Please Please Please Help

I am trying to setup my MAME cab but I am stuck, I hope some gurus out there can help me!!!

 

I have installed a J-PAC and ArcadeVGA, I power on the PC and cab and see the Acer boot screen on the arcade monitor, followed by the MAME splash screen. This is normal and I am happy up to this point. But then a Windows message is displayed stating that my hardware has changed dramatically since Windows was installed and that I must activate Windows. Even before I get the chance to select the Yes or No button on the message box, the monitor turns off. I rebooted the PC and tried selecting Yes on the message box, still the monitor turns off. I rebooted the PC again and selected No on the message box and again the monitor turned off. What the? :unsure The J-PAC has 3 LEDs lit up - SYNC IN, SYNC OK and SELF TEST. The monitor displays the Acer boot screen and MAME splash screen without any issues, I can even get into the BIOS. But once Windows loads, the monitor cracks it big-time and switches off. Does anyone have any idea what is happening??? :x

You need to go into safe mode this means you need a f8 key

my guess about the monitor the graphics are out of range, of its display res & yes xp hardware change that requires reactivation is a pain in the arse, so you need to reactivate over the net or reinstall windows.......... oh fun

You need to go into safe mode this means you need a f8 key

my guess about the monitor the graphics are out of range, of its display res & yes xp hardware change that requires reactivation is a pain in the arse, so you need to reactivate over the net or reinstall windows.......... oh fun

 

Is there a way of avoiding re-activation, like a registry hack or something? What happens if I don't re-activate?

 

Matthew

Is there a way of avoiding re-activation, like a registry hack or something? What happens if I don't re-activate?

 

Matthew

not an easy way of avoiding it & if you dont reactivate it wont log you on. you prob wont have a drama as the reactivation server lost most of its data a few months ago :cry or do you have a copy xp sp1

not an easy way of avoiding it & if you dont reactivate it wont log you on. you prob wont have a drama as the reactivation server lost most of its data a few months ago :cry or do you have a copy xp sp1

 

Thanks for your help, I have installed the ATI drivers and the monitor no longer switches off. I started playing some games and realised that MAME is going to need some tweaking :badgrin

 

Do you suggest that I re-install Windows XP? I currently have Windows XP Home (it came with the PC) but I only have an XP Pro CD. I guess I could connect to the Net and reactivate Windows, but I really wanted to avoid connecting the PC to the Net because my PC has no anti-virus software or firewall setup :o.

 

Matthew

i had a similar problem once and it was due to a changed xp boot screen, i had to start in safe mode and put the boot screen back to xp default

If you're trying to activate a legally obtained version of windows, I'm sure it's possible to do by phone or fax if you want to activate without using the net.

it is possible there is a toll free number you ring and it should only take 2-3mins because all you do is enter a different set of numbers into the telephone and it will give you a activation code.

I Pity those poor hp owners with the software reload on a split disk

when the harddrive craps you have nothing to reload.

 

you wont get a any nastys activating over the internet unless you surf the net at the same time . your computer only sends a small file to mircosofts server telling it all about its internal hardware, the chances of any nastys is nil.

or you can make a phone call to india if you wish

Done :D Connected to the Net, activated Windows and disconnected from the Net. Onwards & upwards :cool:

 

Matthew