activation loop?

[dave s]

hi maybe someone can help me. i just got this older dell computer from a buddy. win xp installed in it. well i start it up and i get this message saying to activate.k thats fine go to activate and it says it already is installed. can only go on in safe mode. did some reading and tried to fix with other peoples some what called solutions.tried to install service pack 3 again but does not work.could someone please help me?

[flekr]

do you have a xp disk? if so just re-install windows....you have nothing to lose on the hd.....

[dave s]

no i dont have the xp disk. it was already preinstalled in the tower.does anyone know where i could download the disk?

[earlyriser]

do a google for the authentication patch/work around...