatting a:… I have changed drives, but it does the same thing. I hav cleaned the drive. It will format some disks, but not others. (about 50/50)I had a zip drive connected to the sec. ide with the CDR, and 2 HDD’s on the pri. but only the one floppy on that port. When I disc. the zip drive, it seems to work better, but still has probs. Also, all my floppies I create, a lot of them can not re read on other computers without XP ver windows???? Any thoughts???

  78. Jun 1st, 2004


    Bug911

    I am having a problem with the windows product activation. The WinXP Home is on the computer. I had to do a repair due to problems. I now keep getting an error with the activation. I activate it and use the same cd key. Well, it works.. then when I reboot, I have to do it all over again. Is there a solution to this problem? This might be a factor… I repaired the first time and created a new account and did an activation… then I deleted this account… do not know if that is of any relevance. Will

  79. Jun 2nd, 2004


    Roland

    I am having the same problem as Swede in #28 here. I keep getting this reminder in the task panel on bootup each time for activation Windows XP, but when I right click on it or get out of it, it says your Windows is already activated. I use my Cd that came with this computer and the sasser worm got into it so I reinstalled WinXP Home Edition and got a dual boot, but I corrected that but the reminder activation keeps poppin up on startup..HELP

  80. Jun 12th, 2004


    Chris W.

    Shanx, I am unable to delete, rename, or move any of my AVI files. Each time I try these actions I get an error message saying that “the following action cannot be performed because the file is being used by another person or program,” or something to that effect, this would happen even if I do not have any programs running. I would like to know if reinstalling XP would fix my problem.

  81. Jun 12th, 2004


    Realest

    Will copying over the wpa.dbl file also retain activation info for other MS products? such as Office and Visio?

  82. Jun 13th, 2004


    Davor

    Can u advice me please

    I have XP pro and Easy cd creator 5 Platinum… The problem started when I can not read my cd’s saved before with easy cd. So I reinstalled the easy cd creator but now I have message that cdr4_2k.sys is old?! So I went to Roxio web site to update the cd creator; I done the update but I have a few times a “blue screen” and now I can not even write cd’s regularly, I mean with windows. Please what to do, as most of my data is on the cd’s saved with easy cd creator, but, unfortunately, I didn’t close cd’s with the option that I can read them in other cd’s.

    Is there any other way to read data from the cd’s as my cd/dvd rw drive don’t recognise anything on the cd’s saved as above mentioned

    THANK YOU VERU MUCH!!!! Davor

  83. Jun 20th, 2004


    Omer

    I bought a refurbished hp laptop with win xp preloaded, but did not get any cd with it. Its time for me to reinstall xp, because giving me all kinds of problem. What am i suppose to do without any cd. Please help!

  84. Jun 21st, 2004


    Joe Ognibene

    Hi,

    I’m running XP home edition and want to re-install and re-format because of various annoying problems. I bought this computer (from a reputable dealer) with XP pre-installed, but got neither an installation CD nor a re-boot disc. It has the legit key number securely glued to the case, which I successfully used to activate way back then.

    My question is: having recently borrowed a legit XP home edition installation CD from a friend, can I use it with my valid 25-digit key number?? The two computers were bought around the same time, early 2002. Joe

  85. Jun 28th, 2004


    John B

    Hi, I have a similar question to Joe’s, with an extra wrinkle.

    I have a PC that came with W98 pre-installed. I upgraded it to XP with an upgrade CD. I now want to clean up the system with a clean install of XP.

    I’m told the XP upgrade CD won’t work with a fresh install unless I have a “full edition” qualifying CD of an older OS to prove it’s a legitimate upgrade. I never got a W98 CD with the original machine, so I don’t have a qualifying CD.

    A friend lent me his XP CD, but it’s an OEM CD (“for distribution only with a new computer”).

    Will the OEM CD work with my key? For that matter, if I could find a “full edition” (i.e., not an upgrade or OEM) CD, would that work with my (upgrade) key?

    Thanks for any advice!

  86. Jun 28th, 2004


    Shashank

    Hi John,

    (1) Would an OEM CD from your friend work with your current key: Legitimately, nope.

