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    Yesterday I decided to completely wipe my computer and start over so I formatted my hard drive and re-installed Windows XP Home.  Everything installed fine until it came time activate my installation.  Since about 11pm yesterday the activation window has been telling me "Online activation cannot be completed at this time".  So I called Microsoft last night to get it validated.   The gentleman that I spoke to told me that the system that handle validation is undergoing routine maintenance and to try again in an hour.  I did so with no luck.

     

    This morning I (around 9pm) tried again to activate XP Home only to get the same message.  I then called Microsoft again only to be told that there is a problem with their activation portal. 

     

    I currently own about 4 OEM copies of XP Home that I purchased from Newegg.com and this is the first re-install since I purchased this license almost a year ago...

     

    Can some confirm if this is actually the case or is there another problem I should be working to solve?

     

    Thanks!

    Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:08 PM

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    ************************************************************************************************************

     

    45131 Error message resolution:

     

    We have identified the problem. The frequent reinstallation of Windows XP with activation may exceed specified limits, and provided that you maintain compliance with the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) the next course of action is to contact Microsoft offline by phone to activate the genuine Windows XP product.

     

    Please follow these steps for activation offline via telephone:

     

    1) Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Activate Windows.  (If for some reason the menu entry is missing:  Start>Run, type oobe/msoobe.exe /a and click OK.) 


    2) Choose Activate Windows by Telephone and follow the prompts.  If the automated telephone activation is not accepted, you will be offered the option to speak with a live activation representative.  Choose that option. 


    3) The rep will ask a few questions for the purpose of confirming that you are still using your license for Windows XP in accordance with the EULA.  If so, the rep will issue an activation code for you to enter into the Activation Wizard.

     

     

    How to activate Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890/en-us

    Lori MS

     

    Thursday, May 29, 2008 4:40 PM

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    If you are getting "Message number: 45131" at the bottom then you are not alone.  I have a full retail boxed version of Windows XP Professional freshly installed experiencing this error.

    Sunday, April 27, 2008 6:19 AM
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    Hello,

     

    I'm having the same problem so I think that this is a problem at microsoft. I tried doing the telephone activation and that comes back with an unusual message. I often have to do activations in work so I couldn't be bothered speaking to an operator. I presumed it would be fixed by today. Still, at least I have another 29 days before activation is required. They should have it fixed by then.

     

    Thanks

    Sunday, April 27, 2008 1:24 PM
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    Hi There ....

     

    Having same problem - Windows Xp Home Ed. Checks for Connectivity and the gives error 45131 - try again later?? first attempt about 2 hours ago so i will keep on trying but why is there no information on the server status??

    • Proposed as answer by SARAT DOGRA Wednesday, January 21, 2009 7:00 AM
    Monday, April 28, 2008 10:55 PM
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    same problem here as well

    Tuesday, April 29, 2008 5:57 AM
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    same problem on 2 computers here at work

     

    original error is 24579   once i click retry the error change to 45131

     

    time to warm up my dialing finger and get comfey in the chair as

    i call in to M$ to activate these 2 machines

     

    HELP!!!!

    Tuesday, April 29, 2008 8:26 AM
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    Anyone have any luck figuring this out? I'm having the same problem.
    Tuesday, April 29, 2008 6:25 PM
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    No luck here either.  Does it simply give this error if it does not like the code or is the system down?  Can anyone confirm the system is down?
    Tuesday, April 29, 2008 11:29 PM
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    No idea if the system is down - but it does seem likely. I had to activate over the phone today as it was for a customer, I asked the guy what the server status was or if there was a problem but got no response or acknowledgment to my questions. So all of this has to be speculation - although i find it strange that so many are suddenly having the same problem.

    Tuesday, April 29, 2008 11:36 PM
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    managed to get both systems activated over the phone

    also managed to activate 2 xp homes and a vista install today via the internet  

    i would guess its only affecting specific keys?? or instilation id's ??

    maby something to do with the sp3 and new xp keys being sent out

     

    any offical word  would be appreciated 

    Wednesday, April 30, 2008 12:02 PM
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    To all,

     

    Please try to re-activate your Windows XP OS

     

    Activation and Registration of a Microsoft Product:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326851/en-us

     

    Description of Microsoft Product Activation:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302806/en-us

     

    Activation KB Articles:

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307890&sd=techh

     

    If you are still experiencing activation issues, please start a new thread and we will try to resolve it.

     

    I hope this helps!

     

    Lori MS

    Wednesday, April 30, 2008 5:38 PM
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    Having the same problem with my Thinkpad XP Pro.  Did a repair install and can't activate over the internet.
    Will keep trying.
    Saturday, May 3, 2008 12:39 PM
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     swaddell08 wrote:

    Yesterday I decided to completely wipe my computer and start over so I formatted my hard drive and re-installed Windows XP Home.  Everything installed fine until it came time activate my installation.  Since about 11pm yesterday the activation window has been telling me "Online activation cannot be completed at this time".  So I called Microsoft last night to get it validated.   The gentleman that I spoke to told me that the system that handle validation is undergoing routine maintenance and to try again in an hour.  I did so with no luck.

