I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the library
didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale. She said that the
man told her the computer works "just fine". He even gave her the Windows XP
Home Edition disk, in case there were any problems. Well, we decided it was
best to re-install Windows XP due to problems. It downloaded perfectly, but
I keep getting the message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T
HAVE THE INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?

I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection, but
would that make the computer registered to my account?

Help!

BeachgalSuz wrote:
> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the library
> didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale. She said that the
> man told her the computer works "just fine". He even gave her the Windows XP
> Home Edition disk, in case there were any problems. Well, we decided it was
> best to re-install Windows XP due to problems. It downloaded perfectly, but
> I keep getting the message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T
> HAVE THE INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?

there's a toll-free number you can call....you should get the option to
look for a number during the activation procedure.

Use the phone activation method.

"BeachgalSuz" <BeachgalSuz@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A891341D-6E1C-452C-9CB9-DF71851AB784@microsoft.com...
|I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the library
| didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale. She said that
the
| man told her the computer works "just fine". He even gave her the Windows
XP
| Home Edition disk, in case there were any problems. Well, we decided it
was
| best to re-install Windows XP due to problems. It downloaded perfectly,
but
| I keep getting the message to complete registration. The problem, WE
DON'T
| HAVE THE INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
|
| I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection, but
| would that make the computer registered to my account?
|
| Help!

There is an option to register by mail or fax. You can use that.

OR

If you register on your home internet access it won't "register" it on your
account. You are registering WinXP and activating it, not registering your
account.

Regards.....

"BeachgalSuz" <BeachgalSuz@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A891341D-6E1C-452C-9CB9-DF71851AB784@microsoft.com...
>I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the library
> didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale. She said that
> the
> man told her the computer works "just fine". He even gave her the Windows
> XP
> Home Edition disk, in case there were any problems. Well, we decided it
> was
> best to re-install Windows XP due to problems. It downloaded perfectly,
> but
> I keep getting the message to complete registration. The problem, WE
> DON'T
> HAVE THE INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>
> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection, but
> would that make the computer registered to my account?
>
> Help!

"BeachgalSuz" wrote:

> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the library
> didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale. She said that the
> man told her the computer works "just fine". He even gave her the Windows XP
> Home Edition disk, in case there were any problems. Well, we decided it was
> best to re-install Windows XP due to problems. It downloaded perfectly, but
> I keep getting the message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T
> HAVE THE INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>
> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection, but
> would that make the computer registered to my account?
>
> Help!

You can activate by phone:
How to activate Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890

Activate Windows using Microsoft Text Telephone
http://technet2.microsoft.com/Window....mspx?mfr=true

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/wmx/wpa100.asx

Nope, even you activate by connect it in your house it doesn't mean it will
be owned by you unless you filled the Form details with your information.
HTH.
nass

"BeachgalSuz" <BeachgalSuz@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote

>I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the library
> didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale. She said that
> the
> man told her the computer works "just fine". He even gave her the Windows
> XP
> Home Edition disk, in case there were any problems. Well, we decided it
> was
> best to re-install Windows XP due to problems. It downloaded perfectly,
> but
> I keep getting the message to complete registration. The problem, WE
> DON'T
> HAVE THE INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>
> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection, but
> would that make the computer registered to my account?

There are two separate issues - registration and activation. Which do you
mean? Registration is voluntary and of no benefit to the user, so don't
both with it. I think however, that you mean activation which is mandatory.
If no internet access just do the phone activation.

And no it doesn't matter where the computer is when it's activated. It's
not tied to any personal info.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

BeachgalSuz wrote:
> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the
> library didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale.
> She said that the man told her the computer works "just fine". He
> even gave her the Windows XP Home Edition disk, in case there were
> any problems. Well, we decided it was best to re-install Windows XP
> due to problems. It downloaded perfectly, but I keep getting the
> message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T HAVE THE
> INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>
> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection,
> but would that make the computer registered to my account?

Why don't you have internet at school? Or is it just in the library?

An even bigger question is why have millions been paying a "universal access
fee" (the 'Al Gore' tax) on their telephone bills since forever to guarantee
that you do?

