Windows XP activation code

[Guest Paul Curtis]

Hi

I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a bios

problem

So I installed a new bios.

 

Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer exist)

tells me I need to activate window.

 

How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web, but

states there was a problem with the number.

It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

 

I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

Paul

[Guest Richard in AZ]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

 

"Paul Curtis" <Paul Curtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:68E58E01-17FB-4DC6-825F-F42FBA263E26@microsoft.com...

| Hi

| I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

| starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a bios

| problem

| So I installed a new bios.

|

| Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer exist)

| tells me I need to activate window.

|

| How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web, but

| states there was a problem with the number.

| It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

|

| I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

| Paul

 

You bought a computer where the Operating System was tied to the BIOS.

When you tried to activate it, and could not, you should have been offered a toll free phone number

to call.

Over the phone you can talk to a person to explain the problem and be given a new activation code.

[Guest JS]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

You most likely have an OEM version of XP that is tied/locked to the BIOS.

Once you updated your BIOS Windows most likely thinks it's not the same PC,

which caused the activation issue. You may and I say may be able to activate

over the phone.

Also look for a keycode sticker located somewhere on the PC's case and also

get the OEM keycode currently being used by Windows XP. These two keycodes

most likely will not be the same, have both codes in front of you when you

make the phone call.

 

To retrieve the keycode from windows use on of the utilities list below:

Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

(It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

Also:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

 

How to activate Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

 

See the section titled: "How to activate Windows XP by phone".

 

JS

 

"Paul Curtis" <Paul Curtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:68E58E01-17FB-4DC6-825F-F42FBA263E26@microsoft.com...

> Hi

> I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

> starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a bios

> problem

> So I installed a new bios.

>

> Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer exist)

> tells me I need to activate window.

>

> How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web, but

> states there was a problem with the number.

> It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

>

> I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

> Paul

[Guest Paul Curtis]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

Hi,

 

Ive tried to activate it via the phone, but its an automated number and it

tells me my number is invalid and I should contact the supplier.

 

That would be good if Time Computing still existed.

 

I am going to try and download/find the original BIOS. Maybe that will solve

it.

 

Unless anyone has any other suggestions

 

Paul

 

"JS" wrote:

> You most likely have an OEM version of XP that is tied/locked to the BIOS.

> Once you updated your BIOS Windows most likely thinks it's not the same PC,

> which caused the activation issue. You may and I say may be able to activate

> over the phone.

> Also look for a keycode sticker located somewhere on the PC's case and also

> get the OEM keycode currently being used by Windows XP. These two keycodes

> most likely will not be the same, have both codes in front of you when you

> make the phone call.

>

> To retrieve the keycode from windows use on of the utilities list below:

> Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

> (It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

> Also:

> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

>

> How to activate Windows XP

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

>

> See the section titled: "How to activate Windows XP by phone".

>

> JS

>

> "Paul Curtis" <Paul Curtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:68E58E01-17FB-4DC6-825F-F42FBA263E26@microsoft.com...

> > Hi

> > I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

> > starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a bios

> > problem

> > So I installed a new bios.

> >

> > Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer exist)

> > tells me I need to activate window.

> >

> > How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web, but

> > states there was a problem with the number.

> > It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

> >

> > I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

> > Paul

>

>

>

[Guest Pablo]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

The original bios might not work unless you get it from your PC vendor.

Vendors sometimes brand the bios. That is how the Windows installation

recognizes your PC.

 

"Paul Curtis" <PaulCurtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:E72BF6E6-20F1-4C9E-9297-882826250BE4@microsoft.com...

> Hi,

>

> Ive tried to activate it via the phone, but its an automated number and it

> tells me my number is invalid and I should contact the supplier.

>

> That would be good if Time Computing still existed.

>

> I am going to try and download/find the original BIOS. Maybe that will

> solve

> it.

>

> Unless anyone has any other suggestions

>

> Paul

>

> "JS" wrote:

>

>> You most likely have an OEM version of XP that is tied/locked to the

>> BIOS.

>> Once you updated your BIOS Windows most likely thinks it's not the same

>> PC,

>> which caused the activation issue. You may and I say may be able to

>> activate

>> over the phone.

