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XP activation loop
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geeksalive View Drop Down
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Posts: 15 		  Quote geeksalive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: XP activation loop
    Posted: 17 May 2006 at 5:35pm
Originally posted by gaana

replacing OEMBIOS.BIN in the \windows\system32

directory might help you. I would like to work with you on this issue.


Thank you! 

OEMBIOS.BIN is about 13 MB, and the one on the problem disk is identical to one on a scratch disk with a fresh (not activated) install.

What should I replace it with?

Originally posted by gaana

go to start --run and type---c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a      .............it will say windows is activated or not

It says, "You cannot activate Windows from Safe Mode..."


Originally posted by gaana

do you see HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify\RESET5


There's no "RESET5" there.


Originally posted by gaana

rename the WPA.DBL file and expand the same from the cd.

please try these steps and let me know.


I already replaced WPA.DBL and WPA.BAK with versions from the fresh (unactivated) install.  It didn't help.


Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Regards,
-Dave
dave403 at burtonsys dot com but please no spam
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gaana View Drop Down
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Posts: 206 		  Quote gaana Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2006 at 4:36am

I will go ahead and replace the oembios.bin with one on the fresh install or expand it from cd (better expand it from cd), just to be on safe side. Otherwise go for repair install of windows after uninstalling antivirus on machine

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315341

 
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EP_X0FF View Drop Down
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Posts: 4753 		  Quote EP_X0FF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2006 at 4:42am
Maybe you better try ASR?
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geeksalive View Drop Down
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Posts: 15 		  Quote geeksalive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2006 at 7:20am
ganna, I don't have an OS installation CD for this machine, only a pair of "restore CDs" (which reimages eMachines branded XP+SP1 onto the HDD via Norton Ghost).  I do have other copies of Windows (unbranded OEM XP+SP2, and MSDN's XP), but not with available license keys.  If I attempt a Repair Install of XP from either of them, will I still be able to use the license key from the sticker on the eMachines box?

"Fc /b" says that the oembios.bin file is byte-for-byte identical to one from the scratch HDD which has the fresh, unactivated copy of XP on it.

The WPA.DBL file which is now on the main hard disk drive is one just 1230 bytes long  that I copied from a fresh, unactivated reimage of XP onto a scratch HDD.  When Windows is successfully activated (on a scratch disk), the size of WPA.DBL grows from 1230 bytes to 12,598 bytes.  (I also have a saved 2220-byte version of WPA.DBL, which I think was the original one, but I'm no longer sure where I got it.)

How the heck can the darn activation tool continue to claim that this copy of Windows is already activated, when the WPA.DBL file is only 1230 bytes???  Grrrrr...


Ep_xoff, what is ASR?


Thanks,
-Dave
dave403 at burtonsys dot com but please no spam
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EP_X0FF View Drop Down
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Posts: 4753 		  Quote EP_X0FF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2006 at 8:11am
Automatic System Restore - Windows setup ask you for launch fresh install, ASR or exit. But as I read you don't have any disks, so it is can not be a solution for your problem.

WPA uses mechanisms that affect on Windows in WHOLE, not only on some registry keys or files (even if they contains WPA in name). Or you think in MS so stupid programmers that made defence which can be deactivated by any user with RegMon/FileMon?

First Windows XP release can be actived by simply patching winlogon.exe. But for this time security was slightly improved. You will no success with Registry/Files. This problem requires higher level of solution.

Edited by EP_X0FF - 18 May 2006 at 8:14am
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gaana View Drop Down
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Posts: 206 		  Quote gaana Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2006 at 8:50am
something mysterious here. we are missing something-don't know what? you mentioned you were working with microsoft. did they escalated the case?
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MP_ART View Drop Down
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Posts: 947 		  Quote MP_ART Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2006 at 8:56am
I think, it is impossible to understand algorithm of WPA by tracing it with Filemon/RegMon (pushing "OK"/"Cancel"/"Apply" buttons and watching results in fs/reg monitors).
It is same as manual C R A C K I N G
Do not listen the words like:
Originally posted by gaana


rename the WPA.DBL file and expand the same from the cd.

do you see HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify\RESET5

go to start --run and type---c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a      .............it will say windows is activated or not


Edited by MP_ART - 18 May 2006 at 9:13am
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EP_X0FF View Drop Down
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Posts: 4753 		  Quote EP_X0FF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2006 at 9:00am
Originally posted by gaana

something mysterious here. we are missing something-don't know what? you mentioned you were working with microsoft. did they escalated the case?
Yes you are missing the answer. Answer will be - you are going wrong way.

p.s. To not posting again, right "legal" way - reinstall, or ASR

Other way - as MP_ART said - C R A C K I N G

Edited by EP_X0FF - 18 May 2006 at 9:02am
Ring0 - the source of inspiration
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geeksalive View Drop Down
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Posts: 15 		  Quote geeksalive Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2006 at 1:57pm
Originally posted by gaana

something mysterious here. we are missing something-don't know what? you mentioned you were working with microsoft. did they escalated the case?


I agree, gaana.  But I've finally given up, and admitted defeat.  It leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but I just cannot waste infinite time on this.

Microsoft says that since a reinstall works the problem is solved.  I replied that they have a bug to fix, but they apparently don't agree - they didn't even reply.

-Dave
dave403 at burtonsys dot com but please no spam
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EP_X0FF View Drop Down
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Posts: 4753 		  Quote EP_X0FF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 May 2006 at 7:43pm
Reinstall. The common sense has triumphed
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