HELP: Activation

[texasmade]

Ok I have to activate my windows xp or I wont be able to use it until I do.


My question.

If I dont turn off my laptop will I be able to bypass this until I'm able to call the place I bought it from and get a working product key?

[lxskllr]

Where did you get it? There should be a sticker on the bottom with a key on it. If so, activate it online. If that fails call MS and they'll activate it for you. If there's no sticker, you and MS have been scammed, and MS would be interested in knowing about it. If you already knew the circumstances, don't be a rat, and you get what you get ;^)

[texasmade]

it came with a sticker but i had to reformat and instead of re-installing windows 2000 i installed xp..but the product key i have with it says its unauthorized. i really dont want to downgrade though.

should I just say f*ck it and get linux?

[lxskllr]

The key's only good for the version it's for. If it's a 2kpro key, you have to install 2kpro. Linux is a reasonable choice, but it's not for everybody. There'll be a bit of a learning curve, but as long as all your hardware's supported it should be fairly easy. I like Ubuntu, but I'm going to give Debian a try when Ubuntu 10.04 is released. I'll be doing a format anyway, so it'll be a good time to try it.

[texasmade]

i have a windows xp key that came with the xp cd but that didnt work.


ill give linux a try if i cant figure this thing out

[lxskllr]

What kind of CD? OEM, retail, upgrade...

[texasmade]

... Im gonna go with the first one


edit: yea the first one

[lxskllr]

Is it branded, but not your brand? if so, you may have issues activating. If it's generic, a call to MS should get you straightened out. If they ask why your activating, tell them mb replacement, and of course it's only on 1 machine.