    (2) If you buy a new, “full edition” of Windows XP , then you won’t need your current key, you’ll be given a new one.

    In general, in these cases, I’d recommend trying to get in touch with your PC vendor and asking them for the best recourse — best to have them deal with Microsoft in your local city. I believe that at least the OS should be seriously clean, and it’s worth spending some extra bucks on to save you hours and hours of anguish later.

  87. Jun 30th, 2004


    Jason

    I recently tried to reinstall Windows XP Professional and to my dismay when there is about 13 minutes left an error message comes up that it cant find the “unregmp2.exe” file and the installation just quits at that point. Now I am stuck without an Operating System and everytime I turn on the computer it tries to go right back to the installation. I have tried the install a couple more times all ending with the same failure. PLEASE HELP!?!? Thank you for any advice!

  88. Jul 11th, 2004


    Phil W

    I bought a new PC from a well known vendor that pre-installed Windows XP Professional on it. I went through the usual WPA and successfully activated the machine.

    About 6 or 7 weeks later I attempted to login and got an error:

    “A problem is preventing windows from accurately checking the license for this computer. Error code: 0x800700c1”.

    I was immediately logged out when I pressed the OK button. This error happens on all accounts and all attempts to login.

    Thankfully I eventually found out how to access the disk via Safe Mode so I’ve managed to back up my data at least! However, I’ve got lots of apps installed that I really don’t want to re-install and re-configure…

    Can anyone tell me a really simple way of making Windows XP think that it hasn’t been Activated yet such that I can re-activate it?

  89. Jul 13th, 2004


    Quazi

    I am having the same problem as Phil having when am starting my machine:”A problem is preventing windows from accurately checking the license for this computer. Error code: 0x800700c1”. I was also able to start it in safe mode. Can anyone tell me how I can get around this problem without
    reinsatlling XP?

  90. Jul 21st, 2004


    KB INC

    ide like to no if having my legal liscence and product key for windows xp home edition does me any good if i have to reinstall the OS on a formated drive but i dont have the original cd ….. i mean can if i have someone elses cd can i still use my product code and liscence?

    Thanks for the time

  91. Jul 25th, 2004


    Mike

    Hi, I downloaded my Windows XP home edition (danish) version on my PC and i did activation on it with success but when i tried to download on my laptop it wont accept to do the activation… do you think if i copy that file c:\windows\system32 from my PC to my Laptop will solv the problem?

  92. Jul 27th, 2004


    Huffy

    I recently bought a Gateway laptop M675 running XP Home Edition. I tried to load SBC/Yahoo DSL software on it and very early in the installation a fatal errror pops up stating that the “WorkFlowHarnessExecutable has encountered a problem and must close.” And boom, out it goes. So. I have taken the following steps:
    1) I got another install disk
    2) I’ve run all the diagnostics that I can find on the computer. (Once the CMOS on the motherboard test failed. But didn’t fail on a later test).
    3) I’ve called both SBC and Gateway and they of course blame each other.
    4) I sent an error report to Microsoft but will get no reply to that.
    5) Oh and by the way, both the original and replacement DSL disks have successfully loaded on 3 other machines running XP.

    This just has to be an OS or hardware problem, right?
    I have my XP disk. Can I successfully re-load it without trashing all of my other software that’s already on the machine?
    I have run the gamut of my knowledge. Do you have any suggestions?
    Thanks in advance

  93. Jul 30th, 2004


    jorock

    how do i fix this:error code 0x800700c1.

  94. Jul 30th, 2004


    Shashank

    Hi jorock,

    You can boot into Safe mode (hit F8 as the system first begins to load and then from the
    boot menu that shows up, choose Safe Mode from the options) and logon as administrator.

    Start — > Run
    regsvr32 regwizc.dll

    Then, Run
    regsvr32 licdll.dll

    If this doesn’t help try these steps:

    Restart the computer in Safe mode by hitting F8 at bootup. Start/run “regedit”. Delete the following keys:

    HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Cryptography\Providers
    HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Cryptography\Providers

    Exit the registry editor, restart normally. Please note that regedit is not for novice users, so please backup accordingly and don’t mess around with it unless you know what you’re up to.

