Windows XP Product Key used to many times?? 2

[diezy]

i've tried loading 2 different copies of windows xp pro on 2 different computers with the same XP cd key. Both work...and run fine until i download all the updates. after downloading and install all or most of the updates...at some random point in time the computer will just shut off and then after will just keep on restarting right before windows starts to load. The xp logo screen will load...but shortly after that the computer(s) just restart before windows loads.

so i've tried reinstalling and doing system repairs...and still get the same problem where it just keeps on restarting. (i can't even get into windows)


Now could it possible be that i have used the cd key to many times and now it is invalid?? or the fact that the cd key is not legally own by me?

cause i've tried installing windows 2000 on another computer and once i have finished installing and downloaded all the updates...i got the same problem, it shutsdown at a random point in time and then just restarts just after the windows 2000 loading screen.

both of these keys are from the same place. but have probably been used a number of times on different computers

could the cd/product key be the problem here?

 

[linney]

To see any error message turn off Automatically Restarts.

The option is available on the Safe Mode screen (if you loaded SP2) with several other options like "last known good configuration" or even plain old Safe Mode.

If you do get into the XP - Look in the System or Application folder in the Event Viewer. You can get to the Event Viewer via right click My Computer icon and select Manage.

Any errors logged in the Event Viewer can be expanded by double clicking on the error line.

Take any event error I.D. number and search for it on these sites.

http://www.eventid.net/events.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/support/ee/search.aspx

Also check any "Information" line that mentions "savedump" and you should find reference to "recovered from a bug check". This is the Stop Error that caused your problem.

You can also turn off "automatically restart after an error" so it will just halt at the fault and display the full Stop Error and blue screen.

Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties .
On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery .
Click to clear the Automatically restart check box under System failure , and then click OK . The error message on a blue screen should remain on the screen so you can record the error information.

http://www.winxptutor.com/eventlog.htm

Trouble with CD Keys (and it sounds like there will be plenty) shouldn't occur until you try to Activate XP, and you should clearly be informed of the problem by a Desktop Notification error message.

Try re-installing with a genuine legal version of XP and load your updates one at a time, checking after each for proper functioning. Conversely you can remove what you have already installed (via Safe Mode and Add or Remove Program?), one at a time, the latest update first.

 

[rvnguy]

diezy,

Follow linney's excellent posts.

i've tried loading 2 different copies of windows xp pro on 2 different computers with the same XP cd key.

Then when you install XP again, use the correct Key for the CD. If you own multiple, legal, copies, by all means use the key that goes with the copy you are installing.

If you do not own mulitple, legal copies, and are attempting to install a single copy on more than one CPU you are in the wrong place to find a crack method to get around your problems.


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[diezy]

rvnguy

my product keys are legal. they are not cracked, or leaked cd keys of the internet.

i thought since maybe i have used my keys to many times on different computers of mine windows reconized that i have used it to many times on different computers.

diez

 

[rvnguy]

diezy,

Have you followed the suggestions from linney?

With what results?

The CD and install is not aware of the number of times that it has been installed or to where. This is a CD ROM (Read Only Media) and therefore cannot record the # of installs.

If you are referring to "activation" then yes, MS does track the # of activations for a product key, but you would be notified of the failed activation when you tried to initiate the activation.

Again, why are you attempting to use the same Key for different installs?


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[captaincrunch00]

It may be a volume license key... If he has a key for say 2000 licenses instead of buying individual copies for every PC and having it be a pain to track then that may explain it.
Microsoft can just turn off the activation for that key if they think it has been comprimized.

 

[MasterRacker]

I had exactly the same problems the first time I tried XP on my home machine. All name brand parts that should have been compatible. I upgraded the BIOS, firmware on the modem, SCSI adapter, etc. Still no luck. Initial install would always work, but at various levels up updtes it would die. Restore points would not work, etc. The XP was a valid, MSDN CD and I was always starting from clean installs.

I shelved the project for a few months after blowing a whole weekend. Recently I tried it again on the same system using a new XP CD with SP2 slipstreamed. I figured the newest release would have any hardware fixes in from the beginning and be more stable on an install. (I did also remove the modem.) The install went cleanly, upgraded cleanly and appears to be stable.

Are these older CDs? Lockups like this are usually hardware related. Remove any old hardware you don't absolutely need. Upgrade firmware on anything else you can (MOBO, adapters, video, etc.) If you can find a newer CD, especially with SP2 slipstreamed try that.

<sub>Jeff
[purple]It's never too early to begin preparing for [/purple]International Talk Like a Pirate Day

"The software I buy sucks, The software I write sucks. It's time to give up and have a beer..." - Me</sub>

 

[temporello]

If your PC reboots at random it surely has nothing to do with your license key...
Check your memory first!

 

[diezy]

thanks MasterRacker,
you were right, it was the hardware. i updated the bios on the motherboard and it works now.

and thanks temporello. knowing that it was not my cd key is what i really needed to know. cause then it is either a hardware or a software issue.


thanks

 

[cdogg]

diezy,

You originally said: "[blue]...the fact that the cd key is not legally own by me?[/blue]"

Then after rvnguy addressed this you said: "[red]my product keys are legal[/red]"

Well, what is it exactly? Legal, but not owned by you?


Also as temporello has pointed out, it doesn't appear that your problem is related to the key. However, you also mentioned that this has happened on at least two PC's. Coincidence maybe? Not sure, but I would troubleshoot this as a Windows problem, formatting the hard drive and starting all over again. Then I would move on to troubleshoot it as a hardware issue.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[cdogg]

Just saw your last post....

Good for you!

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[diezy]

haha sorry cdogg, a typo on my part
i meant to say they ARE legally owned my me.

diez