2 questions regarding formatting

[---MAD---]

Hey ,

Whats the best way to format a windows XP PC?
If I want to completely start over that is.

My friend just formatted by installing windows XP over again but now when he tries to activate it says invalid.. He has checked his key over and over again. The CD was made by a dell program he already had installed on his laptop when he bought it. Also, some of the keys dont function fully any more (ie the sound ones, when he clicks the sound + button, it increases volume but no longer shows the volume meter. Any ideas?

Thanks
MAD

[Joe Gronlund]

Best way to format would be during the install, with the Windows XP CD/DVD..
If its a Dell system, use the Restore partition...

[---MAD---]

Ah, well I told him to do a fresh install, but now when activiating it says the key is invalid?

[MRGTB]

Boot from the XP Disk, Choose the option to delete partitions. then create them again, then reformat and install (it will do that automatcily after the format).

His key is showing as invalid because he has activated XP to many times. He needs to phone MS and get a new product key. I've had the same happen to me quite a few times. When he goes to activate it. It will give him the option to contact MS. And show you a phone number.

[---MAD---]

Boot from the XP Disk, Choose the option to delete partitions. then create them again, then reformat and install (it will do that automatcily after the format).

His key is showing as invalid because he has activated XP to many times. He needs to phone MS and get a new product key. I've had the same happen to me quite a few times. When he goes to activate it. It will give him the option to contact MS. And show you a phone number.

Oh my..he won't be happy to hear that lol. How will MS believe his story if so many people have been through it?

Oh and btw, when I usually try to delete a partition it says it cannot because the temp files are on it :S.

[MRGTB]

MS will ask him for his product key that he has, then ask him does he have it installed on another computer as well "SAY NO", unless you do have it installed on more than one computer (then you've had it). They will issue you with a new key to enter.

This is an automated phone called that gives you all this. The only time you will speak to an MS rep, is if it still says it's invalid and pass the call to a live online rep. But the rep will still give him a new one as long as he doesn't have it installed on two machines (one product key = installed on one machine only).

Depends what PC he has, does he have a custom built PC, or a PC like DELL or Packard. If he has the later. He should use his restore pack that already installs it back with the Windows pre activated

[---MAD---]

Yeah its a dell. I do believe that is what he did because dell dont give you an OS cd with your product, you have to make one manually on the pc/laptop itself using the program they have pre-installed on it.

How does the rep/system know that he hasn't used it on other pcs? Its strange if it was really that easy :s.

[MRGTB]

Tell him to bin it, only kidding (not really).

I don't know, but they asked me that question. Did I already have it installed on another machine.

[Joe Gronlund]

He should be using the Restore partition to restore the XP system. (If he dont have a backup image)
If he is still having volume issues, he should contact Dell not Microsoft..

If he did image it and install it on another system, i don't doubt he is receiving an invalid key error...

[MRGTB]

your only allowed so many times to activate the key though Joe. It's different if he used a restore pack that restores XP back with it already activated.

But if you do a clean install of an unactivated XP. You only get so many times to activate before it refuses it and says invalid key.

The partition he speaks of like you say will be a hidden partition that the restore pack uses to restore the image back. I'll give you a tip. XP has problem removing it. But Vista doesn't. get a Vista disk and boot from that. You will be able to delete all the partitions then, then restart with XP disk in the drive instead. But do not format with Vista, just use it to remove all the partitions only. Then reboot and put XP disk back in to boot from

[Joe Gronlund]

your only allowed so many times to activate the key though Joe. It's different if he used a restore pack that restores XP back with it already activated.

On a retail copy?
I am up too about 125 activations..
Dell Restore is pre-activated....

[MRGTB]

Well I don't know how, unless your using a BETA version or something that MS gave away to you for being a tester. Maybe they work different!

I've used XP Pro and XP Home, Plus Vista.

And they have all done the same after about 3 activations (exact same PC with no hardware changes), they give invalid on about 4th time.

I live in the UK though, so maybe things are different.

Yes, thats what I was saying. Del is pre-activated. So he need never worry about that issue. It's only when you install a clean install that has to be activated each time online (not pre-activated). That sooner or later you will get invalid key once you activate it to many times. You can also get it from what I've heard if you change hardware also. As MS gets hardware details on activation, so if you do clean install with new hardware. It looks like it's being installed on a different PC. But I've only heard that though

[---MAD---]

On a retail copy?
I am up too about 125 activations..
Dell Restore is pre-activated....

Like I said, he simply made the cd from the dell program and then ran a clean installed of windows xp (which is what was on the cd).

[Wayne Luke]

Over the years, I have installed Windows XP Pro on my old computer about 15 times and never had a problem activating. Its always a free install on a clean hard drive though. I have had problems activating on an upgrade install though. Just wipe the hard drive clean and install clean, it works better.

[Joe Gronlund]

Like I said, he simply made the cd from the dell program and then ran a clean installed of windows xp (which is what was on the cd).

Like i said above, he needs to contact Dell..