Windows Product Activation System Identification Number Is All Dashes (322960)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q322960

SYMPTOMS

When you try to activate your copy of Microsoft Windows XP by phone, Windows may generate a System Identification Number that consists entirely of dashes, and you cannot proceed with activation.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, repair your installation of Windows XP, and then activate the product. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive.
  2. Restart your computer. If you have to, change the BIOS settings to start from the CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer again.
  3. At the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.
  4. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
  5. Use the arrow keys to select the installation of Windows XP that you want to repair, and then press R to start the automatic repair process.
  6. When Setup is completed, activate Windows XP.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about how to complete an in-place upgrade or repair ofWindows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

315341 How to Perform an In-Place (Reinstallation) Upgrade of Windows XP

For additional information about Microsoft product activation, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

302806 Description of Microsoft Product Activation

For additional information about how to activate Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

307890 HOW TO: Activate Windows XP

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/21/2002
Keywords:kbprb KB322960
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.