unable to re-use my serial key on same machine!

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anjelik - 29 May 2007 00:31 GMT

I need some advice.

I got a genuine copy of xp pro through my school. I installed it fine. I ran
into problems later, and had to format the drive, and wanted to re-install
windows. I couldn't find the CD. I don't have a floppy drive (laptop), so I
don't have access to the re-installation/repair disks (why aren't these
available on CD???). Anyway, I borrowed a friend's copy, and installed. I was
then able to change to serial # of the installation to my proper serial #,
and activate, and this was all fine. Later on, I had problems with windows
again. It started with windows automatically logging out when idle, and then
progressed to receiving the blue screen on death with an error along the
lines of "unable to logon" when the computer booted. I suspected hard drive
issues. I tried to re-install windows with the other cd, but kept receiving
errors about "unable to move some.file", so I was stuck. I booted to linux
live session, and formatted the hard drive. I ran some diagnostics, and all
was fine. I was then able to re-install windows. However, if I now try to
change to my serial, I am told that that # is already in use, or has been
used before. So, what do I do now? Is there anything I can do, besides going
to the amazing hassle of getting a new copy?

Thank you for any help.

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Shenan Stanley - 29 May 2007 02:52 GMT

> I need some advice.
>
> I got a genuine copy of xp pro through my school. I installed it
> fine. I ran into problems later, and had to format the drive, and
> wanted to re-install windows. I couldn't find the CD.

That is likely a select licensed upgrade edition of Windows XP
Professional.

The fact that you 'couldn't find the CD' is a great argument for
making a backup copy of the CD/DVDs and possibly even putting
ISOs of said media on some external device.

> I don't have a floppy drive (laptop), so I don't have access to the
> re-installation/repair disks (why aren't these available on CD???).

That is determined by the OEM from which you purchased the laptop
from. They could choose to give you a recovery partition, recovery
CD, recovery DVD, recovery directory or - if you are lucky or just
wise and force them to sell/give it to you WHEN you purchase the
device - actually installation media.

If you have a problem with the way your original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) chose to provide you with a method of returning
the system to a 'as purchased' state - you should take it up with the
OEM in question.

Also know that you can always purchase an inexpensive USB
floppy diskette drive.

> Anyway, I borrowed a friend's copy, and installed. I was then able
> to change to serial # of the installation to my proper serial #,
> and activate, and this was all fine.

Nice work-around.

> Later on, I had problems with windows again. It started with
> windows automatically logging out when idle, and then
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> re-install windows with the other cd, but kept receiving errors
> about "unable to move some.file", so I was stuck.

Sounds like you might have been correct - hard drive issues
would account for both symptoms. As would...

- Bad memory
- Bad controller
- Bad power

> I booted to linux live session, and formatted the hard drive.
> I ran some diagnostics, and all was fine.

What 'diagnostics' did you run?
Did you happen to perform a full zero-write?
(I have seen that remedy simplistic problems.)

> I was then able to re-install windows. However,
> if I now try to change to my serial, I am told that that # is
> already in use, or has been used before.

Can you be more specific with the message?
(Word-for-word?)

> So, what do I do now? Is there anything I can do,
> besides going to the amazing hassle of getting a new
> copy?

Not sure - at this point I am unsure what error you are
receiving and from where.

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Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

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