    Good luck, Shashank

  95. Jul 31st, 2004


    Salman

    How to update windows online when it is asking for invalid activation Key. Is there any Solution or trick ?

  96. Aug 14th, 2004


    JimF

    I would like to make a backup disk for my notebook PC, so that if the primary disk fails while I am travelling, I can just swap it out. Will this activation method work for the backup disk (i.e., copy wpa.db1 to the backup)? All of the hardware would be the same, except of course for the disks themselves.

  97. Aug 14th, 2004


    Guy

    Hi, I’m using XP Home on a Medion laptop. In the last few days I’ve been prevented from installing any new programs. As soon as installation begins of a new program I get a box come up that is headed ‘16 Bit Windows Subsystem’ The message reads: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\AUTOEXEC.NT
    The system file is not suitable for running MSDOS and Microsoft Windows applications,. Chose close to terminate application”.

    There are then two boxes to click, either Close or Ignore. Whichever is clicked the result is the sam, the installation terminates. Please can you help? I’ve tried System Restore but the problem remains.

  98. Aug 15th, 2004


    Greg

    I HAVE DELETED SOME/MOST ACTIVE X INFORMATION. IT HAS AFFECTED MY CAMERA CONTROL FILE AND I CANNOT LOCATE THE RIGHT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS. THE ERROR SAYS THAT IT CAN NOT BE REGISTERED. WHAT DO I DO?

  99. Aug 17th, 2004


    Mike N.

    Hi all,

    I had a catastrophic failure of my motherboard and power supply and rather than replace them I ordered a brand new box (barebones) with powersupply motherboard, processor and ram, now I want to stuff my hard drive in and a couple of other things but I’m afraid that windows isn’t going to like such a radical hardware change.

    Any thoughts or suggestions on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

    Mike “Nucklefuts”

  100. Aug 18th, 2004


    SkyShroud

    Greetings, salutations, and all that jazz. Relatively quick question, with many possible solutions, I imagine. I have a client who installed XP Pro upgrade on her pc, obviously a pirated copy…intially, accoriding to her, everything worked well, her old docs/files/proggies were in place from 98se, etc… then, she attempted to run a generic activation crack on the pc, resulting in a system that now continually reboots just prior to login. In looking at the services log, it appears that about 90% of the system services are not loading at startup. I am attempting to resolve this matter with a legit XP cd, however, whether I expand the kernel32.dll file, try to manually search the registry for invalid commands, including auto restart, etc… I still cannot resolve this auto reboot issue. I have installed XP Pro in a 2nd partition, to gain access to the original install directory from the GUI…that boots perfectly well, so, I think I can rule out bad device drivers (Roxio, UDF, etc), but I am now stuck. I have a client’s system with a working copy of XP Pro, yet, no registry entries for existing software installations, or, an upgrade that will not boot properly. System restore is a no go on that partition, and, I am unable to even begin to import the keys from the registry on partition 1, into the working copy on partition 2..especially given that they are most likely whacked anyway, resulting from some lil kiddie’s intentional or inept programming. So…where next? Pls and thanks!

  101. Aug 23rd, 2004


    AJA

    I bought a computer at a yard sale for my son. It has windows xp professional loaded. I went to Wimdows update to get sp1 update but it fails do to “product key invalid, contact retailer…” Is there any way I can get around this?

  102. Aug 24th, 2004


    Rachel

    I did a XP Home Edition re-install and have lost all the files in My Music and My Pictures (yeah, I know, I was GOING to make back ups) My hard drive space is the same as it was before the reinstall, but I have no idea where all the files went. I’ve tried a search, using *.jpg etc but nothing turns up. I know XP hid these someplace during the re-install. Any ideas on where to start looking so I can restore them? Only about 10GB of music. :( Same for pix of the kids, my jeep etc… :(
    Please reply here as well as to my email address: rachelfoxevans@hotmail.com

    Thanks… Rachel

  103. Aug 24th, 2004


    JimD

    My brother-in-law’s computer is down again because it keeps losing its activation code. Twice he has called MS for a new code, gets the system going for a day or so, then loses the code again. He gets a clean report from both Norton and Trend Micro. Is there a way to stop this behavior?

