Fixing Windows XP Activation Issues After a P2V

After you P2V an XP system, you may be not be able to log in because of a Windows Production Activation issue. 

 

Pressing Yes:  You're prompted for a key.  If your key doesn't work, you'll be logged off.

Pressing No:  You'll be returned to the Ctrl-Al-Del Screen. 

Fix:

Change your Windows installation to a version where you have a valid activation key.

Boot system to a volume license CD (or Retail CD).  This assumes you are legally licensed for this product.  Be sure to mount a floppy image of the VMWare SCSI drivers so the install can see the virtual disks.

 

Press Enter in this screen.  You do not want to use the Recovery Console.

 

Press R to Repair your installation in this Window.  You do not want to install a fresh copy of Windows XP.

Windows setup will 'repair' your installation

 Enter your product key when prompted

Log in!