This situation would be completely unacceptable in any community of which
I'm aware.

HeyBub wrote:
> BeachgalSuz wrote:
>> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the
>> library didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale.
>> She said that the man told her the computer works "just fine". He
>> even gave her the Windows XP Home Edition disk, in case there were
>> any problems. Well, we decided it was best to re-install Windows XP
>> due to problems. It downloaded perfectly, but I keep getting the
>> message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T HAVE THE
>> INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>>
>> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection,
>> but would that make the computer registered to my account?
>
> Why don't you have internet at school? Or is it just in the library?
>
> An even bigger question is why have millions been paying a "universal access
> fee" (the 'Al Gore' tax) on their telephone bills since forever to guarantee
> that you do?
>
> This situation would be completely unacceptable in any community of which
> I'm aware.
>
>
you can select to call an employee at Microsoft and you will get a
number that you tell him/her and then you get another number from the
same person to put in the box and then you have activated
windows/registered.

BeachgalSuz wrote:

> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the
> library didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale.
> She said that the man told her the computer works "just fine". He
> even gave her the Windows XP Home Edition disk, in case there were
> any problems. Well, we decided it was best to re-install Windows XP
> due to problems.


Good! If I bought a used computer, the first thing I would do with it would
be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea how the
computer has been maintained, what has been installed incorrectly, what is
missing, what viruses and spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't want to live
with somebody else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddie porn,
etc., and I wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either.


> It downloaded perfectly,


No, to "download" is normally to transfer a file from the internet to your
computer. You mean "it *installed* perfectly."


> but I keep getting the
> message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T HAVE THE
> INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?



Don't do it. Registration is completely optional and has no benefit to you.
It is only used for Microsoft's marketing purposes.

It's "activation" that is required, and I'm sure that's what you mean.


> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection,
> but would that make the computer registered to my account?


No. Activation is completely anonymous. It ties the operating system to the
hardware, not to a person.

You can do that, or, more easily, just take the option to activate by voice
call to an 800 number.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

BeachgalSuz wrote:

> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the
> library didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale.
> She said that the man told her the computer works "just fine". He
> even gave her the Windows XP Home Edition disk, in case there were
> any problems. Well, we decided it was best to re-install Windows XP
> due to problems.


Good! If I bought a used computer, the first thing I would do with it would
be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea how the
computer has been maintained, what has been installed incorrectly, what is
missing, what viruses and spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't want to live
with somebody else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddy porn, etc.,
and I wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either.



> It downloaded perfectly


To "download" is normally to transfer a file from somewhere on the internet
to your computer. What you mean is not "it downloaded perfectly," but "it
installed perfectly."


> but I keep getting the
> message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T HAVE THE
> INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?


You mean "activate," not "register." Registration is completely optional,
and has no benefit to you. It's used only for Microsoft's marketing
purposes. It's activation that is mandatory.

You should have been given an 800 number to call and activate. No need to
have an internet connection.


> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection,
> but would that make the computer registered to my account?


No. Activation is completely anonymous. It ties the copy of Windows to the
*hardware*, not to the person.

You could activate either by bringing it home or by by calling the 800
number. Either works, but I'd choose the 800 number because it's easier.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Personally I would go one step further & zero wipe the disk(s) entirely
using this free tool.
http://dban.sourceforge.net/
Just boot from the CD it makes & type "Autonuke" to wipe all disks on the
machine.

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
news:%234HZMUPaHHA.4520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> BeachgalSuz wrote:
>
>> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the
>> library didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale.
>> She said that the man told her the computer works "just fine". He
>> even gave her the Windows XP Home Edition disk, in case there were
>> any problems. Well, we decided it was best to re-install Windows XP
>> due to problems.
>
>
> Good! If I bought a used computer, the first thing I would do with it
> would be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea how
> the computer has been maintained, what has been installed incorrectly,
> what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't
> want to live with somebody else's mistakes and problems, possibility of
> kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either.
>
>
>> It downloaded perfectly,
>
>
> No, to "download" is normally to transfer a file from the internet to your
> computer. You mean "it *installed* perfectly."
>
>
>> but I keep getting the
>> message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T HAVE THE
>> INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>
>
>
> Don't do it. Registration is completely optional and has no benefit to
> you. It is only used for Microsoft's marketing purposes.
>
> It's "activation" that is required, and I'm sure that's what you mean.
>
>
>> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection,
>> but would that make the computer registered to my account?
>
>
> No. Activation is completely anonymous. It ties the operating system to
> the hardware, not to a person.
>
> You can do that, or, more easily, just take the option to activate by
> voice call to an 800 number.
>
> --
> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
> Please reply to the newsgroup
>

