AirWolf
22-03-2007, 08:46 PM
Hi all:)
This is just some info for others who might one day find themselves in the same position as myself.
I installed a copied Xp cd on my new machine and two days before expiry I purchased a new key online from Microsoft. With this new key and a little software application you are able to convert a non-original version into an original version.
Before the new key arrived by e-mail, I was locked out of the system and could only get in in safemode. But you require internet access to complete the activation and you can't get in with safe mode with networking because it immediately asks you to reboot to activate windows.
With some free time on my hands, I then installed Ubuntu Linux on the machine as well. The next day I checked my e-mails via my cellphone and the key had arrive but I needed to download a key-update tool to complete the activation.
At that stage I didn't know how to get into a windows system after expiry and tried fiddling around in safe mode. Since I couldn't log into safe mode with networking from the F8 menu I used msconfig in normal safe mode to specify the boot as safe boot with networking - BIG mistake:o Now with whatever option you chose on the F8 menu it was trying to log into safemode with networking which in turn asked you to reboot in normal mode to activate windows. So now I was totally locked out of my windows system.
I went Linux on reboot and managed to get an internet connection going thanks to a printout of instructions Tazz had given me earlier when i needed some help with my V1050 (thanks Tazz :D ) And thank God I still had Tazz's wvdial.conf file on one of my USB memory sticks:) At that stage I couldn't get my e220 to work, but I've using it now after following Tazz's instructions in his help file (Thanks again Tazz :D ).
I searched in google for logging into an expired XP system and came up with this. (http://tomorrowtimes.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-to-login-to-expired-windows.html) The only problem was that now I was unable to get to my normal windows logon screen which was required to get in with the above tip.
With Linux I was able to view my boot.ini file but was unable to edit it. Google came to my rescue with this: The first free NTFS read/write filesystem for GNU/Linux. (http://www.jankratochvil.net/project/captive/) I downloaded it with my V1050 on 3G in about 10 minutes and was able to mount my windows drive and edit the boot.ini file :)
I then was able to get to my normal windows logon screen and use the tip about narrator to get in connect to the internet and activate windows.
I certainly have new found respect for my Linux OS.
This is just some info for others who might one day find themselves in the same position as myself.
I installed a copied Xp cd on my new machine and two days before expiry I purchased a new key online from Microsoft. With this new key and a little software application you are able to convert a non-original version into an original version.
Before the new key arrived by e-mail, I was locked out of the system and could only get in in safemode. But you require internet access to complete the activation and you can't get in with safe mode with networking because it immediately asks you to reboot to activate windows.
With some free time on my hands, I then installed Ubuntu Linux on the machine as well. The next day I checked my e-mails via my cellphone and the key had arrive but I needed to download a key-update tool to complete the activation.
At that stage I didn't know how to get into a windows system after expiry and tried fiddling around in safe mode. Since I couldn't log into safe mode with networking from the F8 menu I used msconfig in normal safe mode to specify the boot as safe boot with networking - BIG mistake:o Now with whatever option you chose on the F8 menu it was trying to log into safemode with networking which in turn asked you to reboot in normal mode to activate windows. So now I was totally locked out of my windows system.
I went Linux on reboot and managed to get an internet connection going thanks to a printout of instructions Tazz had given me earlier when i needed some help with my V1050 (thanks Tazz :D ) And thank God I still had Tazz's wvdial.conf file on one of my USB memory sticks:) At that stage I couldn't get my e220 to work, but I've using it now after following Tazz's instructions in his help file (Thanks again Tazz :D ).
I searched in google for logging into an expired XP system and came up with this. (http://tomorrowtimes.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-to-login-to-expired-windows.html) The only problem was that now I was unable to get to my normal windows logon screen which was required to get in with the above tip.
With Linux I was able to view my boot.ini file but was unable to edit it. Google came to my rescue with this: The first free NTFS read/write filesystem for GNU/Linux. (http://www.jankratochvil.net/project/captive/) I downloaded it with my V1050 on 3G in about 10 minutes and was able to mount my windows drive and edit the boot.ini file :)
I then was able to get to my normal windows logon screen and use the tip about narrator to get in connect to the internet and activate windows.
I certainly have new found respect for my Linux OS.