Begineer ~ Activate Windows XP

Hi all,

I am using TI 9.1 Universal Restore software to backed up Dell workstation and restore it to other Dell model workstation, that is successfully.
I backed up IBM Notebook & tried to restore to Dell model workstation, the restore buttom "OK" was displayed.
Problem: After Dell workstation rebooted & logged in, the Windows XP request to activate license key, then i tried to activate but fail so i cannot to login the workstation.

Do you have any sugguestion for me to solve the problem ?

Please notice me via email when you reply.

THANKS.

 

That copy of XP will be registered to the IBM system so it won't work when you put it on another system.

 

How can i solve this problem ? How about the clone function ?

 

I don't think you can solve the problem without purchasing another key from Microsoft. The IBM's key won't be valid on another computer and so it won't be activated.

 

In order to combat software piracy, Microsoft developed product activation for XP and other of their software. Other major companies also use variations on this theme.

In the case of a name-brand PC, that came with XP pre-installed, the activation is linked to the BIOS of the PC. That is the software that drives the most fundamental part of the motherboard, well below the level of XP. Even similar models by the same PC maker may have different BIOS software.

In general it is not possible to copy, clone, restore, etc one of these XP installations to another PC. The only major exception would be if the PC maker sent you a new motherboard. Then, one would hope they also sent either (1) the same BIOS, (2) a way to update the BIOS without tripping on activation. You might want to contact Dell, if you feel that some underlying hardware issue is causing you to try to move XP. They might be able to advise you how to fix it, or how much they will change to do it for you.

In contrast to pre-installed versions of XP, the full-retail version may be transferred any number of time to different PCs with different hardware. Activation wil be required, but it should be relatively fast and painless. Note that even before worrying about activation, you might to perform a "repair" installation, if the hardware chages enough. This fixes driver issues and otehr hardware-specific problems. The retail verison of XP can do this.

In the middle-ground are OEM licenses of XP that are sold to the public. These are intended for mom&pop PC shops, but anyone can buy one. These are limited to one and only set of hardware. They cost about $100 less than the full retail license, but are obviously less flexible.

If you really want to get the new PC going with image you just restored, you will need to buy an other XP license, then perform a repair installation, which is one way to change the license key. (There may be others, but they will all require a fresh XP license. Try a Google search.)

If you merely want to recover personal files, that can probably be done outside of XP, and for free. Look into LINUX-based "live" CDs. These run LINUX from the CD (or DVD), install nothing on the hard drive, and can copy files form inside a PC out to USB media or CDs. KNOPPIX is one that is fairly reliable and easy to use.