Richard wrote:

> Personally I would go one step further & zero wipe the disk(s)
> entirely using this free tool.
> http://dban.sourceforge.net/
> Just boot from the CD it makes & type "Autonuke" to wipe all disks on
> the machine.


Why? There's no reason to do that if you reinstall Windows and keep the
computer. Tools that that are for people who want to give away, sell, or
discard their computer (or drive) and feel somewhat safer (the tools are
never perfect) that nobody will be able to see their deleted data.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup



>
> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
> news:%234HZMUPaHHA.4520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> BeachgalSuz wrote:
>>
>>> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the
>>> library didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale.
>>> She said that the man told her the computer works "just fine". He
>>> even gave her the Windows XP Home Edition disk, in case there were
>>> any problems. Well, we decided it was best to re-install Windows XP
>>> due to problems.
>>
>>
>> Good! If I bought a used computer, the first thing I would do with it
>> would be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea
>> how the computer has been maintained, what has been installed
>> incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may be,
>> etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody else's mistakes and
>> problems, possibility of kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend
>> that anyone else do either.
>>> It downloaded perfectly,
>>
>>
>> No, to "download" is normally to transfer a file from the internet
>> to your computer. You mean "it *installed* perfectly."
>>
>>
>>> but I keep getting the
>>> message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T HAVE THE
>>> INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>>
>>
>>
>> Don't do it. Registration is completely optional and has no benefit
>> to you. It is only used for Microsoft's marketing purposes.
>>
>> It's "activation" that is required, and I'm sure that's what you
>> mean.
>>> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection,
>>> but would that make the computer registered to my account?
>>
>>
>> No. Activation is completely anonymous. It ties the operating system
>> to the hardware, not to a person.
>>
>> You can do that, or, more easily, just take the option to activate by
>> voice call to an 800 number.
>>
>> --
>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
>> Please reply to the newsgroup

Do you mean registration or activation? They are 2 different things,
activation is required and can be done using the telephone option,
registration is not required.

--

----
Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
How to Post http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.db-pc.com
__________________________________________________ _______________________________


"BeachgalSuz" <BeachgalSuz@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A891341D-6E1C-452C-9CB9-DF71851AB784@microsoft.com...
>I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the library
> didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale. She said that
> the
> man told her the computer works "just fine". He even gave her the Windows
> XP
> Home Edition disk, in case there were any problems. Well, we decided it
> was
> best to re-install Windows XP due to problems. It downloaded perfectly,
> but
> I keep getting the message to complete registration. The problem, WE
> DON'T
> HAVE THE INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>
> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection, but
> would that make the computer registered to my account?
>
> Help!

I'd zero wipe the drive to ensure that the previous owners data was gone.
I would want no trace of their data on the machine.

