System problem, trying to activate XP for a fourth time, also knowing there will be a fifth time when I change the hard disk (monitor irratically goes white). Inputting the ID code, Microsoft tells me "invalid try-again". I have a number to telephone a representaive, nearest is Singapore and quote a 54 digit number, what is thia another lottery? Advized the rep' may give me a new ID key, (following; at a price!) After inputting product ID, screen shows Free E-mail cannot be supported, pay by credit-card, My God! 46 pound Stirling for an e-mail, that is 84% of a new copy! I am English, can't read the Thai screen.

Bottom line; do I say to hel_l with bloody Microsft and turn to Linux?

£46.00

£46.00

Yeah, you got pretty raped. As far as Linux being ok for you.....that depends. What type of hardware are you running? How are you connecting to the internet? What is this machine's intended use? And finally, how good are your computer skills?

Are you talking about setting up a hotmail account after reinstalling XP? Hotmail is still free.

I have had to call Microsoft in the past when I could not activate. They just give a response number that you put in to activate XP. They check to see who it is registered to, and how many times it has been activated, but other than that, it should be free.

If the OP has an legit version of Windows XP, there is NOTHING to pay for and even the call to Singapore is free as long as use the TollFree Number! But nif the OP uses a pirated (counterfied) version, he has to pay!

And that has NOTHING to do with Thai because the whole conservation can be in english and will be if the requires keys on the phone are pressed correctly! The whole process on the Screen is in english as well and NOT in Thai!

I had done the Activations a lot of time and really know what I'm talking about!

Cheers.

Reimar is correct. He told me how to do it when I had a glitch and a message that my operating system wasn't registered. I have an aversion to talking on the phone and screwed around with emails for a couple of days with no luck. I finally called and it WAS toll free. I was back up and registered AGAIN within maybe 15 minutes. Absolutely no pain and my faith in Windows XP Pro was restored.

When you in Start->Settings->Control Panel->Regional and Language Options|then|TAB->Advanced..have selected Thai as "Language for non-Unicode programs"

It is possible you get Thai language Microsoft Activations pages, change this to USA English as default and you can read it.

Again, it is a typical Microsoft answer of IMPOSSIBLE, as they have no idea how there own operating system works.....

Of course I agree.. The Singapore number is toll free, but be aware most service apartments, where you have no direct line, charge it as overseas calling.

Edited March 4, 200818 yr by Richard-BKK

When you in Start->Settings->Control Panel->Regional and Language Options|then|TAB->Advanced..have selected Thai as "Language for non-Unicode programs"

It is possible you get Thai language Microsoft Activations pages, change this to USA English as default and you can read it.

Again, it is a typical Microsoft answer of IMPOSSIBLE, as they have no idea how there own operating system works.....

Of course I agree.. The Singapore number is toll free, but be aware most service apartments, where you have no direct line, charge it as overseas calling.

I used my cell phone and it was toll free. I checked my balance before and after. I was actually amazed that it cost me nothing. I had expected to at least pay the baht per minute.

Some people have the old fashion idea to call foreign numbers with land-lines..... As you say, is probably not a good selection...

Good tips by the way.... Use your mobile...

When you in Start->Settings->Control Panel->Regional and Language Options|then|TAB->Advanced..have selected Thai as "Language for non-Unicode programs"

It is possible you get Thai language Microsoft Activations pages, change this to USA English as default and you can read it.

Again, it is a typical Microsoft answer of IMPOSSIBLE, as they have no idea how there own operating system works.....

Of course I agree.. The Singapore number is toll free, but be aware most service apartments, where you have no direct line, charge it as overseas calling.

I used my cell phone and it was toll free. I checked my balance before and after. I was actually amazed that it cost me nothing. I had expected to at least pay the baht per minute.

System problem, trying to activate XP for a fourth time, also knowing there will be a fifth time when I change the hard disk

I changed my lap top's hard drive, did a system restore from the supplied "System Recovery" CDs, no code needed to be entered. Went to MS Windows Update web site and got all the updates, no problem.