>> Also look for a keycode sticker located somewhere on the PC's case and

>> also

>> get the OEM keycode currently being used by Windows XP. These two

>> keycodes

>> most likely will not be the same, have both codes in front of you when

>> you

>> make the phone call.

>>

>> To retrieve the keycode from windows use on of the utilities list below:

>> Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

>> (It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

>> Also:

>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

>>

>> How to activate Windows XP

>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

>>

>> See the section titled: "How to activate Windows XP by phone".

>>

>> JS

>>

>> "Paul Curtis" <Paul Curtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:68E58E01-17FB-4DC6-825F-F42FBA263E26@microsoft.com...

>> > Hi

>> > I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

>> > starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a bios

>> > problem

>> > So I installed a new bios.

>> >

>> > Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer exist)

>> > tells me I need to activate window.

>> >

>> > How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web,

>> > but

>> > states there was a problem with the number.

>> > It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

>> >

>> > I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

>> > Paul

>>

>>

>>

[Guest PD43]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

Paul Curtis <PaulCurtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Hi,

>

>Ive tried to activate it via the phone, but its an automated number and it

>tells me my number is invalid and I should contact the supplier.

>

>That would be good if Time Computing still existed.

>

>I am going to try and download/find the original BIOS. Maybe that will solve

>it.

 

You don't download a BIOS. When someone says your copy is tied to the

BIOS they mean that it's tied to the motherboard/hardware that came

with the computer.

>Unless anyone has any other suggestions

 

Better hurry out and buy a copy from a retailer before they stop

selling it.

 

>

>Paul

>

>"JS" wrote:

>

>> You most likely have an OEM version of XP that is tied/locked to the BIOS.

>> Once you updated your BIOS Windows most likely thinks it's not the same PC,

>> which caused the activation issue. You may and I say may be able to activate

>> over the phone.

>> Also look for a keycode sticker located somewhere on the PC's case and also

>> get the OEM keycode currently being used by Windows XP. These two keycodes

>> most likely will not be the same, have both codes in front of you when you

>> make the phone call.

>>

>> To retrieve the keycode from windows use on of the utilities list below:

>> Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

>> (It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

>> Also:

>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

>>

>> How to activate Windows XP

>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

>>

>> See the section titled: "How to activate Windows XP by phone".

>>

>> JS

>>

>> "Paul Curtis" <Paul Curtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:68E58E01-17FB-4DC6-825F-F42FBA263E26@microsoft.com...

>> > Hi

>> > I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

>> > starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a bios

>> > problem

>> > So I installed a new bios.

>> >

>> > Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer exist)

>> > tells me I need to activate window.

>> >

>> > How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web, but

>> > states there was a problem with the number.

>> > It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

>> >

>> > I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

>> > Paul

>>

>>

>>

[Guest Pablo]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

If you don't download a bios, how do you update it? Last time I was in Best

Buy they didn't have any.

 

"PD43" <pauld1943@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:9f4b44ltg28no6tgqans7jufije8trerd2@4ax.com...

> Paul Curtis <PaulCurtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>

>>Hi,

>>

>>Ive tried to activate it via the phone, but its an automated number and it

>>tells me my number is invalid and I should contact the supplier.

>>

>>That would be good if Time Computing still existed.

>>

>>I am going to try and download/find the original BIOS. Maybe that will

>>solve

>>it.

>

> You don't download a BIOS. When someone says your copy is tied to the

> BIOS they mean that it's tied to the motherboard/hardware that came

> with the computer.

>

>>Unless anyone has any other suggestions

>

> Better hurry out and buy a copy from a retailer before they stop

> selling it.

>

>

>>

>>Paul

>>

>>"JS" wrote:

>>

>>> You most likely have an OEM version of XP that is tied/locked to the

>>> BIOS.

>>> Once you updated your BIOS Windows most likely thinks it's not the same

>>> PC,

>>> which caused the activation issue. You may and I say may be able to

>>> activate

>>> over the phone.

>>> Also look for a keycode sticker located somewhere on the PC's case and

>>> also

>>> get the OEM keycode currently being used by Windows XP. These two

>>> keycodes

>>> most likely will not be the same, have both codes in front of you when

>>> you

>>> make the phone call.