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
news:e0Q5v0XaHHA.4220@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Richard wrote:
>
>> Personally I would go one step further & zero wipe the disk(s)
>> entirely using this free tool.
>> http://dban.sourceforge.net/
>> Just boot from the CD it makes & type "Autonuke" to wipe all disks on
>> the machine.
>
>
> Why? There's no reason to do that if you reinstall Windows and keep the
> computer. Tools that that are for people who want to give away, sell, or
> discard their computer (or drive) and feel somewhat safer (the tools are
> never perfect) that nobody will be able to see their deleted data.
>
> --
> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
> Please reply to the newsgroup
>
>
>
>>
>> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
>> news:%234HZMUPaHHA.4520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> BeachgalSuz wrote:
>>>
>>>> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the
>>>> library didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale.
>>>> She said that the man told her the computer works "just fine". He
>>>> even gave her the Windows XP Home Edition disk, in case there were
>>>> any problems. Well, we decided it was best to re-install Windows XP
>>>> due to problems.
>>>
>>>
>>> Good! If I bought a used computer, the first thing I would do with it
>>> would be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea
>>> how the computer has been maintained, what has been installed
>>> incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may be,
>>> etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody else's mistakes and
>>> problems, possibility of kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend
>>> that anyone else do either.
>>>> It downloaded perfectly,
>>>
>>>
>>> No, to "download" is normally to transfer a file from the internet
>>> to your computer. You mean "it *installed* perfectly."
>>>
>>>
>>>> but I keep getting the
>>>> message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T HAVE THE
>>>> INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Don't do it. Registration is completely optional and has no benefit
>>> to you. It is only used for Microsoft's marketing purposes.
>>>
>>> It's "activation" that is required, and I'm sure that's what you
>>> mean.
>>>> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my connection,
>>>> but would that make the computer registered to my account?
>>>
>>>
>>> No. Activation is completely anonymous. It ties the operating system
>>> to the hardware, not to a person.
>>>
>>> You can do that, or, more easily, just take the option to activate by
>>> voice call to an 800 number.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
>>> Please reply to the newsgroup
>
>

Richard wrote:

> I'd zero wipe the drive to ensure that the previous owners data was
> gone. I would want no trace of their data on the machine.


If you simply reformat and reload Windows, for all practical purposes, it's
all gone. The only possible way any remnants of their data might ever be
recoverable is with the use of very expensive data recovery services. And
the longer you use the computer, the more you write to its drive, and the
less likely that such data recovery could be successful.

It's your choice of course, but in my view, doing what you suggest doesn't
hurt, but is enormous overkill. It's just a waste of time.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup


> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
> news:e0Q5v0XaHHA.4220@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> Richard wrote:
>>
>>> Personally I would go one step further & zero wipe the disk(s)
>>> entirely using this free tool.
>>> http://dban.sourceforge.net/
>>> Just boot from the CD it makes & type "Autonuke" to wipe all disks
>>> on the machine.
>>
>>
>> Why? There's no reason to do that if you reinstall Windows and keep
>> the computer. Tools that that are for people who want to give away,
>> sell, or discard their computer (or drive) and feel somewhat safer
>> (the tools are never perfect) that nobody will be able to see their
>> deleted data. --
>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
>> Please reply to the newsgroup
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
>>> news:%234HZMUPaHHA.4520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>> BeachgalSuz wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I am the Librarian at my children's school. A parent saw that the
>>>>> library didn't have a computer, so she bought one at a yard sale.
>>>>> She said that the man told her the computer works "just fine". He
>>>>> even gave her the Windows XP Home Edition disk, in case there were
>>>>> any problems. Well, we decided it was best to re-install Windows
>>>>> XP due to problems.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Good! If I bought a used computer, the first thing I would do with
>>>> it would be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no
>>>> idea how the computer has been maintained, what has been installed
>>>> incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may
>>>> be, etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody else's mistakes and
>>>> problems, possibility of kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't
>>>> recommend that anyone else do either.
>>>>> It downloaded perfectly,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> No, to "download" is normally to transfer a file from the internet
>>>> to your computer. You mean "it *installed* perfectly."
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> but I keep getting the
>>>>> message to complete registration. The problem, WE DON'T HAVE THE
>>>>> INTERNET AT SCHOOL!! How can I register the product?!?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Don't do it. Registration is completely optional and has no benefit
>>>> to you. It is only used for Microsoft's marketing purposes.
>>>>
>>>> It's "activation" that is required, and I'm sure that's what you
>>>> mean.
>>>>> I thought about bringing the computer home and using my
>>>>> connection, but would that make the computer registered to my
>>>>> account?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> No. Activation is completely anonymous. It ties the operating
>>>> system to the hardware, not to a person.
>>>>
>>>> You can do that, or, more easily, just take the option to activate
>>>> by voice call to an 800 number.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
>>>> Please reply to the newsgroup