I just got a Toughbook on Ebay. It did not come pre-activated. When I try to insert the product key underneath the computer (XP PRO Volume License) it does not accept it. I can't hack it because I can't even get into safe mode. I don't want to reinstall the system because of driver issues. Is there any way of removing the hard drive and inserting or changing something with out booting the system? Thanks guys
if you boot to Safe Mode only, you should be able to log in. you'd be prompted for activation if you boot as per normal, or Safe Mode with Networking
Hello I have a Toughbook CF19 Mk1 i buy like you on ebay . When i received XP won't start and shutdown . I put HDD on my Laptop and recover all data with GetDataBack and all befaore all data that i can read ... Windows Folder is very very important . I install with USB stick XP Pro VLK because like you serial on the toughbook don't work and after i go on this Topic for convert my XP Vlk to OEM . I search the link for you know files to recover . For other Help like software and Hardware go to Notebookreview
there are a handful of xp pro license types (vlk, msdn, retail, oem). to use the coa key on the bottom of the laptop, you need the operating system to have been installed using the oem installation media. (oem keys will not work on installs done using vlk, msdn and retail product keys).
to bypass windows product activation, you need to choose safe mode without networking. if you choose safe mode with networking, wpa will still be active and require you to activate before you can login.
that toughbook should have the "MEI_CF" string present in the bios for windows xp oem slp activation. many of the toughbook cf-19's will also have a slic 2.0 in the bios for windows vista activation too.