>>>

>>> To retrieve the keycode from windows use on of the utilities list below:

>>> Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

>>> (It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

>>> Also:

>>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

>>>

>>> How to activate Windows XP

>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

>>>

>>> See the section titled: "How to activate Windows XP by phone".

>>>

>>> JS

>>>

>>> "Paul Curtis" <Paul Curtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>>> news:68E58E01-17FB-4DC6-825F-F42FBA263E26@microsoft.com...

>>> > Hi

>>> > I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

>>> > starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a

>>> > bios

>>> > problem

>>> > So I installed a new bios.

>>> >

>>> > Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer

>>> > exist)

>>> > tells me I need to activate window.

>>> >

>>> > How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web,

>>> > but

>>> > states there was a problem with the number.

>>> > It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

>>> >

>>> > I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

>>> > Paul

>>>

>>>

>>>

[Guest PD43]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

"Pablo" <ieatbeans@hotmail.com> wrote:

>If you don't download a bios, how do you update it?

 

It's a whole lot more difficult than just downloading it. That said,

whatever it was that the OP meant, the OP was wrong in thinking that a

download would help the situation.

> Last time I was in Best Buy they didn't have any.

 

XP for sale?

 

There are a whole lot more places in the retail world than Best Buy.

 

>

>"PD43" <pauld1943@comcast.net> wrote in message

>news:9f4b44ltg28no6tgqans7jufije8trerd2@4ax.com...

>> Paul Curtis <PaulCurtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>>

>>>Hi,

>>>

>>>Ive tried to activate it via the phone, but its an automated number and it

>>>tells me my number is invalid and I should contact the supplier.

>>>

>>>That would be good if Time Computing still existed.

>>>

>>>I am going to try and download/find the original BIOS. Maybe that will

>>>solve

>>>it.

>>

>> You don't download a BIOS. When someone says your copy is tied to the

>> BIOS they mean that it's tied to the motherboard/hardware that came

>> with the computer.

>>

>>>Unless anyone has any other suggestions

>>

>> Better hurry out and buy a copy from a retailer before they stop

>> selling it.

>>

>>

>>>

>>>Paul

>>>

>>>"JS" wrote:

>>>

>>>> You most likely have an OEM version of XP that is tied/locked to the

>>>> BIOS.

>>>> Once you updated your BIOS Windows most likely thinks it's not the same

>>>> PC,

>>>> which caused the activation issue. You may and I say may be able to

>>>> activate

>>>> over the phone.

>>>> Also look for a keycode sticker located somewhere on the PC's case and

>>>> also

>>>> get the OEM keycode currently being used by Windows XP. These two

>>>> keycodes

>>>> most likely will not be the same, have both codes in front of you when

>>>> you

>>>> make the phone call.

>>>>

>>>> To retrieve the keycode from windows use on of the utilities list below:

>>>> Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

>>>> (It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

>>>> Also:

>>>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

>>>>

>>>> How to activate Windows XP

>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

>>>>

>>>> See the section titled: "How to activate Windows XP by phone".

>>>>

>>>> JS

>>>>

>>>> "Paul Curtis" <Paul Curtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>>>> news:68E58E01-17FB-4DC6-825F-F42FBA263E26@microsoft.com...

>>>> > Hi

>>>> > I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

>>>> > starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a

>>>> > bios

>>>> > problem

>>>> > So I installed a new bios.

>>>> >

>>>> > Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer

>>>> > exist)

>>>> > tells me I need to activate window.

>>>> >

>>>> > How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web,

>>>> > but

>>>> > states there was a problem with the number.

>>>> > It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

>>>> >

>>>> > I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

>>>> > Paul

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>

[Guest Pablo]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

Bios, idiot.

 

"PD43" <pauld1943@comcast.net> wrote in message

news:hdbb44ha8tnad4i7trpfum99h9s345nb9i@4ax.com...

> "Pablo" <ieatbeans@hotmail.com> wrote:

>

>>If you don't download a bios, how do you update it?

>

> It's a whole lot more difficult than just downloading it. That said,

> whatever it was that the OP meant, the OP was wrong in thinking that a

> download would help the situation.

>

>> Last time I was in Best Buy they didn't have any.

>

> XP for sale?

>

> There are a whole lot more places in the retail world than Best Buy.

