Reformatting hard drive and clean XP installation

[Troy]

I want to reformat my hard drive to enhance system
performance, and generally clean things up. I have all the
original CDs that with my system (a Dell Inspiron
desktop), including the XP CDs.

I understand that the activation code associated with XP
won't work after I've reformatted the hard drive, and that
I'll have to get a new activation code from Microsoft
within 30 days.

Is this correct? If so, will there be a cost associated
with this? (Like waiting on the phone, with per-minute
charges?)

Is there an easy workaround for this, or a good
alternative to erasing the drive?

Thanks for any advice. Troy

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You seem to have been misinformed.
The Product Key attached to your computer will work forever as long as
the hardware is the same.
Check with Dell about the limitations, usually only the motherboard.

Worst case from a Clean Installation is a five minute call to
Microsoft.
If the call is necessary, the correct number for your region will be
displayed on the screen.
There is no charge for this.

Clean Installation:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm
This may not apply to your Dell, check your manual and/or contact Dell
for details.

 

[dude]

If you have a dell computer then your windows is
preinstall which means when buying a brand name computer
like your windows is installed automatically ... If you
have all the disks that dell gave you then look for one
that says recovery disk this is how you reformat your
machine ... If you can call dell and ask them for help
they might but if not look at your manual its all there
in how to do it ... Its not really hard to do but i know
for your first time it might look difficult but it real
ain't ... I would suggested you try this website for tech
help below because microsoft doesn't give much help on
perinstall stuff

http://discussions.virtualdr.com/