i have a few computers that are currently running poorly. I want to
reload these systems from scratch, but i also don't want to bother
reactivating windows. are there system files some where that i can save
from the current setup and reinstall to avoid having to call microsoft
and do the dance to get the 50 digit code? These are on oem installs and
once the disks are reformatted it always requires a call to microsoft
since they changed thier policy on oem licenses.

No. Every clean install requires Product Activation.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Andrew Mallette" wrote:

| i have a few computers that are currently running poorly. I want to
| reload these systems from scratch, but i also don't want to bother
| reactivating windows. are there system files some where that i can save
| from the current setup and reinstall to avoid having to call microsoft
| and do the dance to get the 50 digit code? These are on oem installs and
| once the disks are reformatted it always requires a call to microsoft
| since they changed thier policy on oem licenses.

I'll be doing the same soon. Isn't there an online (vs phone) option for
activation?

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:

> No. Every clean install requires Product Activation.
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows - Shell/User
> Microsoft Community Newsgroups
> news://msnews.microsoft.com/
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "Andrew Mallette" wrote:
>
> | i have a few computers that are currently running poorly. I want to
> | reload these systems from scratch, but i also don't want to bother
> | reactivating windows. are there system files some where that i can save
> | from the current setup and reinstall to avoid having to call microsoft
> | and do the dance to get the 50 digit code? These are on oem installs and
> | once the disks are reformatted it always requires a call to microsoft
> | since they changed thier policy on oem licenses.
>

In news:(E-Mail Removed),
Andrew Mallette <(E-Mail Removed)> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

> i have a few computers that are currently running poorly. I want to
> reload these systems from scratch, but i also don't want to bother
> reactivating windows. are there system files some where that i can
> save from the current setup and reinstall to avoid having to call
> microsoft and do the dance to get the 50 digit code? These are on oem
> installs and once the disks are reformatted it always requires a call
> to microsoft since they changed thier policy on oem licenses.

Never Reactivate:
http://kgiii.info/windows/XP/advance...eactivate.html


--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/

"A man should keep his little brain attic stocked with all the
furniture that he is likely to use, and the rest he can put away in the
lumber-room of his library where he can get it if he wants it."

Sherlock Holmes

If you do this repeatedly, might I suggest another tactic, besides those
already mentioned.

Whenever I do a new install, I activate, then IMMEDIATELY make an image copy
and store it on CD, DVD, hard drive, whatever. If I need to do a clean
install sometime down the road, rather than doing the WHOLE DAMN install
from scratch, I merely go back to the image copy! Afterall, if you do a
complete reinstall from scratch w/ the same hardware, you're only going to
end up with the same configuration anyway. So why not make an image copy
IMMEDIATELY after initial installation and activation and save yourself tons
of grief. IOW, even if the OEM install policy has changed, so what, just
circumvent the problem by making YOUR OWN restoreable image AFTER
activation. Whalla!

Just a suggestion from someone's who been doing this way for years, works
great. And not to mention, it takes far less time to restore an image than
do a complete new install. It's also nice to not have to do a complete
install AGAIN should you screw up somewhere in the process of installing
drivers, apps, whatever.

Jim


"Andrew Mallette" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> i have a few computers that are currently running poorly. I want to
> reload these systems from scratch, but i also don't want to bother
> reactivating windows. are there system files some where that i can save
> from the current setup and reinstall to avoid having to call microsoft
> and do the dance to get the 50 digit code? These are on oem installs and
> once the disks are reformatted it always requires a call to microsoft
> since they changed thier policy on oem licenses.