>

>

>>

>>"PD43" <pauld1943@comcast.net> wrote in message

>>news:9f4b44ltg28no6tgqans7jufije8trerd2@4ax.com...

>>> Paul Curtis <PaulCurtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>>>

>>>>Hi,

>>>>

>>>>Ive tried to activate it via the phone, but its an automated number and

>>>>it

>>>>tells me my number is invalid and I should contact the supplier.

>>>>

>>>>That would be good if Time Computing still existed.

>>>>

>>>>I am going to try and download/find the original BIOS. Maybe that will

>>>>solve

>>>>it.

>>>

>>> You don't download a BIOS. When someone says your copy is tied to the

>>> BIOS they mean that it's tied to the motherboard/hardware that came

>>> with the computer.

>>>

>>>>Unless anyone has any other suggestions

>>>

>>> Better hurry out and buy a copy from a retailer before they stop

>>> selling it.

>>>

>>>

>>>>

>>>>Paul

>>>>

>>>>"JS" wrote:

>>>>

>>>>> You most likely have an OEM version of XP that is tied/locked to the

>>>>> BIOS.

>>>>> Once you updated your BIOS Windows most likely thinks it's not the

>>>>> same

>>>>> PC,

>>>>> which caused the activation issue. You may and I say may be able to

>>>>> activate

>>>>> over the phone.

>>>>> Also look for a keycode sticker located somewhere on the PC's case and

>>>>> also

>>>>> get the OEM keycode currently being used by Windows XP. These two

>>>>> keycodes

>>>>> most likely will not be the same, have both codes in front of you when

>>>>> you

>>>>> make the phone call.

>>>>>

>>>>> To retrieve the keycode from windows use on of the utilities list

>>>>> below:

>>>>> Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

>>>>> (It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

>>>>> Also:

>>>>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

>>>>>

>>>>> How to activate Windows XP

>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

>>>>>

>>>>> See the section titled: "How to activate Windows XP by phone".

>>>>>

>>>>> JS

>>>>>

>>>>> "Paul Curtis" <Paul Curtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>>>>> news:68E58E01-17FB-4DC6-825F-F42FBA263E26@microsoft.com...

>>>>> > Hi

>>>>> > I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

>>>>> > starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a

>>>>> > bios

>>>>> > problem

>>>>> > So I installed a new bios.

>>>>> >

>>>>> > Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer

>>>>> > exist)

>>>>> > tells me I need to activate window.

>>>>> >

>>>>> > How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web,

>>>>> > but

>>>>> > states there was a problem with the number.

>>>>> > It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

>>>>> >

>>>>> > I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

>>>>> > Paul

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>

>>

[Guest PD43]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

"Pablo" <ieatbeans@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Bios, idiot.

 

You wanna play? Cool.

 

>

>"PD43" <pauld1943@comcast.net> wrote in message

>news:hdbb44ha8tnad4i7trpfum99h9s345nb9i@4ax.com...

>> "Pablo" <ieatbeans@hotmail.com> wrote:

>>

>>>If you don't download a bios, how do you update it?

>>

>> It's a whole lot more difficult than just downloading it. That said,

>> whatever it was that the OP meant, the OP was wrong in thinking that a

>> download would help the situation.

>>

>>> Last time I was in Best Buy they didn't have any.

>>

>> XP for sale?

>>

>> There are a whole lot more places in the retail world than Best Buy.

>>

>>

>>>

>>>"PD43" <pauld1943@comcast.net> wrote in message

>>>news:9f4b44ltg28no6tgqans7jufije8trerd2@4ax.com...

>>>> Paul Curtis <PaulCurtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>>>>

>>>>>Hi,

>>>>>

>>>>>Ive tried to activate it via the phone, but its an automated number and

>>>>>it

>>>>>tells me my number is invalid and I should contact the supplier.

>>>>>

>>>>>That would be good if Time Computing still existed.

>>>>>

>>>>>I am going to try and download/find the original BIOS. Maybe that will

>>>>>solve

>>>>>it.

>>>>

>>>> You don't download a BIOS. When someone says your copy is tied to the

>>>> BIOS they mean that it's tied to the motherboard/hardware that came

>>>> with the computer.