     

    This morning I (around 9pm) tried again to activate XP Home only to get the same message.  I then called Microsoft again only to be told that there is a problem with their activation portal. 

     

    I currently own about 4 OEM copies of XP Home that I purchased from Newegg.com and this is the first re-install since I purchased this license almost a year ago...

     

    Can some confirm if this is actually the case or is there another problem I should be working to solve?

     

    Thanks!

    Saturday, May 3, 2008 2:32 PM
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    I have the same problem here ... been trying to activate for over a week now.  tried several different keys too (that I know are valid) ... no dice.  this is clearly a m$ issue --- something with their key validation is messed up.  wtg m$ ... i suspect this is just their way of forcing people to downgrade to vista.  in my case, the machine i am trying to activate used to have vista on it and i am trying to upgrade it to xp.

    Saturday, May 3, 2008 4:16 PM
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    I just freshly reformatted my pc and I can't get activate windows to worth either I get the same message 45131.
    Monday, May 5, 2008 4:41 PM
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    Couldn't activate my copy of windows as the gentleman said that their system was going through an 'unplanned' maintenance schedule and to phone back in half an hour.  I tried half an hour then was told to call back in one hour.  Meanwhile as an emergency I installed Ubunto in another computer just in case it was going to take another hour.

    Guess what, Microsoft still couldn't provide an activation code!

    Cost of ownership has just gone up, meaning that the time I spent trying to solve this 'activation' problem was considerately more than installing and supporting a linux system.

    Is there anyother method to activate Windows?  eg a software tool?
    Monday, May 5, 2008 11:19 PM
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    Well I am having the same issue with our MSDN XP Pro, I keep getting the same error code.  Is the activation server back up.  I need to get this installed soon for development testing.
    Tuesday, May 6, 2008 1:48 PM
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    hi im having problems with activation on my sony vaio havent used it for a while so switched on and went on line ,automatic updates came in and machine restarted ,only to be told i had to activate ,couldnt do it on line as it only has wireless so called the freephone number gave the man my id number then entered the number he gave me pressed finish only to be told on screen to activate windows ,the man then told me to call support but cant find any one on there to help just kept me going in circle so i activated again only to be told the same thing now im getting error code 0x8004050a ,all this trouble since the updates before that all was working fine

    Tuesday, May 6, 2008 4:08 PM
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    To all who replied on this thread,

     

    Please file a service request using the weblink below concerning the 45131 error message you are receiving during activation:

     

    http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52029

     

    Add the installation id's to activate the product in the case notes. (this is a series of 9 six digit numbers) 

    The IID should be displayed during the activation process via the phone.

     

    Here is the process to activate your xp product via phone:

     

    1.

    Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Activate Windows.

    Or, click the Windows Activation icon in the notification area.

    2.

    Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to active Windows now.

    3.

    Click Read the Windows Product Activation Privacy Statement, click Back, and then click Next.

    4.

    Follow the steps in the Activate Windows by phone dialog box, and then click Next.

    Note The number appears now and differs based on the location that you select.

    5.

    When activation is completed and you receive the following message, click OK.

    You have successfully activated your copy of Windows.

     

    Please reply back to this thread with the case number only once you have finished creating a case.

     

    Thank you,

     

    Lori MS


     



    Thursday, May 8, 2008 6:46 PM
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    ==============================

    INCIDENT DETAILS

    ==============================

    Incident Title: Activation problem - Message number: 45131

    Support Request Number: 1067191147

    Wednesday, May 14, 2008 1:37 AM
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    Titel: Activation problem - Message number: 45131
    Supportanfrage-Nummer: 1067213191
    Wednesday, May 14, 2008 8:42 AM
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    ==============================

    INCIDENT DETAILS

    ==============================

    Incident Title: Fail to activate window Err msg 45131

    Support Request Number: 1067960451
    Thursday, May 22, 2008 6:58 AM
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    To all listed on this thread,

     

    The 45131 Error messages seen may have been due to temporary server issues for activation. 

     

    Please let us know if this message is still being seen or has ceased.

     

    Lori MS

    Thursday, May 22, 2008 4:22 PM
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    still having it
    Thursday, May 22, 2008 6:34 PM
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    I'm having the same error, too.
    Friday, May 23, 2008 6:25 PM
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    ineedhelp2323,

     

    Please file a service request using the weblink below concerning the 45131 error message you are receiving during activation:

     

    http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52029

     

    Add the installation id's to activate the product in the case notes. (this is a series of 9 six digit numbers) 

    The IID should be displayed during the activation process via the phone.

     

    Here is the process to activate your xp product via phone:

     

    1.

    Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Activate Windows.

    Or, click the Windows Activation icon in the notification area.

    2.

    Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to active Windows now.

    3.

    Click Read the Windows Product Activation Privacy Statement, click Back, and then click Next.

    4.

    Follow the steps in the Activate Windows by phone dialog box, and then click Next.

