Activate Windows on OLD computer, already activated on NEW compute

[ULguy]

I recently purchased a new windows xp home edition computer which I am in the
process of transferring data from my OLD xp home edition computer. In
reviewing what is on my old computer, I noticed that the "activate Windows"
option was there ( start, all programs, accessories, system tools, activate
Windows), whereas my NEW computer does not show this option at all.

What is going on here? Is it possible that on my 6 yr old computer windows
was never activated? And somehow it is already activated on my NEW computer?

This of course begs the question "what would happen If I "click" on
"activate windows"?". Does it matter after 6 years?

What about the new computer. How can I check to find out if it is
activated? Is it possible that builder of new computer (Tigerdirect)
activated Windows?

Finally, shouldn't activation info be related to me , the owner of computer?


I find it odd that my old computer (Home shopping network purchased in 2001,
only user) appears to have windows not activated, whereas my new computer
appears to already have windows activated.

I appreciate guidance regarding this somewhat confusing info. Thanks in
advance for all help given, THANKS!!

 

[Malke]

I recently purchased a new windows xp home edition computer which I am in the
process of transferring data from my OLD xp home edition computer. In
reviewing what is on my old computer, I noticed that the "activate Windows"
option was there ( start, all programs, accessories, system tools, activate
Windows), whereas my NEW computer does not show this option at all.

What is going on here? Is it possible that on my 6 yr old computer windows
was never activated? And somehow it is already activated on my NEW computer?

This of course begs the question "what would happen If I "click" on
"activate windows"?". Does it matter after 6 years?

What about the new computer. How can I check to find out if it is
activated? Is it possible that builder of new computer (Tigerdirect)
activated Windows?

Finally, shouldn't activation info be related to me , the owner of computer?


I find it odd that my old computer (Home shopping network purchased in 2001,
only user) appears to have windows not activated, whereas my new computer
appears to already have windows activated.

I can't answer why your old computer is showing as not activated - it
obviously must have been activated in the past. If you aren't going to
use this machine just get your data off and don't worry about it. If
you're going to use the machine you'll need to activate it again.

As for the other machine, it is usual for computers provided by system
builders like Tiger that come with the OS preinstalled to already be
activated. The system builder has a volume license and they take care of
activation by having that form of licensing. No, the activation
information has nothing to do with you in this case. If you want to
*register* with Microsoft, that's a different (and completely optional)
process.


Malke

 

[Ghostrider]

I recently purchased a new windows xp home edition computer which I am in the
process of transferring data from my OLD xp home edition computer. In
reviewing what is on my old computer, I noticed that the "activate Windows"
option was there ( start, all programs, accessories, system tools, activate
Windows), whereas my NEW computer does not show this option at all.

What is going on here? Is it possible that on my 6 yr old computer windows
was never activated? And somehow it is already activated on my NEW computer?

This of course begs the question "what would happen If I "click" on
"activate windows"?". Does it matter after 6 years?

What about the new computer. How can I check to find out if it is
activated? Is it possible that builder of new computer (Tigerdirect)
activated Windows?

Finally, shouldn't activation info be related to me , the owner of computer?


I find it odd that my old computer (Home shopping network purchased in 2001,
only user) appears to have windows not activated, whereas my new computer
appears to already have windows activated.

I appreciate guidance regarding this somewhat confusing info. Thanks in
advance for all help given, THANKS!!

Different versions of Windows, such as retail vs. OEM or unbranded
OEM vs. branded OEM, may elicit different activation requirements. For
a branded OEM version of Windows XP that is bios-locked, possibly such
as that installed in the new computer, activation was done with the
installation at the factory. This was an added capability to the original
Windows XP versions.

 

[Alias]

I recently purchased a new windows xp home edition computer which I am in the
process of transferring data from my OLD xp home edition computer. In
reviewing what is on my old computer, I noticed that the "activate Windows"
option was there ( start, all programs, accessories, system tools, activate
Windows), whereas my NEW computer does not show this option at all.

Normal. Don't worry about it.

All three of my computers have XP on them and all three have start, all
programs, accessories, system tools, activate Windows. All three
activated on line ages ago.

