The Gaming Den

So, I went away for maybe 12 hours. The computer was working fine. I turned it off as there was no reason to leave it on. I came back, turned it on and was told that since the last activation of windows, the system hardware had drastically changed.

I haven't changed a thing of the system hardware since I installed XP a couple years ago. The most recent changes have been the death of my old external hard drive, getting a newer external hard drive, and adding a shitty old logitech webcam to the comp.

So, does anyone have a good idea? The OS originally came from my wife's university as a free download for CS majors. So, I don't really have the activation code anymore. Also since she is alumni, we don't have access to the download anymore.

I'll just install ubuntu if windows decides to not let me do anything past the three days of activation time. But, windows is nice for netflix.

If Windows XP starts booting you because you aren't activated, you can actually just ctrl+alt+delete, and from there load windows explorer and find your web browser. It's really quite a funny hole.

hmm, would i still be able to load other programs this way? Say, games such as Mass effect.

Yes. But unless you are in violation of the license, why don't you call Microsoft? They have an activation line for things like this.

Surgo wrote:Yes. But unless you are in violation of the license, why don't you call Microsoft? They have an activation line for things like this.

This. They'll almost certainly help you.

Otherwise, I might have an old WinXP serial sitting around from before I upgraded to a 'free to CS students' copy of Win7...

hmm... n/m. I tried the activation. it just went through without a hitch. didn't ask me for the serial or anything. I was able to locate my serial though. Hooray for de-encryption tools.

Where would I find such tools? I lost the slip with my XP key, so if this installation goes bad, I'm screwed.

Meikle: check your pms.