need a operating system code. replaced motherboard and now the activation code is wrong. i called mircrosoft and emachine. one tells me i have to buy a new one. emachine... microsoft tells me to call this number or that number which the fist thing is a credit card required. now that is just wrong. i already have the operating system which will run out in just 6 days. so i really need help... This computer is also emachine and i used the disk for it. since i can not find my other one. but i logged in the numbers from the other computer and still would not get activated.

Carol, December 2007

hi carrol
i recently had this problem when trying to activate xp trick to do is just activate it without registering if it asks you to call the centre call them its automated anyway you type in the code that is given to you and the computer asks why your reinstalling ie due to hardware failure dont be thobed of if you have to speak to an opperator they are pretty good the guy gave me a new code after my original home built machine broke and i built a new one and im using software that was bundled with a hp laptop not a desktop pc

garry, December 2007

Unfortunately you have been stung by the anti-piracy laws of XP. When you purchase a machine such as E-machines, they lock the copy of windows to all the hardware that is currently in the machine including the unique BIOS serial number. So when you purchased a new board the BIOS serial number wasn't accepted as a known number, hence why you are getting this problem. My only suggestion is to either buy a licensed copy, which you should be able to get from Ebay for a reasonable sum or try and locate a full installation XP CD and try your luck on that with the same serial number on the back of the machine.

Urban Kaos, December 2007

Hi Carol,
I see no one has answered your problem, try www.gadget-detective.com, go into "free tech advice" and put your question there, you should get a quick answer.
It seems a common fault with emachines, the motherboard on my 770 went after about 4 years, I have not got round to replacing it yet but then I dont think I will based on your experience, If you get the answer let me know how its done.
Good luck.
Roger

Roger, December 2007