  104. Aug 29th, 2004


    sandy

    I have emachines XP and i have MCafee and it said i had some virues and it renamed 1 and cleaned the other 7 out but , how do i make sure it is all the way out of my pc my pc is rebooting all the time i cant get into any thing ? what can i do ??

  105. Aug 30th, 2004


    jkue

    Try starting in the last known successful boot by pressing F8 when loading, load this and deinstall the crap, honestly. You can go the same route and get into to safety mode and do the same, and if you really need this piece of crap software, install it again.

  106. Sep 3rd, 2004


    Jason

    Hi, Im hoping you might be able to help me. I recently went to a computer show & purchased XP pro very cheaply. I then realized why it was cheap. There wasn’t any OEM or product activating code inside or on the packet. My question is this. Since this seems to be a legal copy of WinXP, is there anyway to extract an oem code/product code of the cdrom itself or do I have to call MS & buy another one.
    Thanks for the feedback

  107. Sep 8th, 2004


    Christian

    Hello…

    I have a huge problem. I’m pretty certain I have a virus or something, but I’m quite a novice. Every time I turn the computer on and check the Task Manager, my CPU usage is 100%. I try to end the tasks, but then yet another task jumps up to 97%. It’s ridiculous. I want to know if there’s any way to fix this without reinstalling, for I’ve lost the instillation disc in the last move. Can I even repair something like this? Please, someone — help me.

    Thank you.

  108. Sep 9th, 2004


    jkue

    Jason: Buy the software, but there’s no need to call M$, find a reseller near you.

    Christian: have you tried a Virus scanner? I detest them, but maybe you should give this a try at first.

  109. Sep 9th, 2004


    Christian

    Jkue,

    Thank you for your suggestion. I have used a virus scanner and it did quarantine and destroy a virus or two, but the problem is still there. I really need to fix this, as the school year has begun. Thank you for your response.

  110. Sep 9th, 2004


    jkue

    Christian, I believe there is another program running in the background. Go to the services applet or task manager and turn of things like Webserver, VScanner etc., turn off all programs running in the tray one by one and check the results. I presume it’s a running service, that is causing this to happen.

  111. Sep 12th, 2004


    Darren

    Hi, I;m Wondering if anyone can help. I need to renstall windows, the only thing is, i have no xp cd or recovery disk or anythung. We bought the computer 2nd hand. Is there any way of reinstalling without the discs?
    Thanks Darren

  112. Sep 12th, 2004


    jkue

    No, you can not reinstall without the discs.

  113. Sep 14th, 2004


    Kyle

    Hey, I was lookin through my add/remove programs and I keep finding alot of windows exp hotfix (and then some numbers). What the heck are they?

  114. Sep 14th, 2004


    jkue

    Kyle,
    these are installed when you do a windows update. They are from M$, to repair holes in the system, atleast we hope so.

  115. Sep 17th, 2004


    rory

    Big Problem. For ages i have been using a PIRATE windows xp onto my laptop, and everything was fine. Anyway, my computer completely crashed once and being a novice i ended up formatting both the hard drives on the laptop erasing everything. I then tried to reinstall this pirate version of windows using bootup diskettes which worked fine, but when logging on i get a message saying “the product key is not valid for this media type. please reinstalll windows. error code: 0x80040509” what do i do?

  116. Sep 19th, 2004


    Shanx

    Rory, sorry I won’t support a pirated version of any software on this site. Thanks.

    Jkue, thanks so much for being so active and useful on the site! I considered a forum software, yes, but am working on a threaded discussion thing here itself. It’s so difficult to get most of the modern bbs software to look simple and usable.