Your Tiger Direct was preactivated by Tiger. Hence, no activate Windows
is available.

Again, don't worry about it and, whatever you do, DON'T try to activate
your old computer again as you may regret it.

Alias

 

[Alias]

If
you're going to use the machine you'll need to activate it again.

FALSE.

Alias

 

[ULguy]

Looks like my concerns may be no big deal. However, I am hoping to eventually
install the old hard drive into my new computer as a secondary drive. Will
this "not activated" status cause me a problem down the road?

Doesn"t windows shut down or slows down if not activated within 90 days or
something? I seem to recall reading something along that line.

ULguy

 

[Script]

I recently purchased a new windows xp home edition computer which I am in the
process of transferring data from my OLD xp home edition computer. In
reviewing what is on my old computer, I noticed that the "activate Windows"
option was there ( start, all programs, accessories, system tools, activate
Windows), whereas my NEW computer does not show this option at all.

If you right-click on the "Activate Windows" entry, choose "Properties",
you'll see that it's a shortcut.
It's just a "left-over" from the install.
If you hadn't activated, you'd get a notice from your system tray.
You can right-click this shortcut and delete it, if you wish. That's
probably what Tiger Direct did to the one on your new computer, in order to
avoid confusing new users.

 

[Malke]

Looks like my concerns may be no big deal. However, I am hoping to eventually
install the old hard drive into my new computer as a secondary drive. Will
this "not activated" status cause me a problem down the road?

Doesn"t windows shut down or slows down if not activated within 90 days or
something? I seem to recall reading something along that line.

If you're just going to use the old hard drive as storage, don't even
worry about this. Just install the drive in your new computer, format
it, and there you go.

With XP, nothing will happen to the functionality of the OS if you don't
activate it. You just won't be able to get updates. Reactivating is no
big deal - it's annoying but not much work. I'd do a diagnp

 

[Malke]

Looks like my concerns may be no big deal. However, I am hoping to eventually
install the old hard drive into my new computer as a secondary drive. Will
this "not activated" status cause me a problem down the road?

Doesn"t windows shut down or slows down if not activated within 90 days or
something? I seem to recall reading something along that line.

Sorry, I hit "send" to fast - time to call it a night. ;-) I did have a
machine which had been in service for years wake up one morning and
decide it needed to be activated. There was no apparent reason for it. I
simply reactivated - was able to do it over the Internet, too - and in a
few moments it was done.

So it's really your choice as to whether you want to bother reactivating
or not.


Malke

 

[Lil' Dave]

I recently purchased a new windows xp home edition computer which I am in
the
process of transferring data from my OLD xp home edition computer. In
reviewing what is on my old computer, I noticed that the "activate
Windows"
option was there ( start, all programs, accessories, system tools,
activate
Windows), whereas my NEW computer does not show this option at all.

What is going on here? Is it possible that on my 6 yr old computer windows
was never activated? And somehow it is already activated on my NEW
computer?

This of course begs the question "what would happen If I "click" on
"activate windows"?". Does it matter after 6 years?

What about the new computer. How can I check to find out if it is
activated? Is it possible that builder of new computer (Tigerdirect)
activated Windows?

Finally, shouldn't activation info be related to me , the owner of
computer?


I find it odd that my old computer (Home shopping network purchased in
2001,
only user) appears to have windows not activated, whereas my new computer
appears to already have windows activated.

I appreciate guidance regarding this somewhat confusing info. Thanks in
advance for all help given, THANKS!!

My original installation was XP with SP1 generic OEM version, activated same
day as install. Used the SP2 installation CD from MS. Has installed all
over 100 security updates since. MS update checks the installation prior to
allowing updates to be downloaded automatically. The activation button is
still visible. I just ignore it.
Dave

 

[ULguy]

OK. Thanks everyone for your input. By the end of this month I will have the
hard drive from my old computer installed as a secondary hard drive on my
new computer (Both XP Home editions machines). I already checked several
articles related to that project. Each time I'm on here I become more
knowledgeable regarding the inner workings of my computers. Thanks Again!

ULguy