Windows XP/Server 2003 activation issues \ VOGONS

Windows XP/Server 2003 activation issues

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First post, by Errius

Posted on 2017-08-14, 02:43

Errius Offline

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I'm trying to install Windows Server 2003 on one of my old machines and can't activate it. I assume the activation servers have gone down. Has Windows XP activation also been pulled?

"This all reminds me when i took the windows vista sticker thingy off my old laptop, and on my washing machine as a joke. A few days later said washing machine stopped working. I still think this cannot be a coincidence."

Reply 1 of 5, by Jade Falcon

Posted on 2017-08-14, 02:50

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Servers arnt down that i know of. But online activation is not quite an option anymore. M$ change the way its done. You will need to call M$ to activation xp/03k manually. Thry may send you a link to manualy online.

Reply 2 of 5, by Unknown_K

Posted on 2017-08-14, 02:56

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I was trying to activate a legit win 2003 r2 yesterday with the same issue.

Let me know if you get a workaround.

Collector of old computers, hardware, and software

Reply 3 of 5, by Jade Falcon

Posted on 2017-08-14, 03:06

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Once more you have to call M$. Number is on the activation window.
I active xp/03k boxes regularly.

Reply 4 of 5, by kaputnik

Posted on 2017-08-14, 04:06

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Personally I've SLP patched the BIOS of my XP rig, and built an installation media with the corresponding SLP license. Very convenient, no online activation needed. Should work with 2003 too 😀

Reply 5 of 5, by Errius

Posted on 2017-08-15, 08:45

Errius Offline

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So today it activated over the internet. I don't know why it wasn't working yesterday. It may have been something to do with Windows Update. Update everything before you try to activate.

What can't be activated at all any more is Office 2003.

ETA: Got Office 2003 to activate over the internet the day after I wrote that. It hasn't been updated from yesterday to today. Weird. I think activation success/failure is random. You just have to keep hammering the activation server and it will eventually work. Anyway once this system is all set up I'm going to image the hard drive so I don't have to go through this BS again.

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