Microsoft is making good their promise to remove mandatory product key input during the installation or upgrading process of Windows XP operating system, in a new Windows Product Activation (WPA) process that similar to what implements in Windows Vista. However, only integrated Windows XP with Service Pack retail install or OEM CD can bypass the step to enter product key. Windows XP SP3 installation or setup CD/DVD for corporate customers with volume licensing agreement still require a valid and legitimate volume license product key (VLK) to be entered, as tested and reported by Tip and Trick previously.

Continue reading Install Windows XP SP3 Without Product Key and Use for 30 Days Free with Retail CD » » »

Windows Vista Ultimate Extras gives away two free sound schemes for Windows Vista Ultimate customers who can download and install the sound packages from Windows Update. The sound scheme package of either Ultimate Extras Pearl or Ultimate Extras Glass, when enable, customize and change the sound and notification tune that Windows plays when user performs a task and an event happens in Windows and supported application programs.

Continue reading How to Install and Use Windows Vista Ultimate Extras Sound Schemes (Pearl and Glass) in XP » » »

Although Microsoft is delaying the distribution of Windows XP SP3 RTW (Release to Web) on Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center (but the standalone update packages are downloadable from Microsoft server), it has released the full installation CD ISO images for Windows XP with Service Pack 3 on MSDN and TechNet subscription site. The Windows XP with Service Pack 3 ISO image is bootable CD to install Windows XP which already slipstream or integrate with the latest SP3, eliminating the need for users to separately download and install the service pack again, and most importanly, chance of encountering problems and errors during SP3 upgrade.

Continue reading Windows XP SP3 with Service Pack 3 Full Installation CD ISO Image Relased on MSDN/TechNet » » »

Microsoft is not going to going to release Windows XP SP3 to the Windows Update, and probably Microsoft Download Center on schedule, which set to be today (April 29) after all. Worse still, Windows Vista SP1 release-to-web (RTW) which has been rolled out in phase through Windows Update has been tentatively halted. Both service packs are reported to have a new compatibility issue with Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS)

Continue reading Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista SP1 Release to Web (RTW) Delay » » »

Windows XP SP3 (Service Pack 3) code bits are now been uploaded to Windows Update server, ahead of its public availability release schedule on April 29, 2008 for distribution channel through Windows Update. Users who wary of downloading and applying the unofficial Windows XP SP3 setup file can now used the direct download links to download Windows XP SP3 setup installer from Microsoft WU servers.

Continue reading Official Windows XP SP3 Build 5512 Final Download Links from Windows Update » » »

After installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), the system may encounter an error code 0×80070002 that saying “A problem is preventing Windows from accurately checking the license for this computer.” The computer boots up and log on to desktop, but the error dialog pops up. Cancel the dialog will log off user. Attempt to login will fail again and logout. The process repeats endlessly in loop, and users cannot access the desktop. The only thing user can do is to restart the computer.

Continue reading 0X80070002 License Check Failure and Unable to Logon Error After Installing Windows XP SP3 » » »

When starting Windows XP computer, the following error message appears:

A problem is preventing Windows from accurately checking the license for this computer. Error code: 0×80070002.

Continue reading 0×80070002 Is Preventing Windows from Accurately Checking the License Error » » »

Cumulative Time Zone update (KB942763) is a cumulative update rollup that includes all the changes that were previously released in Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) articles 928388, 929120, and 933360. KB942763 update changes the time zone data to accommodate daylight saving time (DST) changes in several countries. Installing this update enables your computer to automatically adjust the computer clock on the correct date in 2007 and 2008 due to revised Daylight Saving Time laws in many countries.

Continue reading Daylight Saving Time (DST) Time Zone Update (KB942763) Download Links » » »