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Here goes will multiple problems.
It all started last night at about 11.45pm New Years Eve in UK. My Media Centre started acting funny so I logged off and rebooted. Upon rebooting it asked me to activate Windows. Now this machine has worked happily for 18 mths. The COA is on the PC and totally original and 1 install only.
I tried activating over internet and it failed saying the code was wrong. I then tried by phone but again that talked me through to generating a new code but when I am asked to type in my existing code it says it is wrong.
I went through some Windows beta validation thing on the web that came back with what I understand to be the info stored in the pc regarding the existing install of MCE and the code it gave me was unrecognised by me.
I have another 2 MCE machines in the house and tried their codes and they werent accepted either by this pc.
So, came to conclussion it was the PC needing reformmating (as I have to do every 6 months or so with all MS machines!!!)
Problem now is that although in BIOS I have dissabled every device except the DVD to boot from, upon boot the light on the USB kybrd comes on long enough for me to DEL into BIOS etc but then when boot continues the light goes out so when it asked me to confirm I want to boot from CD by pressing a key, I cant!! It then continues to boot from HDD even though I have told BIOS not to boot from anything other than CD.
I have made sure that USB Keyboard support is ON in BIOS, have tried using a USB/PS2 convertor.
Now I am stuck.
Any help would be really appreciated
Thanks
Mike
Main PC Vista Dell XPS 730 2.4Ghz Quad,4GB, 8800GTX, Dell 30"@ 2560x1600
Main Laptop HP Compaq 8510w 2.5Ghz Dual, 2GB
OK, your computer came with WinXP MCE pre-installed. Did it come with restore disks or did you create them from the computer?
Are you using those restore disks now?
BTW, there should be no need to reinstall every 6 months.
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Its nothing to do with what restore disk etc Im trying to use, its the fact that I cant tell it to boot from the cd as it wont see I have a keyboard atteched to tell it to boot from cd
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"I tried activating over internet and it failed saying the code was wrong. I then tried by phone but again that talked me through to generating a new code but when I am asked to type in my existing code it says it is wrong."
Seems to me that has something to do with the key.
The activation failure could be due to many re-installations.
I see that your computer came with a wireless keyboard. I take it that doesn't work in the BIOS?
Have you ever used a USB keyboard to work in the BIOS? Do have a PS/2 keyboard port?
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im sure it is not a problem with the licence key as the telephone activation would have got round this. I dont have a USB kybrd anymore that is the whole problem.
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"I cant tell it to boot from the cd as it wont see I have a keyboard attached to tell it to boot from cd".
OEM computers shouldn't ever need activation if using the OS that came bundled with the computer.
Guess I assumed the above was a USB keyboard. I interpret the above to mean you have some type of keyboard wired (connected) to the unit.
You didn't answer if there is a PS/2 keyboard port on the unit.
A USB keyboard may not work either. PS/2 should always work.
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I forgot to mention this. I believe you have a card reader. Make sure there are no memory cards in there when booting to the Windows install disk.
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you didn't have to reformat and you sure as hell don't have to do it every 6months.
and you never try another computers key on a computer.
for the keyboard problem, try a different USB port or use the PS/2.
if you are using a retail copy of windows instead of the OEM that came with the computer, you should of called MS for a phone activation not a internet activation.
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I give up. You lot are obviously far too intelligent for me as you are making me seem stupid with your advice that is totally irrelevant.
Dont bother wasting any more time on this I will sort it out myself.
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emailmike
Who were you insulting in #8? None of the advice given here is irrelevant.
If the activation wasn't a problem then your OS would be running right now.
I don't intend to WASTE any more time on an ingrate.
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Try setting the boot order to CD 1st in your BIOS (i don't really understand what's the problem you're facing)... or just try a ps/2 keyboard
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