[H] XP Repair install issue

[Thane Sherrington]

I've run into this twice recently.  Windows XP has gotten damaged 
(one had some minor infections, the other had none) but some 
components don't work, so after an SFC, I tried a repair install.  In 
both cases, the repair install went perfectly, but on the first boot, 
right after login, Windows says that it needs to be activated 
immediately.  I click "Yes" to do that, and then the screen just sits 
at the wallpaper, and nothing more seems to happen (though the 
machine isn't locked up, as I can move the mouse and the num lock 
button works.)  Anyone run into this and have any solutions/suggestions?

T