Can't find the XP activation window for phone activation!

[Salamero]

I finished installing my Windows XP MCE 2005 SP2 and when I start up my pc i see the "activation key" on systems tray saying I have 30 days to activate Windows. I don't have internet access yet so I need to activate online but i can't find the activation window. Its not under start up->programs->accesories->system tools or anywhere else I've looked. Anyone know where i should look? Thanks.

 

[RebateMonger]

Here's where the shortcut is supposed to be in standard XP:
Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Activate Windows.

Have you tried clicking on the popup? That should take you to the activation program.
Or, try running the "Out of Box Experience" program:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe

 

[TG2]

Will you have internet access on the machine in the next 29 days? If so, why not just wait for it?

 

[Salamero]

Well, I keep getting errors regarding the windows installer not being available when I try to install stuff. Also, right now my it looks like a stripped down version of XP. Does this change after activation.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Here's where the shortcut is supposed to be in standard XP:
Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Activate Windows.

MCE has it in the same location.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Salamero
Well, I keep getting errors regarding the windows installer not being available when I try to install stuff. Also, right now my it looks like a stripped down version of XP. Does this change after activation.

Did you finish the MCE install? MCE first installs Windows XP Profesional. Then it finishes the install by adding the MCE extensions.

 

[Salamero]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Here's where the shortcut is supposed to be in standard XP:
Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Activate Windows.

Have you tried clicking on the popup? That should take you to the activation program.
Or, try running the "Out of Box Experience" program:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\oobe\msobe.exe

Just checked in the oobe folder and there is no msobe.exe file! WTF!

 

[Salamero]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger

Originally posted by: Salamero
Well, I keep getting errors regarding the windows installer not being available when I try to install stuff. Also, right now my it looks like a stripped down version of XP. Does this change after activation.

Did you finish the MCE install? MCE first installs Windows XP Profesional. Then it finishes the install by adding the MCE extensions.

Yes. Did both and the service pack asn well.,

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Salamero
Just checked in the oobe folder and there is no msobe.exe file! WTF!

Well, I don't have a working installation of MCE 2005 around right now. It's possible that MS doesn't use that program on MCE.

I just tried running XP Professional's Activation Wizard, and Task Manager reports it's running msoobe.exe.

BTW, I misspelled it earlier. It's MSOOBE.EXE.