>>>>

>>>>>Unless anyone has any other suggestions

>>>>

>>>> Better hurry out and buy a copy from a retailer before they stop

>>>> selling it.

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>>

>>>>>Paul

>>>>>

>>>>>"JS" wrote:

>>>>>

>>>>>> You most likely have an OEM version of XP that is tied/locked to the

>>>>>> BIOS.

>>>>>> Once you updated your BIOS Windows most likely thinks it's not the

>>>>>> same

>>>>>> PC,

>>>>>> which caused the activation issue. You may and I say may be able to

>>>>>> activate

>>>>>> over the phone.

>>>>>> Also look for a keycode sticker located somewhere on the PC's case and

>>>>>> also

>>>>>> get the OEM keycode currently being used by Windows XP. These two

>>>>>> keycodes

>>>>>> most likely will not be the same, have both codes in front of you when

>>>>>> you

>>>>>> make the phone call.

>>>>>>

>>>>>> To retrieve the keycode from windows use on of the utilities list

>>>>>> below:

>>>>>> Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

>>>>>> (It does a good job of providing a wealth of information.)

>>>>>> Also:

>>>>>> http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

>>>>>>

>>>>>> How to activate Windows XP

>>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

>>>>>>

>>>>>> See the section titled: "How to activate Windows XP by phone".

>>>>>>

>>>>>> JS

>>>>>>

>>>>>> "Paul Curtis" <Paul Curtis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>>>>>> news:68E58E01-17FB-4DC6-825F-F42FBA263E26@microsoft.com...

>>>>>> > Hi

>>>>>> > I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

>>>>>> > starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a

>>>>>> > bios

>>>>>> > problem

>>>>>> > So I installed a new bios.

>>>>>> >

>>>>>> > Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer

>>>>>> > exist)

>>>>>> > tells me I need to activate window.

>>>>>> >

>>>>>> > How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web,

>>>>>> > but

>>>>>> > states there was a problem with the number.

>>>>>> > It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

>>>>>> >

>>>>>> > I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

>>>>>> > Paul

>>>>>>

>>>>>>

>>>>>>

>>>

>

[Guest HeyBub]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

Paul Curtis wrote:

> Hi

> I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

> starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a

> bios problem

> So I installed a new bios.

>

> Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer

> exist) tells me I need to activate window.

>

> How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web,

> but states there was a problem with the number.

> It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

>

> I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

> Paul

 

Let's see: Your computer, including explorer.exe, used to work. Several

things changed and now your computer acts flakey.

 

From this you surmise that the only thing known NOT to change, the BIOS,

must now be updated.

 

Do you see anything wrong with this picture?

 

Be aware that fiddling with the BIOS increases dramatically the chance that

the computer will NEVER work, no matter what you do. Bothering the BIOS is

even a worse idea than a registry cleaner.

[Guest Paul Curtis]

Re: Windows XP activation code

 

Thanks for that.. I think Ive learnt the hard way.

 

Good job Ive not worked in the IT industry for 19 years. (mostly as a

coder). But also installing unix and at one point 15 years ago installing

windows for clients. Glad I dont do that now otherwise my clients could have

problems. At least I could have fixed it if it was a unix issue.

 

 

"HeyBub" wrote:

> Paul Curtis wrote:

> > Hi

> > I was having problems with my PC and explorer.exe kept stopping and

> > starting. So I found something in google that stated it could be a

> > bios problem

> > So I installed a new bios.

> >

> > Now my PC (which is 4 years old and the company "time" no longer

> > exist) tells me I need to activate window.

> >

> > How can I get windows back. I tried the activation thing on the web,

> > but states there was a problem with the number.

> > It is a Valid copy of XP as it came with the PC.

> >

> > I'm now stuck. Any ideas.

> > Paul

>

> Let's see: Your computer, including explorer.exe, used to work. Several

> things changed and now your computer acts flakey.

>

> From this you surmise that the only thing known NOT to change, the BIOS,

> must now be updated.

>

> Do you see anything wrong with this picture?

>

> Be aware that fiddling with the BIOS increases dramatically the chance that

> the computer will NEVER work, no matter what you do. Bothering the BIOS is

> even a worse idea than a registry cleaner.

>

>

>