Well hot DOG...

[Izek]

Check this out...

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4980/xpcannolongeractivaterj9.png

Guess I reformatted a little too much. Yes, I reinputted the product key once more (to make sure I hadn't inputted the wrong one), gave the same message.

Some quotes from other forums that I replied to...
I have a gateway recovery CD as well that installs XP Media Center. Maybe I can use that =/

Oh and, recovery HDs are not my things either, I really don't like chopping up a harddrive.
and...

Oh, that sucks. :( If you call Microsoft, perhaps they will reset it for you? (Not sure how, but I'm sure they have a way.)

I doubt it. They'd rather make me "pay" for additional keys.

This is one of the MAIN reasons why ReactOS (http://www.reactos.org) needs more supporters and developers. I can't do that kind of stuff though; and right now, ROS doesn't even work on REAL hardware.
and lastly...

So how many times have you re-installed?

About 10-15 times, I had to reformat several times on my laptop (now has a broken mobile SATA, which will take 80+ USD to replace) not only because of changing OS, but because XP was going slow.

Yes, a 2 GHz duo processor, 2 GB of RAM, 10 GB of virtual memory, Intel GMA (No VRAM), SigmaTel HD Audio, and other junk, can go really, really slow.

Edit: I tested my Gateway Recovery on my eMachines tower (since my gateway lappy's Mobile SATA HDD is now shot) but it didn't work, surprise, surprise.

[wolfen69]

gotta love it. please dont tell me you're going to buy another license.

[Izek]

gotta love it. please dont tell me you're going to buy another license.

No, I'm going to be a good boy and wait for either ReactOS to be beta, or when Wine can run Flash CS3 (and install it) to do anything major.

Mind you, I also have a Lexmark x4550 wireless printer, which doesn't work in Linux, since there's no driver.

[perlluver]

Well, if you call them and tell them that you have restored your PC 25 times, they will give you another key. Uhh, I feel so sick.

[Izek]

Well, if you call them and tell them that you have restored your PC 25 times, they will give you another key. Uhh, I feel so sick.

It wasn't 25, it was 10-15 =/ But what's the activation site again? I'm not installing Windows to just get that information.

[perlluver]

It wasn't 25, it was 10-15 =/ But what's the activation site again? I'm not installing Windows to just get that information.

Here is One (http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx) I will keep looking for another.

Here is another (https://pa.one.microsoft.com/portal.aspx?req%3D76456083749163522425%26err%3D450 92) I believe this is the one you want, the bottom line on that page.

[Izek]

Here is One (http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx) I will keep looking for another.

Here is another (https://pa.one.microsoft.com/portal.aspx?req%3D76456083749163522425%26err%3D450 92) I believe this is the one you want, the bottom line on that page.

I need the telephone though =/ the last line doesn't help much.

[xArv3nx]

I need the telephone though =/ the last line doesn't help much.
click the "telephone" button at the bottom and call up those indian guys at microsoft.

it works, i've done it many times.

[Izek]

click the "telephone" button at the bottom and call up those indian guys at microsoft.

it works, i've done it many times.

*guess I'll just install XP again to just get those phone numbers.* I'll have to do it tomorrow though, it's late-ish (10:13 PM Central)

[perlluver]

Microsoft Tech Support Phone Number: (800) 936-5700 or (425) 454-2030. Use google it is your friend.

[xArv3nx]

Microsoft Tech Support Phone Number: (800) 936-5700 or (425) 454-2030. Use google it is your friend.
don't.

just go to the activation program, and choose to telephone microsoft to activate. follow the instructions.

[perlluver]

don't.

just go to the activation program, and choose to telephone microsoft to activate. follow the instructions.

I agree with him, that is the easiest way to do it, they will give you the keycode while on the phone, and they will ask for the code it spits out at you.

[xArv3nx]

I agree with him, that is the easiest way to do it, they will give you the keycode while on the phone, and they will ask for the code it spits out at you.
they will ask you these questions (or some of them):

how many computers besides this one is this copy of windows currently installed on?

i always say "only this one"

what product are you trying to activate?

i always say "windows xp"

did you purchase this product separately at a retail store or did it come with your computer?

i always say "retail store"

something along the lines of "is this a reactivation or is this the first time activating this product?"

i always say "reactivation"

may i know the reason for reactivation?

"i had a virus" :)

[Izek]

"i had a virus" :)

You get a thanks, and a lol.

Edit: wait, what about June 30th when WinXP is pulled from retail stores?

[xArv3nx]

You get a thanks, and a lol.

Edit: wait, what about June 30th when WinXP is pulled from retail stores?
well, two things here:

1) didn't they extend this?

and

2) i don't think that means they'll stop supporting it. i think this means they stop selling it at retail stores but continue updating it (until 2014) and offer support and what not.

[MaxIBoy]

They didn't extend it, we've got three days to buy NEW copies.

Support continues until 2014.

[Izek]

"extended" support ends in 2014, NORMAL support ends that same day.

I guess I'll just reinstall the trial every 30 days. Why? Cause it's simpler that way.

[FranMichaels]

"extended" support ends in 2014, NORMAL support ends that same day.

I guess I'll just reinstall the trial every 30 days. Why? Cause it's simpler that way.

Extended means pay support btw. Anyway, just had to comment as I don't think many users would put up that level of frustration. So kudos to you. My advice though, since you seem to have a high tolerance, is go this route.

Run Windows in a virtual machine
http://www.virtualbox.org/
or
http://bellard.org/qemu/

Your machine is more than good for it.

It will let you run whatever app you must have, and to back it up, just back up the hard drive image. One file.

Use Ubuntu and wine for things that don't require 100% compatibility, as the virtual machine has more overhead.

Lastly, reactOS, likely won't be beta anytime soon, but they do work closely with the Wine team. So you should be good.

rant:
Also, 10gb swap is too much honestly. I'd say 4-6gig top. Under Ubuntu I don't think you'd ever reach that (I'm using 92mb out of 2gig for swap.) Windows doesn't know how to manage memory properly (at least when I used it last) and will try to keep RAM free, at the expense of caching to the hard drive swap partition. This is likely a huge bottle neck, as with RAM nano second seek time, hard drivers, blah milliseconds. It is a huge performance hit.

Just save yourself the headache and don't run Windows as the native OS.