It is asking me for the activation key number but I do not have it. I am currently running windows xp professional and there is a message that says "message number 45090." What do I do?

Click on Start and then Run.

1. In the text box in the Run window, type regedit and click OK. This will open the Registry Editor program.
2. Locate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder under My Computer and click on the (+) sign next the folder name to expand the folder.
3. Continue to expand folders until you reach the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents registry key.
4. Click on the WPAEvents folder.
5. In the results that appear in the window on the right, locate OOBETimer.
6. Right-click on the OOBETimer entry and choose Modify from the resulting menu.
7. Change at least one digit in the Value data text box and click OK. This will deactivate Windows XP. Feel free to close Registry Editor at this point.
8. Click on Start and then Run.
9. In the text box in the Run window, type the following command and click OK.
   %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
10. When the Let's activate Windows window appears, choose Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows and then click Next.
11. Click the Change Product Key button at the bottom of the window.
    Don't worry about filling anything out on this screen.
12. Type your new, valid Windows XP product key in the New key: text boxes and then click the Update button.
13. You should now reactivate Windows XP by following the instructions on the Activate Windows by phone window which you should now be seeing or via the Internet by clicking the Back button and following the instructions on that screen.
    If you'd rather postpone activating Windows XP until a later date, you can click the Remind me later button.
14. After activating Windows XP, you can verify that activation was successful by repeating steps 9 and 10 above.
    The Windows Product Activation window that appears should say "Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit."
    

How To Change the Windows XP Product Key

Did you have Windows XP Professional on your laptop before you downloaded it from the internet? If not, that's your first problem.

When you reinstall or download a operating system you must use the one that is on the Certificate Of Authentication (COA) Sticker on the bottom of your laptop or inside the battery case. That's your key on it (the series of 5 letters and numbers).

If you use someone else's disk to install or download like you did you must make sure that it is the same operating system as yours. In other words, if your COA says Windows XP Home, then you can't install Windows XP Professional because when it comes time to activate it will fail.

Borrow a operating system disk that is the same as your COA from neighbor, friend, relative or co-worker and reinstall windows. When it asks for the key, use the key that is on your COA Sticker then it will activate.

If you have to take it to a computer repair shop they should install the operating system for $60 or less if you have a valid COA Sticker.

> I reinstall Windows XP Professional .. it asked me [for] product key.

What CD-ROM did you use -- the CD-ROM supplied by the manufacturer (Dell, HP, eMachines, ACER) or a "non-genuine" copy on a CD-recordable disk?

Did you copy the product-key from the decal on the side-panel of the desktop
(or the decal on the bottom of the laptop) ?

Were you connected to the Internet when it "again" asked for the activation code?
If so, Windows has connected to Microsoft, to compare your product-key to a list
of "bad" ("compromised") license-keys, and it found a MATCH, indicating that you
have a "non-genuine" copy of Windows XP.

Please supply more details.

It appears you have a pirated copy which is not legit or a repair shop has installed XP but then used their key instead of yours. All you can do is call Microsoft and provide them with the key you have and see if they can help. To get the correct phone # go through the process of activation and when it asks how you want to activate choose by phone. It will give you the number in your area. Leave the computer where it is and call Microsoft. To start activation follow these directions curtorsey of: Microsoft.

1. Click Start.
2. Point to All Programs.
3. Point to Accessories.
4. Point to System Tools.
5. Click Activate Windows.

I recommend that you run System Restore to create a new restore point before you follow these steps.

First of all you need to decative Windows and reactivate it.
Deactivate Windows loadTOCNode(4, 'moreinformation');

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3. In the navigation pane, locate and then click the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents
4. In the topic pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.
5. Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.

Reactivate Windows and add new product key loadTOCNode(4, 'moreinformation');

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK. %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
3. Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next.
4. Click Change Product key.
5. Type the new product key in the New key boxes, and then click Update.
   
   If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later, and then restart the computer.
6. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to verify that Windows is activated. You receive the following message: Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.
7. Click OK.

When you decide to activate your Windows XP, do it by phone rather than online.

If you have a problem entering the codes, you will be directed to a live person who can help you through the process.

Hi There, do the following

click on Start, Run
Type regedit
browse to the following...

1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents registry key.
2. Click on the WPAEvents folder.
   
3. In the results that appear in the window on the right, locate OOBETimer.
   
4. Right-click on the OOBETimer entry and choose Modify from the resulting menu.
   
5. Change at least one digit in the Value data text box and click OK. This will deactivate Windows XP.
   
6. Click on Start and then Run.
   
7. In the text box in the Run window, type the following command and click OK.
   %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
   
8. When the Windows Product Activation window appears, choose Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows and then click Next.
   
9. Click Change Product Key.
   
10. Type your new, valid Windows XP product key in the New key text boxes and then click Update.
    
11. If you're taken back to the previous screen and prompted, choose Remind me later.
    
12. Restart your PC.
    
13. 
    
14. you can then activate you're windows with the new key
    
15. Good luck
    

Please take some time and rate my level of service, thx

Regards
Techmor

YVGKQ B7QYX WWPBR M7T2R PB8BM

you will find an .exe file provided along with the file you downloaded it..
just paste the avitation code in it and click on generate. it will generate a new key.
use that and enjoy installation