CD Key no good?

[dreamtfk]

Ok I have WindowsXP which I have had to reinstall on my computer many times for various reasons. When trying to activate XP I am receiving a message stating that the cd key has been used too many times.

How do I get around this? I really dont feel like calling Microjoke. :rolleyes:

[Deathknight]

Only way I know of is to call M$. I have encountered this before and even though I did not relish the idea of calling them it was pretty painless. "Why are you installing this?". "Is this the same machine you bought it with". Similar to the stupid security questions they ask at the airport. Takes like 2 minutes then they give you a new key.

[dreamtfk]

You wouldn't happen to have that number handy would you? :D

[pik4chu]

when you try to activate and it fails it will give you a number to call ;)

[Tawcan]

Yep the only way to get by this is to call them.

[dreamtfk]

Dam. Ok thanks guys.

[mrgreenjeans]

You've got to complete the installation, then it'll kick out a machine configuration code and a number to call. If you don't have the config code, you can't activate. The couple of times I've done it has been really painless, less than five minutes total.