Windows XP activation help?

Question

ok I formatted my using these steps:

http://forum.mininova.org/index.php?showtopic=234967209

and on the site there's a link to a program that shows you your cd key,

and it works. problem is, that it says its the wrong key yet it matches exactly to the COA.

help anyone?

(i only has 29 days for activation or w/e)

Answer 1

turn your computers clock back and use the trial version FOREVER!!!!

Answer 2

The PID on the installation CD HAS to match the type of COA licence used to install or you will get the error like yours.

Answer 3

After the 30-day period, that software changes the registry to trick the software into thinking it has been activated properly.  I wouldn't recommend using it, though.  If you want a free, operating system, learn to use one of the many varieties of Linux available all over the internet.  I myself use Pendrive Linux and d**n Small Linux.  These are good for me, since the hard drive is broken on my computer and these allow me to run the entire computer off of a USB pendrive.  If you want something easy to learn, try one of the flavors of Ubuntu, or try Freespire, which is designed specifically for Windows users who want to switch.