I bought a computer with win xp and I activated through internet.After
1 month I formatted hard disk and installed fresh win xp copy from my
friend.How I can activate again.When I tried with my original key
getting negative reply.

(E-Mail Removed) wrote:

> I bought a computer with win xp and I activated through internet.After
> 1 month I formatted hard disk and installed fresh win xp copy from my
> friend.How I can activate again.When I tried with my original key
> getting negative reply.
>

There exists the possibility that the version of Windows XP that cme
with the computer is different from the friend's version. The Product
Key is linked to the particular version of Windows XP. One alternative
would be to find another friend whose version of Windows XP matches
the one that originally came with the computer. In this case, there is
a good chance that the original Product Key will be valid. If not, there
is a legitimate cause for activation via telephone.

If the PC came with XP pre-installed, contact the PC maker for restoration
options.

They may offer an XP CD (for a price) or tell you that the hard drive has a
hidden recovery paritition and how to access it.

Or, you can use the key for your friend's copy of XP, so long as (1) he does
not have it installed on some other PC, (2) it is not an OEM version of XP
(since they can not be transferred to new hardware).


<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I bought a computer with win xp and I activated through internet.After
> 1 month I formatted hard disk and installed fresh win xp copy from my
> friend.How I can activate again.When I tried with my original key
> getting negative reply.
>

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
>I bought a computer with win xp and I activated through internet.After
> 1 month I formatted hard disk and installed fresh win xp copy from my
> friend.How I can activate again.When I tried with my original key
> getting negative reply.

You are leaving out some important details. Such as what did you buy - a
new or used computer? What version of XP, retail, OEM or Branded OEM? Why
did you reinstall with your friends copy of XP instead of with the CD or
recovery mechanism that came with your computer?

Product keys and CDs have to be of the same type. An XP Pro full retail CD
will not work with an OEM product key.

If you provided more relevant detail we could give you better advice.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]