VMware Communities: windows XP activation problem

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12 Replies Last post: Nov 22, 2008 6:29 PM by laloula

windows XP activation problem

Jul 5, 2008 12:14 PM

koyedeji 9 posts since
Jul 5, 2008

Hi I recently gave up on using Parallels due to problems with windows activation so I thought I would give vmware a try. Unfortunately I am having similar problems but wondered if there was a solution.

I am running vmware fusion and successfully installed Windows XP professional. It asked for activation which I proceeded to do and activation was successful over the internet. So far so good.

Unfortunately as soon as I tried to login I was asked to activate my windows again. This time - it would not activate automatically so I proceeded to try and activate it by phone but the

installation ID that you need to repeat to the person on the phone is blank - i.e. not there!

I've done a bit of digging around but still can't seem to find a solution. Any help is greatly appreciated

Tags: windows_xp, activation

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Jul 5, 2008 12:16 PM

koyedeji 9 posts since
Jul 5, 2008

I should add this is vmware fusion 1.1.3 running on Leopard

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Jul 6, 2008 1:56 PM

etung 10,543 posts since
Oct 15, 2006 VMware

Sounds strange, but also sounds like a Windows problem. Is this using a Boot Camp partition or a normal virtual machine?

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Jul 7, 2008 5:18 AM

in response to: etung

koyedeji 9 posts since
Jul 5, 2008

This isn't using bootcamp - just a normal virtual machine. I should add I actually had the same problem with parallels.

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Jul 7, 2008 6:43 AM

in response to: koyedeji

etung 10,543 posts since
Oct 15, 2006 VMware

What sort of installation media did you use? Is this a full retail CD, a retail OEM copy, something that came with a computer...?

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Jul 7, 2008 7:06 AM

in response to: etung

koyedeji 9 posts since
Jul 5, 2008

A disk - I believe its an OEM copy - is that a problem?

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Jul 7, 2008 8:09 AM

in response to: koyedeji

etung 10,543 posts since
Oct 15, 2006 VMware

I'm thinking it's a problem with your copy of Windows; some OEM versions that come with computers behave strangely when you try to install them on anything else (and according to the Windows EULA, you probably aren't allowed to do this).

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Oct 24, 2008 7:43 PM

in response to: etung

adamrg7 2 posts since
Oct 24, 2008

Im having the same problem.. what should i do? Was wondering if anyone fixed this problem, please let me know how to fix.... thanks

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Oct 24, 2008 8:35 PM

in response to: adamrg7

WoodyZ 9,220 posts since
Apr 22, 2004

adamrg7 wrote: Im having the same problem.. what should i do? Was wondering if anyone fixed this problem, please let me know how to fix.... thanks

FWIW Saying something to the effect of "Im having the same problem.. what should i do?" is the worst way one can ask a question and really should be avoided for a number of good reasons.

If the version of Windows is an OEM version that came with another computer then the EULA prohibits it being transfered to another system and could be part of the problem however Windows Product Activation is a requirement and part of Microsoft Windows not VMware Fusion so if this is a normal file based Virtual Machine that you're having a problem with Windows Activation then contact Microsoft for a resolution. If it is a Boot Camp partition that is being run as a Virtual Machine then you may have to uninstall/reinstall VMware Tools however this also can also cause additional problems in that one could be locked out of the system until activated and the having to reactivate again after reinstalling VMware Tools.

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Oct 25, 2008 4:43 AM

Uncle Art 71 posts since
Jul 5, 2008

Regarding the Blank Installation ID...

Saw this once, actually twice, on a real, physical PC... both cases were when replacing failed hardware (the C:\ Drive) on Sony VAIO desktops, with OEM installs of XP Home, upgraded "after the fact" to XP Pro... Windows Balked at the hardware change, I got to the phone activation section...and exactly as you described, the Installation ID came up completely blank.

Fortunately after just one attempt, I got a Microsoft Activation Specialist who had this "possible outcome" on one of his "cue cards". The issue was solved by simply.... restarting Windows. I didn't believe it either, so I "kept him busy" while the machine rebooted... and it failed the first time (same blank Install ID)...but I wouldn't let my new friend "Jason" off the phone... rebooted one more time, and GOT AN INSTALLATION ID!

Second time, more of the same. Took three reboots for Windows to hash out an Install ID.

So, this is at least one of the "Officially Supported Fixes" for this issue.

Note, of course, that your OEM License for XP may not permit it to exist on anything other than the box it was originally put on...that's why the OEM paid about $50 for it instead of a full $400 version.But THAT's gonna be between you and Microsoft.

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Oct 26, 2008 7:05 PM

in response to: WoodyZ

adamrg7 2 posts since
Oct 24, 2008

Hey Woodyz, thanks for you advice on how to fix this problem.. However i would like to ask you a couple of questions based on your reply, to start, whats does FWIW stand for? And second, why is my question the worst way to ask a question? and please state all your reasons. Thanks.

As for the activation of windows, and fusion problem.. I am using a bootcamp partition, when I load windows xp from bootcamp(running only xp), my activation of windows works, and windows does not ask me to activate. When i used vmware fusion inside mac osx leopard, it doesnt recogjnize the the windows activation, but im going to try and reinstall vmware tools as you recommended. To provide some more information, im also using a demo of vmware fusion right to try it out, and then im going to buy it for my friend if she likes it.. maybe thats the problem? dont know..

and thanks uncle for your advice, very appreciated..

cheers

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Oct 26, 2008 7:24 PM

in response to: adamrg7

K-MaC 373 posts since
Jun 16, 2008

FWIW= For What it's Worth

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/FWIW

Cheers

Kevin

Reply Re: windows XP activation problem Nov 22, 2008 6:29 PM

in response to: WoodyZ

laloula 2 posts since
Nov 2, 2008

WoodyZ, query on your statement: >> If it is a Boot Camp partition that is being run as a Virtual Machine
then you may have to uninstall/reinstall VMware Tools however this also
can also cause additional problems in that one could be locked out of
the system until activated and the having to reactivate again after
reinstalling VMware Tools.>>

Are you saying that with an uninstall/reinstall of VMware Tools, you might have to reactivate one time again only after the install? I wouldn't mind one more time doing it, It's having to do it over and over that's a problem. If the answer is yes, please confirm. If I am misunderstanding, can you clarify?

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