Hello All,

My Dell 3100c desktop is GIVING me a message "This Copy of Windows Must be activated before you can log on"
1.I have booted to safe mode with cmd and run rundll32.exe syssetup,SetupOobeBnk to try and activate for 30 days.
Nothing worked.
I think now my only option left is to reinstall windows xp but my problem is now i have no disc.

So what do i do now!

Please any help WOULD be life saving.
Thanks.Contact MS...they have an 800# for activation issues...Hello Patio,

Thanks for the reply.

A friend has GIVEN me the disc from his xp version it's pro version also.
Would that be ok to use.
My desktop version is oem.

If i install can i use my own key.
Yes.
The disc does not matter as long as the versions match exactly and you have a legit activation key...
It may still require a phone call to activate though.Hello Patio,

Thanks for the advice.Anytime...
Welcome Aboard...and bring us good news...
We love success STORIES here.giant... 3 things you could run in to:

1 - Since your friend's disk is not an OEM disk, you will likely have to go fishing for various drivers after installing.
2 - If the version (i.e. XP Pro) is not the same as what your desktop shipped with (i.e. XP Home), then your key will not work.
3 - You may still need to "Activate" windows after installation. I don't recall what the circumstances where, but I've had to "activate" a few times after installing - even though I provided a proper key. So that may not solve your problem entirely.

Nonetheless... when you "activate" windows all you do is call MS and give them a code and they give you one back to validate. As I recall it gives you the option to activate even without being logged in... :/ ALTHOUGH TBH it's been a while since I've had an expired windows XP install... so yeah.Thanks to you both for the replies.

I will get back to you with the results.