Activating Windows . . . . .Again?

[TheGreatSatan]

Hoping to experiment with ways to speed up my XP laptop, I went into msconfig and set the computer to run in diagnostic mode.

Just like safe mode the computer only loads the most necessary drivers. I was hoping that I could do a diagnostic mode variant where the computer runs a lot faster.

I rebooted and a bubble by my clock said I had to revalidate Windows! Diagnostic mode didn't allow for my wireless drivers to load so the internet wasn't available.

I went into msconfig and undid all my changes, then rebooted. After rebooting the desktop came back up and said that I still need to validate Windows. I clicked the link to validate and it took me to a page that said I had to pay $149!!

I closed that screen and went to All Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> Activate Windows. This opened another prompt that finally said my copy was validated and the bubbles went away. Now, back to normal.

Anyone ever see that happen??

[nevermind1534]

That happened to my uncle when he reformatted his second hard drive as NTFS.

[crenn]

I've seen it plenty of times. Annoying as hell.

[TheGreatSatan]

I wonder how many people are duped into spending $149 to fix it?

[rithunder916]

Probably a lot!

[BuzzKillington]

I wonder how many people are duped into spending $149 to fix it?

seriously.

[Durrthock]

Its all a conspiracy. You want to do some diagnostics? That'll be $149.99