Giveaway of the Day Forums » Talks

31. copmom
    Member

    I got that magical jelly bean, and the numbers it shows for XP home are not the same as those on my original installation XP CD. Wonder why?

    Posted 3 months ago #

32. goodgotd
    Member

    because it was preinstalled using an oem disc or image that goes on a truckload of machines at a time, then they toss an individual install cd packet in the box with different codes for each, and slap the coa stickers on from that pack.

    base machines the drives are preloaded with a base image, [like the restore disc image, eh?] customized use unattended install discs. with driver packs so they install without intervention. and the key code is already entered.

    labor to actually have a person install the stuff would be prohibitive, and your disc set wouldn't be m$ sealed, either.

    Posted 3 months ago #

33. copmom
    Member

    Interesting.. so in other words, either number set would work, right?

    Posted 3 months ago #

34. Robert
    Member

    Hi again Copmom

    IMHO that should work for installing XP.
    However not always for activating.
    You *might* get something like this "This number is in use by another costumer"

    But then again (pre-loaded)recovery images are pre-activated.
    :)

    Where were you when the light went out in New-York City -lol-just a song they are playing on the radio...

    Posted 3 months ago #

35. absminprof
    Member

    Hi Robert. Continuing with the thread of XP not booting due to mising dll, I have failed to get the reovery consloe working. After I "press any key" to boot from CD, I am given no options to press 'R". The set-up starts checking and loading files and takes me straight to the missing 25 digit code. I must have tried this about 6 times now.

    Posted 3 months ago #

36. Robert
    Member

    Strange...I did do a test run ..well one never knows with oem versions.

    It takes some time before you get the 'R' option.
    My guess is you must interact at the right time or the setup starts.

    Option 2:When you get to the missing code thing, try to exit the setup.There should be an option to do so and just maybe you will get a command prompt d:\.

    Posted 3 months ago #

37. absminprof
    Member

    I think it must be something I am missing. Here is what happens in exact sequence. Switch on computer, the screen with the "intel" processor comes up. Here I press F8 (without any prompt) and I am taken to the blue screen that gives a few boot options and I chose CD, from then on I get to choose nothing. Probably I should be pressing R at sometime during this process (without any prompt from the computer). I understand that the xp cd unloads into my E drive and so when I try this processs a second time in close succession, i go staight to the screen asking for the code.
    There is no option readily noticed on the screen to exit set-up. Is there a shortcut that I can use (like pressing F8 or F4) to go the command prompt at any time. thanks for taking the time.

    Posted 3 months ago #

38. absminprof
    Member

    How about installing another XP on top of this and access the system 32 folder of original XP home ? Can I install another XP without overwriting the files ? May be I can install XP pro.

    Posted 3 months ago #

39. Robert
    Member

    Please don't rush things...
    But you can try booting with another XP version to launch the recovery console and the command prompt.

    Posted 3 months ago #

40. absminprof
    Member

    After extensive internet search, I have come to the conclusion that what I need is a re-install of windows. Since I dont have the code for my existing XP cd, I am going to get a new one. I guesss this is how microsoft keeps getting richer.

    Posted 3 months ago #

41. Robert
    Member

    You should read this article.It has a useful link too (in the middle of the page)..
    2 ways to install the recovery console

    ~Robert~
    PS If the extraction of 'hall.dll' doesn't solve your problem,you may need to repair the boot.ini file this way:
    At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list, and then press ENTER. The entries in your current Boot.ini file appear on the screen.

    But you most probably will have to continue :
    At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild, and then press ENTER
    You will get a screen like this:
    C:\Windows
    Add installation to boot list? Yes /No/All

    In worst cases you may need to enter 'Microsoft Windows XP Professional' or 'Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition' manualy.('enter load identifier') or use /fastdetect when you get the 'Enter OS Load options'message.

    Posted 3 months ago #

42. absminprof
    Member

    I found my code. I installed a friends XP in my machine. I imported the registry form my previous backed-up files, used the key-finder and extracted my missing 25-digit code by using the key-finder. I have now installed my XP CD and activated the product. Now I miss the updates. I visited the microsoft website and I find 90 high priority updates that I have to install. I have the previous C-drive backed up. I just do not know where the updates live. Do i have to re-instll them all over again ?

    Posted 3 months ago #

43. Robert
    Member

    I suggest running live update to install the updates..
    (Or wait 'till SP3 is available,this one should be available pretty soon)

    Posted 3 months ago #

44. Lee
    Moderator

    XP details officially coming soon:

    http://www.neowin.net/news/main/08/04/15/windows-xp-sp3-release-dates

    Posted 3 months ago # | Login to Send PM

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