  117. Sep 20th, 2004


    Kendra

    I accedently rebooted my computer with my old rebooting disk from windows 95. i upgraded to xp professional. but wen i rebooted with da disk….it went back to 95….how do i get xp back on my computer. could u please email the results to me..ty

  118. Sep 21st, 2004


    Doogle

    This (misguided)comment is directed to “Shanx”…I must say I loved the piousness of your putdown to Rory, “…sorry, I won’t support a pirated version…blah blah blah…”. However, before you begin your Heavenward ascension, read up on the HISTORY of MICROSOFT. The company was COMPLETELY founded, constructed and continues to operate on the previously COPYRIGHTED efforts of XEROX. 20+ years ago Mr.Bill was allowed at least 3(!) requested invites to begin construction of a suitable software program that would make the XEROX Hardware more flexible AMONG ITS OWN HARDWARE AND ITS OWN DEVICES!!!! A full YEAR later, the rainlocked, shower-less one (thats right, Mr.B)bought out those associates less-committed (?) for mere pennies and proceded to rape XEROX (the only sole, true inventor of the prototypes of today’s “desktop”, the “mouse”, and the set-up of the viewing “screen” (monitor?)). He then took advantage of a relaxing of the “robber-baron” laws that were so instrumental in keeping the Gettys, Rockerfellers, et al from owning the western half (among other things…)of the rail-lines that were helping the USA to begin on solid footing. With “Windows” as the de facto operating system on nearly every P.C. built in the first 20 years of the ‘net revolution… (comparison? Imagine if EVERY combustible engine within ALL automobiles built EVERYWHERE in the world was installed with “FORD” or “CHRYSLER”? stamped on it?…God Bless those early “Scientists” of the Military’s ARPANET…), Mr.Gates has utilized piracy of another’s sweat, toil, and genius while amassing a personal fortune that is stupifying. Perhaps, the use of pirated software is a problem among some less-diverse (& less Government-Blessed!)companies, but I’m afraid I find the crying of “foul” by MSN laughable.(which I felt the “XP”- heavy subject matter most spurred my thoughts toward…)
    Keep the faith…
    Douglas Gautreaux
    Warner Robins, GA (USA)

    p.s. I use Windows, and am an I.T. major and average joe-Not a conspiracy nut, but a little suspicious of the origins of today’s popular “piracy” origins…

  119. Sep 22nd, 2004


    rob

    My computer was virus infested so I reformated (after copying the wpa.dbl file to floppy) and reinstalled my WinXP Pro and tried the activation bypass exactly as instructed.
    1.Copy the file c:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl to a floppy.
    2.Reinstall Windows XP.
    3.Boot to a DOS disk if you are using FAT, or to the Recovery Console if using NTFS.
    4.Copy the file from the first step above back to c:\windows\system32.

    BUT I’m still being prompted to activate! What gives!!!???

  120. Sep 22nd, 2004


    Shanx

    Doogle, thanks for that background but I believe a proper government body may be a better audience for thoughts of that nature.

    If a company like Microsoft has been allowed to function as a business, then I am sure its technologies were licensed in ways that are acceptable by legal standards. Creating is one thing, but if Xerox did not have the good sense to commercialize it, then so be it. Our world is full of such examples (e.g., DVD standards, fashion items, etc).

    There is a good reason why Windows is the de facto standard. Unix was for geeks, Linux now is better but still horrible to install and maintain for regular folks (and it wasn’t around when MS was climbing ranks), and Apple was and is expensive and closed. Things become popular because there is a demand for them, please give consumers some credit for making the choice that suits their need best, not necessarily some supposed “best” choice that you determine.

    MS, for what it is worth, does do a significant amount of innovation. ASP for instance was an innovation of Microsoft when Perl CGI was the norm. Now Sun’s JSP or a bunch of other new languages like PHP and Ruby follow similar concepts. MS also provides a great deal of livelihood for people who code in Visual Studio. Etc etc.

    I’ve indulged your off-topic post but please note that it’s besides the point of this website, and this page in particular. Whom I decide to help and whom I don’t is my prerogative, and my reasons for not helping people with pirated versions is very fair and reasonable. Pirating software does harm someone’s livelihood somewhere, so I don’t believe in it. What