Computer Stuff Computer StuffI was having the issue with Windows XP Media Center Edition. Installing SP2
over SP3 was not the problem for me, though I thought it was at the beginning. I
had to change out a motherboard, and then had to reinstall windows. I was unable
to enter safe mode or normal mode without the Activation popup, and then after
clicking yes to activate, it would show my wallpaper and do nothing else. Have
been searching for a few days for an answer with no luck. Found alot of
information on wpa.dbl licence and registry fixes and people saying that it was
due to having an OEM copy of XP. None of these were the case for me.
HERE'S THE FIX...
Download Internet Explorer 8 and Hotfix KB946501, burn them to disc
Hotfix KB946501 http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/946501
(only if you didn't use sp3 installation CD)
Internet Explorer 8 http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx
Start your PC and repeatedly hit F8 to get the safe mode menu.
Choose safe mode with command prompt only (if you are unable to enter safe
mode otherwise)
When the command prompt appears type "explorer"
Should load the Windows GUI behind the cmd window
Install the KB946501 hotfix from your disc (may not need if you're not multicore)
Install IE8
Reboot normally in to Windows, you should be able to activate as usual.
Apparently the activation Window is dependant upon IE.
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If this doesn't work: Why not just give yourself 30 more days of Activation
From Safe Mode or Safe Mode Command Prompt
In the command line enter the following command:
rundll32.exe syssetup,SetupOobeBnk
If it doesn't work (although has for me every time) you may need to register two
files first:
regsvr32 regwizc.dll
regsvr32 licdll.dll
Then enter the rundll32.exe syssetup,SetupOobeBnk again
Restart, and you have now 30 days to activate online or over the net or just run
it again in 30 days (120days max)