Fixed: Help me!

Itchythakiller · 06-03-2009

My other computer will not let me log into windows unless I activate my software. I cannot connect to the internet with it, and I am sure it is not a genuine copy anyway. When I try to boot from CD to reinstall windows with a legit copy, I don't even get a boot from CD prompt! I stumbled into BIOS somehow (no prompt there either) but that doesn't help me at all. Not sure what to do, all I want to do is play Diablo 2 with my wife! HELP!

vger · 06-03-2009

Hello and welcome to the PCHF.

Before we can go any further,please read the PCHF rules at the bottom of my sig....

Itchythakiller · 06-03-2009

ok...I read it.

Amtech · 06-04-2009

Firstly, how long have you had this PC? If you've only had it 30 days then send it back to where you got it from.

Secondly, you may need to enter the BIOS and set the Boot Priority to CD/DVD Drive as 1: and hard drive as 2:

Although you should get the prompt without doing that. If you don't then its likely that you have a dud CD which isn't bootable.

Thirdly, the only free option you have is to download and install Windows 7 from Microsoft. You will need to create a partition on the hard drive and you will need at least 10-20GB of free space. You will also need to reinstall your games etc.

Lastly, you could buy a copy of Windows XP. Home Edition is £80 and Professional Edition is £110. This way you could use the license to activate it. Although its probably better to do a Repair Install or format.

Arctos · 06-04-2009

You do not need the internet to Activate Win XP, you can do it with the supplied phone number that it also gives you.

How to activate Windows XP by phone

To contact a Microsoft customer service representative to activate Windows by phone, follow these steps:
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.

Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to active Windows now.

Click Read the Windows Product Activation Privacy Statement, click Back, and then click Next.

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.

When activation is completed and you receive the following message, click OK. You have successfully activated your copy of Windows.

How to activate Windows XP

They will also tell you if your Win XP is genuine or not...

Tantheon · 06-04-2009

as a last resort i have had to use a program called GCscan it was created by gateway and it will completely erase your hard drive and you can do a fresh install at that point, but only if you do not have anything on there you wish to save. That has always been a last resort for me though and sometimes its nice to start fresh =)

Tantheon · 06-04-2009

i apologize it is GWscan not GCscan

06-03-2009	#1
Itchythakiller Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3 PC Experience: PC Illiterate	Help me! My other computer will not let me log into windows unless I activate my software. I cannot connect to the internet with it, and I am sure it is not a genuine copy anyway. When I try to boot from CD to reinstall windows with a legit copy, I don't even get a boot from CD prompt! I stumbled into BIOS somehow (no prompt there either) but that doesn't help me at all. Not sure what to do, all I want to do is play Diablo 2 with my wife! HELP! Last edited by vger; 06-04-2009 at 06:27 PM.

06-03-2009	#2
vger Mod/Tech Support Staff Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: second star to right,and straight on till morning Posts: 2,066 PC Experience: I will learn this stuff if it kills me	Re: Help me! Hello and welcome to the PCHF. Before we can go any further,please read the PCHF rules at the bottom of my sig.... __________________ Saving a life, one good reason to join the PCHF WCG Team... Voodoostarz / *PCHFRules* /*Prework* "Found an answer elsewhere; we would appreciate your input to help others who may have a similar problem" If you need help;just ask!

06-03-2009	#3
Itchythakiller Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3 PC Experience: PC Illiterate	Re: Help me! ok...I read it.

06-04-2009	#4
Amtech Moderator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Bolton Posts: 1,374 PC Experience: Some Experience	Re: Help me! Firstly, how long have you had this PC? If you've only had it 30 days then send it back to where you got it from. Secondly, you may need to enter the BIOS and set the Boot Priority to CD/DVD Drive as 1: and hard drive as 2: Although you should get the prompt without doing that. If you don't then its likely that you have a dud CD which isn't bootable. Thirdly, the only free option you have is to download and install Windows 7 from Microsoft. You will need to create a partition on the hard drive and you will need at least 10-20GB of free space. You will also need to reinstall your games etc. Lastly, you could buy a copy of Windows XP. Home Edition is £80 and Professional Edition is £110. This way you could use the license to activate it. Although its probably better to do a Repair Install or format. Comments on this post Itchythakiller agrees: THIS HELPED THANK YOU!!! __________________ File Recovery Removing CMOS Battery ASTRA32 (Device Drivers)

06-04-2009	#5
Arctos Tech Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bundaberg, Australia Posts: 3,712 PC Experience: RTM Assoc. Dip.	Re: Help me! You do not need the internet to Activate Win XP, you can do it with the supplied phone number that it also gives you. How to activate Windows XP by phone To contact a Microsoft customer service representative to activate Windows by phone, follow these steps: 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. Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to active Windows now. Click Read the Windows Product Activation Privacy Statement, click Back, and then click Next. 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. When activation is completed and you receive the following message, click OK. You have successfully activated your copy of Windows. How to activate Windows XP They will also tell you if your Win XP is genuine or not... __________________ Bikpela Google bilong mi wantok - Malware Prework Join the PC Help Forum WCG Team and fight cancer with us! PCHF open 24/7 Last edited by Arctos; 06-04-2009 at 12:08 AM. Reason: Typos

06-04-2009	#6
Tantheon Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 7 PC Experience: Some Experience	Re: Help me! as a last resort i have had to use a program called GCscan it was created by gateway and it will completely erase your hard drive and you can do a fresh install at that point, but only if you do not have anything on there you wish to save. That has always been a last resort for me though and sometimes its nice to start fresh =)

06-04-2009	#7
Tantheon Bronze Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 7 PC Experience: Some Experience	Re: Help me! i apologize it is GWscan not GCscan __________________ When all else fails you will find that you have more fun if you ask for forgiveness instead of permission.

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