Hi Ted,
If you are unable to activate using your existing key then your only
alternative is to use the Microsoft Telephone activation service, which you
will see listed as an option in your activation dialogue box. You should
first find the toll free number for your country and then with the diologue
box still open give them a call. You will probably be asked by a computer to
go through the activation process again. When that doesn't work you'll be
transfered to a human representative. What they will probably ask you to do
is generate a new key-the Activation app can do that-then they will read
back to you your activation code. Of course this all assumes that you are
using a legitimate copy of Windows-if you are not then contacting Microsoft
will probably result in you being offered a discount if you buy a legal copy

Chelsea


"Ted" <Ted@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:55DDADD8-8310-4750-A9E0-8EEBC428F5F5@microsoft.com...
> Ok i had to reformat my computer due to a Virus. Well, i reinstalled
> windows
> after that, and forgot to activate it and never got to it. The 30 days
> passed, so i put in the key that is on my system. Well, it never worked,
> said
> it was incorect.
>
> I figured formatting again would help, so i did so just now. And it is
> still
> saying its not the right key, can somone PLEASE help me?
>
> I have a Compact, windows XP Home edition. Please help.