Microsoft KB Archive/944962

= A computer that is running Windows XP Home Edition for Prepaid Computers or Windows XP Home Edition for Subscription Computers enters Hardware Locked Mode when you remove the CMOS battery =

Article ID: 944962

Article Last Modified on 12/4/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition for Prepaid Computers
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition for Subscription Computers

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SYMPTOMS
You remove the CMOS battery from the motherboard of a computer that is running Windows XP Home Edition for Prepaid Computers or Windows XP Home Edition for Subscription Computers. Then, the computer enters Hardware Locked Mode (HLM).

HLM prevents you from accessing the operating system. When the computer is in this mode, you see a screen that contains the following items:
 * A support telephone number
 * The computer ID
 * A Challenge string

You cannot use the computer until you contact customer support to unlock the computer.

This problem may occur even though the initial time balance has not run out, and the computer still has a positive time balance.

Note The average operational time for a CMOS battery is approximately three years.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, contact the solution provider’s representative if the computer needs a CMOS battery replacement.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about metering behavior, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

938345 A description of metering behavior on computers that are running Windows XP Home Edition for Prepaid Computers or Windows XP Home Edition for Subscription Computers

Keywords: kbbug kbnofix KB944962

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