- Joined
- Sep 26, 2002
- Location
- Indianapolis, IN
windows xp activation - there is no expiration/limited number of activations!
i have seen hundreds upon hundreds of threads about people being unable to re-activate their windows xp.
when windows will not automatically re-activate itself, this is because the present hardware has changed significantly since your first activation.
first of all, try to activate over the internet. this is the quickest way and is the "normal" way that everybody knows how to activate windows.
it is up to you whether you register with microsoft or not, as it makes no difference in the activation process.
if your key can't be used to activate windows over the internet, you will see a box like this:
all you need to do to get around this is to click on the box that says "Telephone".
then you will get a screen that looks like this:
the activation wizard generates a new installation id which is basically an id based on your hardware.
simply select your country from the drop down box and a toll-free number will appear for you to call.
call up that number and there will be an automatic system that will take your call. you need to give that system your installation id and it will tell you it can't activate your copy of windows and to stay on the line to talk to a microsoft rep.
then all you need to do is explain that you are re-installing windows after some hardware changes and a fresh install. they will then ask how many computers you have this copy of winxp installed on and as long as it is only 1, they will read you a confirmation code to enter into your computer which will complete the activation and you will be good to go.
so no, you do not need to buy a new license. this is just a security measure to ensure that you aren't mass installing a single copy of windows xp.
*edit: moved images to my webserver*
i have seen hundreds upon hundreds of threads about people being unable to re-activate their windows xp.
when windows will not automatically re-activate itself, this is because the present hardware has changed significantly since your first activation.
first of all, try to activate over the internet. this is the quickest way and is the "normal" way that everybody knows how to activate windows.
it is up to you whether you register with microsoft or not, as it makes no difference in the activation process.
if your key can't be used to activate windows over the internet, you will see a box like this:
all you need to do to get around this is to click on the box that says "Telephone".
then you will get a screen that looks like this:
the activation wizard generates a new installation id which is basically an id based on your hardware.
simply select your country from the drop down box and a toll-free number will appear for you to call.
call up that number and there will be an automatic system that will take your call. you need to give that system your installation id and it will tell you it can't activate your copy of windows and to stay on the line to talk to a microsoft rep.
then all you need to do is explain that you are re-installing windows after some hardware changes and a fresh install. they will then ask how many computers you have this copy of winxp installed on and as long as it is only 1, they will read you a confirmation code to enter into your computer which will complete the activation and you will be good to go.
so no, you do not need to buy a new license. this is just a security measure to ensure that you aren't mass installing a single copy of windows xp.
*edit: moved images to my webserver*
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