Hard disk crashed - where is my 50-digital WinXP installation id?

[Erica Eshoo]

I don't mind calling Microsoft at 1-888-571-2048, but, where do I get my
WIndows XP 50-digit installation ID?

After my kid's hard disk crashed I put a spare disk, which was long lying
around, in the computer. Up popped "Activate Windows" which hangs forever
with the laptop on my desk not hooked to anything but power.

Googling, I find this is the Windows XP activation process:
- Start with a unique 25-character product key on the CDROM case
- This creates a 20-digit product id
- A hardware hash is created from 10 hardware items
- The hardware hash + product key combine to a 50-digit installation ID
- You give that 50-digit installation ID to Microsoft (1-888-571-2048)
- Start -> Run -> oobe/msoobe /a
- This modifies the two files wpa.dbl & wpa.bak (save them for future use)
- C:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl & c:\windows\system32\wpa.bak
- In the future, press F8 to boot to safe mode = minimal
- And just copy those files back onto the newly formatted hard disk

When I run "Start -> Run -> oobe/msoobe /a" on my second laptop, it says:
"Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit"

However, my kid's laptop with the spare hard drive in it, won't boot.
It's stuck at the "Activate Windows" screen with nothing to press or hit
except the red x to close the window.

I don't mind calling Microsoft at 1-888-571-2048, but, where do I get my
Windows XP 50-digit installation ID?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

"Erica Eshoo" <evesunflor@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:yPfXi.471$852.417@newssvr17.news.prodigy.net...
>I don't mind calling Microsoft at 1-888-571-2048, but, where do I get my
> WIndows XP 50-digit installation ID?
>
> After my kid's hard disk crashed I put a spare disk, which was long lying
> around, in the computer. Up popped "Activate Windows" which hangs forever
> with the laptop on my desk not hooked to anything but power.
>
> Googling, I find this is the Windows XP activation process:
> - Start with a unique 25-character product key on the CDROM case
> - This creates a 20-digit product id
> - A hardware hash is created from 10 hardware items
> - The hardware hash + product key combine to a 50-digit installation ID
> - You give that 50-digit installation ID to Microsoft (1-888-571-2048)
> - Start -> Run -> oobe/msoobe /a
> - This modifies the two files wpa.dbl & wpa.bak (save them for future use)
> - C:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl & c:\windows\system32\wpa.bak
> - In the future, press F8 to boot to safe mode = minimal
> - And just copy those files back onto the newly formatted hard disk
>
> When I run "Start -> Run -> oobe/msoobe /a" on my second laptop, it says:
> "Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit"
>
> However, my kid's laptop with the spare hard drive in it, won't boot.
> It's stuck at the "Activate Windows" screen with nothing to press or hit
> except the red x to close the window.
>
> I don't mind calling Microsoft at 1-888-571-2048, but, where do I get my
> Windows XP 50-digit installation ID?

You only need your 25-character product key. It is either stuck
on the back of your WinXP, just above the reminder "Don't Lose
This Product Key", or else you can find it on the label stuck to
your PC/laptop.

If your installation is stuck at the "Activate Windows" screen then
you should ring Microsoft and quote your product key.

By the way, how does your question relate to "Hardware" or to
"Storage"? Would it not be a question for a "Windows XP"
forum?

 

[Erica Eshoo]

On Sun, 04 Nov 2007 06:11:08 -0500, Lee wrote:
>> I thought you just needed 25 character string, on the CD or the
>> holigraphic label on the laptop/PC case.
>> It is normally asked for whem one does a complete initial install, or
>> first start of Laptop
> It also asks if you change motherboard, hard drive or network card.

My kid's laptop didn't come with a CD for Windows.
It just came with Windows XP on it.Then the hard disk drive crashed.

When I put a spare hard drive I had lying around in, up came this message
about Windows Activation being needed before I could log in. OK. Fine.

But, the Windows Activation window just came up blue and blank with no
buttons, no action, no words, no nuthin'. I waited an hour and still
nothing. I plugged into a live ethernet, and did a hardware reboot, and
still nothing when it came up the same way.

What's wrong with Windows Activation?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

"Erica Eshoo" <evesunflor@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:l%nXi.52883$RX.44037@newssvr11.news.prodigy.net...
> On Sun, 04 Nov 2007 06:11:08 -0500, Lee wrote:
>>> I thought you just needed 25 character string, on the CD or the
>>> holigraphic label on the laptop/PC case.
>>> It is normally asked for whem one does a complete initial install, or
>>> first start of Laptop
>> It also asks if you change motherboard, hard drive or network card.
>
> My kid's laptop didn't come with a CD for Windows.
> It just came with Windows XP on it.Then the hard disk drive crashed.
>
> When I put a spare hard drive I had lying around in, up came this message
> about Windows Activation being needed before I could log in. OK. Fine.
>
> But, the Windows Activation window just came up blue and blank with no
> buttons, no action, no words, no nuthin'. I waited an hour and still
> nothing. I plugged into a live ethernet, and did a hardware reboot, and
> still nothing when it came up the same way.
>
> What's wrong with Windows Activation?

AFAIK, suppliers of machines that are delivered without a
Windows installation CD are required to provide two items:
a) A sticker stuck to the machine, showing a valid Windows
product key (which kids can peel off, of course ...)
b) A means to restore the machine to factory condition.

You need to read the manual that came with your machine
in order to find out about the factory restore process.

Read my first post again about your problem with the Windows
Activation panel.