    Note The number appears now and differs based on the location that you select.

    5.

    When activation is completed and you receive the following message, click OK.

    You have successfully activated your copy of Windows.

     

    Please reply back to this thread with the case number only once you have finished creating a case.

     

    Thank you,

     

    Lori MS

    Friday, May 23, 2008 6:42 PM
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    Still having the same issue on 5/23/08 - only have 6 more days before Windows blocks me.  I'm on the road for next ten days.  Why is Microsoft doing this?  By the way, when I received my case number a couple of weeks ago, Microsoft said they would reply/resolve the issue in three business days - I haven't heard a thing from anyone!!!  Now I'm starting to understand why my friends are shifting to MACs.

    Saturday, May 24, 2008 2:27 AM
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    ==============================

    INCIDENT DETAILS

    ==============================

    Support Request Number: 1068451221

    Tuesday, May 27, 2008 9:08 PM
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    Hi,

    I also have the same problem.
    I have reinstall XP Pro but not from the original CD as I couldn't find the disk.
    So I used Dell XP Pro reinstall CD and type the product key that I have for that machine.
    But it won't work for activation.

    Here is the request ID
    Support Request Number: 1068537480

    thanks
    Zaw
    Wednesday, May 28, 2008 5:57 PM
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    Thursday, May 29, 2008 5:03 AM
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    Incident Title:windows activation
          Support Request Number:1066937460

    still having the same problem cant get into system as the first screen i see is windows needs to be activated ,going to go for a fresh install,had no reply from microsoft

    Thursday, May 29, 2008 10:03 AM
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    ************************************************************************************************************

     

    45131 Error message resolution:

     

    We have identified the problem. The frequent reinstallation of Windows XP with activation may exceed specified limits, and provided that you maintain compliance with the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) the next course of action is to contact Microsoft offline by phone to activate the genuine Windows XP product.

     

    Please follow these steps for activation offline via telephone:

     

    1) Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Activate Windows.  (If for some reason the menu entry is missing:  Start>Run, type oobe/msoobe.exe /a and click OK.) 


    2) Choose Activate Windows by Telephone and follow the prompts.  If the automated telephone activation is not accepted, you will be offered the option to speak with a live activation representative.  Choose that option. 


    3) The rep will ask a few questions for the purpose of confirming that you are still using your license for Windows XP in accordance with the EULA.  If so, the rep will issue an activation code for you to enter into the Activation Wizard.

     

     

    How to activate Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307890/en-us

    Lori MS

     

    Thursday, May 29, 2008 4:40 PM
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    Lori MS said:

    We have identified the problem. The frequent reinstallation of Windows XP with activation may exceed specified limits, and provided......

    Are you freakinly kidding me?!


    I had issued a fresh license key for XP Pro today, and just activated fine using it. About half an hour later, I reinstalled the OS to help one friend learn to install OS. And guess what? When activating, it told me my license key's maximum allowance for activation had been exceeded! I have nothing changed in hardware or configuration or anything...

    Don't you tell me I have frequent reinstallation of Windows XP! Just once! And if you don't allow even one time reinstallation to be done with no problem during online activation, let alone on the exact same PC of exact same hardware......I'm afraid that you are done here.
     
    Things aren't like this before. Windows XP used to active without any problem as long as on the same PC it was first installed upon with no hardware change. I know it well since I always reinstall OS.

    You know what, I found out that becasue of this, I just like Microsoft much less. And I've decided to give a shot to Mac next time I choose computer.
    Sunday, December 14, 2008 1:46 PM
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    GiganK,

    The situation you describe is an expected result under your circumstances.

    "I had issued a fresh license key for XP Pro today..." I will take to mean that you ordered a WGA Kit from Microsoft and received a Genuine Product Key via email.  This is currently the only method consumers can get a new Product Key from Microsoft.

    "About half an hour later, I reinstalled the OS..." this means that you did a second installation of XP on the same hardware using the new Product Key acquired via the WGA process.  The online Product Keys are restricted from being activated more than once using the Product Key Updater Utility, as the Product Key Updater utility is designed to be a stop-gap measure until Microsoft sends you the Genuine hologrammed CD in the mail, at which time you should backup and offload your data and do a clean installation of Genuine XP to minimize the use of a known nongenuine Windows instalaltion.  Future installations should be done with the genuine CD and the emailed Product Key.

    "Things aren't like this before."  That is correct.  Because of your circumstances and the fact that you stated you reinstall Windows frequently, you should expect to have to do telephonic activations in the future.  You could avoid that requirement by using disk imaging software to backup a clean installation of XP and save yourself a lot of time the next time a clean installation is desired.

    And new Macs can run Windows Vista using Bootcamp, so feel free to purchase a Mac and a new copy of Windows Vista :-)
    For great advice on all topics XP, visit http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp
    Monday, December 15, 2008 4:12 PM
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    Here is the solution: If one uses SP3 media  (XP Home or Pro), with an older product key, this will happen. Just use SP2 media, activate, then install SP3.
    Monday, December 15, 2008 7:00 PM