CharlieR wrote:
> I bought a Dell computer about 18 months ago. About 5 months ago
> lighting struck nearby and my motherboard was dead. Since I could not
> wait for Dell to send me a new motherboard, I went and bought a new
> one with the same chipset. When I installed it, everything worked
> fine although I had to re-activate XP (I ended up talking to someone
> (I can't remember if it was Microsoft or Dell) who eventually helped
> me get it activated).

Actually it was more than likely your ORIGINAL activation, not a
REactivation, since Dell uses BIOS-Locking to bypass the activation
process.

> THe other day XP decided to continually reboot itself. THe only
> solution I had was to re-install the OS since the repair function did
> not help. I was not even able to enter in Safe mode. The problem I
> now have is that I cannot re-activate XP. MS online re-activation
> says that I ahve the incorrect product key (or something like that).
> Dell does not give me any option to get software support. The MS
> telephone activation is now automated and gives me the same error as
> the online version.

At some point AFTER the automated phone activation process fail, you
should have been switched to a live Activation phone rep.

> So, the question is: Since I basically have a Dell system with a new
> motherboard, do I now need to buy a new version of XP? This sounds
> outrageous! Help!

Nope. Anyone that says you do is a complete asswipe.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"