I recently downloaded a few security updates to my XP Pro SP1. Since that time when I boot it it asks to be reactivated and when I answer yes it states that it has already been activated and when I click OK it loops and states it needs to be reactivated and keeps going through this process. I tried system restore through safe mode to no avail, it made no difference. How do I solve this problem? No answer from Microsoft.

Hi, I kept having the same problem, it's not xp but your boot sequence setup in bios. What you need to do is restart your install, and let it load, it will say setup needs to restart to continue, press any key to reboot or wait 15 seconds ect ect, GET THE CD OUT NOW!!!!! it will then restart, ask you to reinsert the windows xp-pro disk in drive blah blah blah,put it back in,hit ok, finish install. it's just a common problem with newer computers set in bios who's cd or dvd drives are set to MASTER, and to boot from cdrom before the hd, even if the cd drive is on the secondary IDE channel, not really a windows issue. You need not be concerned if you only have an upgrade disk and not a full version because win xp-pro will simply delete whats inside the system files in the windows folder and recreate the files so you will have a fresh install. hope this helps you with your problem. Kingy Microsoft hides behind Linux for protection!!! http://news.zdnet.co.uk/software/linuxunix/0,39020390,39115920,00.htm

Ihave the same problem, tried your advice but when I attempted to install XP again I was told that I couldn't because I had a more recent version running, presumably because I have downloaded service pack 2. Any ideas?