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Drive Transplant trouble
Nocren
Lt Futz, Back in ActionNorth CarolinaRegistered User regular
Lt Futz, Back in ActionNorth CarolinaRegistered User regular
Ok, so thanks to Black Friday I got me a new MB, Case, CPU, GPU and RAM. In an attempt to salvage my old box, I transplanted the optical and disk drives. Now, everything's connected and I start up my new machine and get a message saying that Windows must be activated. However due to some weird technical difficulties, I cannot activate Windows (I've had problems with IE and Windows help in the past, namely they don't want to work/open).
Now, will reinstaalling the C: drive into my old box and doing a recovery help fix this problem or am I boned?
Now, will reinstaalling the C: drive into my old box and doing a recovery help fix this problem or am I boned?
Nocren on
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COAs. (License Keys) are not transferable.
for now.
The phone call is annoying, but they've never given me a hassle when I upgraded my hardware.
I know I have to do it, but I just ain't got the time right now. Maybe next week, because I really don't want to spend $200 right now.
Second: After the clean install you'll have thirty days to activate. Go ahead and finish the install and make sure everything goes smoothly before activating (I always activate last because you never know when you might have to start over during the install phase of a new machine.) If the online activation doesn't go through (I'm assuming you have a legit copy of Windows here), go ahead and select the "Activate by phone" option. After inputting your activation code you may or may not be forced to talk to a representative. If you don't have to then it will ask you a couple of questions where you talk to a computer. Tell them that you are not using this copy on another machine and that you did not make any major hardware changes (Yeah I know it's not entirely true but I believe that you should be able to use your copy on a single computer at a time, not install it once and them repurchase every single time you have to upgrade.) If you have to talk to a representative then you'll basically be asked the same questions. Why are you reinstalling? Had to format the hard drive...viruses. How many computers are you using it on? Just the one.
There ya go, now they should give you an activation code.
And I'm of the same mind that since I already purchased something once, I shouldn't need to repurchase it again just because of a few new pieces of hardware.
Oh and about rebuying Windows technically since what you have is a OEM copy you technically do need to rebuy it but Microsoft usually will just say screw and activate it anyways.
Ahh, unfortunately those will be System Restore disks and not a Windows reinstall disk. They will reinstall everything with the original Compaq hardware drivers. There's a 99% chance it won't boot for you when you're done. Looks like you're going to have to bite the bullet and get a copy of XP. You won't be able to get it in a retail store. Check a locally owned shop in your area for an OEM version or order it online. Sorry.
thanks for your help, tech forum.