"Sol" <Sol@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:43B40EA7-1018-4DB4-B4D0-987A425ADCB9@microsoft.com...
> Hi! Im having a bit of a problem activating my windows. The thing is while
> waiting for my adsl modem to arrive the 30 day activation period expired.
> So
> I don´t have an internet connection on the computer in question. I live in
> Iceland which doesn´t have a toll free number to call and the number I can
> call (and pay for) is a foreign one! So that would be a bit to expensive
> for
> my budget.
> I can´t activate over the internet and I can´t phone anyone! So I´m stuck
> with a computer I can´t use! Not good. Can anyone give me advice on what
> to
> do? Is there any way to activate windows over the internet using a
> different
> computer?
> Please help!
>


Got an Internet connection now? If so, and since it's only been a month,
backup your data and install a fresh copy of Windows XP so you get prompted
by the new instance to perform its activation. Then you can use your
current connection to activate. From
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx, "If the hard disk is
reformatted and the software is reinstalled, reactivation will be required.
The same grace periods for activation apply in this situation." Before
doing a fresh install, you might try an in-place upgrade
(http://support.microsoft.com/?id=315341) to see if that will trigger
Windows for an activation again.

If you don't have an Internet connection yet, go grab an AOL and use their
free trial period to use dial-up for now. Don't install any of their
software crap on the CD. Just use it to get an account. Of course, if AOL,
Earthlink, or anyone else giving away a free trial period doesn't have a
local number then you need to use long-distance (at which point you might
just decide to do the collect call to activate via telephone).

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