Windows thinks there have been hardware changes and wants to re-activate

I logged onto my computer this morning to be greeted by a error box from Windows saying that i had hardware changes since it was first install. Also all my network settings had disappeared!(I think that occured with a error with renewing my IP)

!!!I Have NOT Change ANY Hardware Since I First installed Windows!!!

Anyway the error said i needed to re-activate windows with a new license because i had changed the hardware, which i haven't. I clicked "no" and it said i had 3 days to activate. If i try to activate it takes me to this page: http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/do...BR&sGuid=aa5b82f3-a681-42a9-a3f0-64f820a313d3
This version of windows is 100% legit (Its Windows XP Pro SP2 all updates)
I managed to get my network setting back but unless i buy XP Pro AGAIN for £90 i'm going to have a dud computer. I'm backing up all my files now on my network but does anyone know away that i can make it see i haven't changed any hardware or just stop it or remove it???

Will answer any questions but please do help as i really really really do not want to format.

 

Dude, call microsoft, explain the situation, bitch and whine at them if they don't believe you, and they'll eventually give you that reactivation code.
I've had 5 customers with similar problems this week, so it's probably a microsoft problem.

 

Its not a code you need to enter. Well if it is i can't see anywere to enter it. Its not similar to the activation you get when you first install it.
I will probably call them up soon and explain and see what they say but half the time i phone them up i know more about windows than they do Also i am a bit hesitant to phone them up wait in a line for 30 mins whilst its costing me like £20

 

This kind of reactivation usually makes the normal activation icon in Start > All Programs reappear, so it should just be a matter of either reactivating through there or entering an activation code.

 

Nope, its not like the keys in the system tray, its not in Start or Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools.

Its a different WGA(Windows Geniune Advantage) thing.

I think it might be conflicting with the activation thing...seen as its already activated and is in fact 100% legit but because for some reason it think the hardware has changed it gets confused and thinks "uh well...the activation says its legal and this says its not because of the hardware...well that must mean its a illegal copy because its trying to get around activating"

Thats just an idea what do you think?

 

Sounds like a probability, but again, the only people that can solve it would either local techie's or the fools @ the microsoft helpdesk.

 

***grumbles*** yeah i'll give them a ring in a minute then see what they say...

Keep you posted

 

Woah something weird just happened!

I was working on the computer and then the "actiavtion keys" popped up in the system tray i made a move for it but it disappeared straight away and then later it came back and i managed to click on it just before it went and it brought up the activate windows, like when you first install, and said "lets activate" so i did and choose via internet and then it said "thank you for registering windows"...

I don't know if its accutally done it but i'll reboot soon and see if its done the trick.

pretty wierd but it seems to be working now...i looked on microsofts site for help and i was told to do this:



Try the following:

1. Reboot your computer into "Safe Mode".

2. Go to Start > Run and type: %systemroot%\system32 then press the Enter key.

3. Locate these two files: wpa.dbl and wpa.bak

4. Rename the wpa.dbl file to wpaold.dbl and wpa.bak to wpaold.bak

5. Reboot your computer into Normal mode.

This will force activation on the following boot, but should remove the message that you are already activated message. Sometimes if these files get corrupted, they can cause this type of problem.


Should i do this anyway if it seems to be working?

 

I wouldn't do it unless that message pops up again...
But anyways, i told you it should give you the option to activate

 

Yeah, pretty weird that it only showed up for like a second at a time eh... I should restart and see if its truly gone...keep you posted as usual

 

Restarted and appears to have gone I'd better keep those instructions to hand in case it happens again...

Thanks for guiding me, The_Fiend, i guess you were right in the end

 

Sorry, removed :S