Article ID: 308554
Article Last Modified on 3/6/2002
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition
This article was previously published under Q308554
SYMPTOMS
When you try to run Riprep.exe or Sysprep.exe on a master computer, you may receive the following Windows Product Activation error message:
CAUSE
The behavior can occur error when you try to run the Riprep.exe tool or the System Preparation Tool (Sysprep.exe) on a master computer after you previously ran either of these tools on the same computer three times. This can result in a Windows Product Activation violation because you have exceeded the maximum-allowable activation limit of three activation attempts when you use the Riprep.exe or Sysprep.exe deployment tools.
NOTE: This limitation does not apply to Volume License Media versions of the Windows XP.
RESOLUTION
To work around this behavior, prestage the master computer again by creating a clean installation of Windows XP Professional. After you do so, you can run the Riprep.exe or Sysprep.exe deployment tools and receive another three activations.
NOTE: With Sysprep.exe, you can choose to avoid resetting activations, but you cannot do so with Riprep.exe. To avoid resetting activations with Sysprep.exe, you would use the sysprep -activated command once it as been previously activated. This command prevents the grace period for Windows Product Activation from being reset. Use this option only if you have activated the Windows installation in Factory mode.
STATUS
This behavior is by design.
Additional query words: wpa
Keywords: kberrmsg kbprb KB308554
