HUGE computer problem!
 

OK I was deleting old programs I don't use from my control panel (like yahoo messenger etc) and I came upon some spyware, deleted it..and accidentally deleted an important file. Now when I boot up my computer it says "You have 3 days to activate windows, input the 25 digit code". The thing is I bought my computer custom made with all this stuff on it, I don't know where to get the code. It says Windows will stop running in 3 days.. :( :(

You need to get an activation code from the company you bought your computer or windows software from. It should have come with your machine/software when you first bought it.

Though, you can't delete your activation information through the control panels.

This also needs to be in the Computer section, not the Electronics section. Please make sure that you post in the correct forums. Thanks.

doing so now. thanks :)

for future reference: you'll probably target a better audience if you post these sorts of things in Tilted Computers.

As far as i know you need to ring microsoft, and you give them the authentication number, which you should have got with one of the products. On most computers it's the sticker stuck on the computer with a 25 digit product key.

It bugs me that people still have trouble finding the CD key for Windows! If you can't find it, you haven't done your search, Google it!!

if your system didnt come with the serial number and it was a smaller mom and pop store, it might be a pirated copy.

but, if you can find the files you erased (recycle bin maybe??) the file you need to restore is wpa.dbl and it belongs in the system32 folder in the windows directory

you should have a sticker on the computer some where that has the key on it.

there are tools out to read/write/change the registration codes as for some cheated keys service pack 2 wont install ...

check those out to avoid new installation ....

good luck, ... CITRUS

edit: i mean .... get these tools, check for a new unpirated key, exchange old with new key in he system registry with the help of the utility .... cold help getting it back working ...

rebuilt an old machine today, couldn't find the key. windows wasn't activated, told me it required activation just to boot. It displayed the code on the screen when I chose to call the number. Read 'em off to the robot on the other end, get yer new numbers, painless. screw the sticker.