System Backup/Restore under Win XP - XP Unlock code?

[David]

I have had my laptop a year or two now and was backing up just my own
important files using the CD writer, but now the amount of data is
making that a pain.

I want to start doing whole system backups, probably to an external
disk drive as they are so cheap, I know of a few bits of software that
will do whole system backup, but my main concern is how would I
recover my whole system in the event of a major hard disk failiure
etc?

When I got my PC it had WinXP pro already installed and came with a
Win XP pro cd which although didnt same OEM on it does say "For
distribution with a new PC only" - as I say, Ive had the laptop for a
year or two now, but I remember I had to go through some kind of
registration process to unlock the WinXP within a certain time etc.

My question is, if my hard drive fails and i buy another hard drive
for my laptop and restore everything to the new hard drive, then will
I need to do this registration process again as its on a different
hard disk?

I cant remember the registration number I origanally used, is there
any way of getting this out of my current Windows install?

....will the number be valid for a different hard drive or is the XP
licience a one hard drive only licience?


Thanks

David Bevan

http://www.davidbevan.co.uk

 

[Phil \(purplehaz\)]

See below..........

I have had my laptop a year or two now and was backing up just my own
important files using the CD writer, but now the amount of data is
making that a pain.

I want to start doing whole system backups, probably to an external
disk drive as they are so cheap, I know of a few bits of software that
will do whole system backup, but my main concern is how would I
recover my whole system in the event of a major hard disk failiure
etc?

Most backup programs have a function that allows you to recover from a
catastrophic failure, buy booting to either a floopy or a cd and then
restoring the backup. Works good and is pretty simple. Imaging software may
be what your looking for, like Acronis True Image or Drive Image.

When I got my PC it had WinXP pro already installed and came with a
Win XP pro cd which although didnt same OEM on it does say "For
distribution with a new PC only" - as I say, Ive had the laptop for a
year or two now, but I remember I had to go through some kind of
registration process to unlock the WinXP within a certain time etc.

Registration is optional, activation is mandatory and must be done within 30
days of installing the os. When you use a cd to reinstall xp you will have
to reactivate. This will be done over the internet as normal or you have to
make a phone call to ms to get activated at the very worst.

My question is, if my hard drive fails and i buy another hard drive
for my laptop and restore everything to the new hard drive, then will
I need to do this registration process again as its on a different
hard disk?

Probably, yes. As I said, it's simple and painless and most likely will go
thru the internet as normal. No big deal.

I cant remember the registration number I origanally used, is there
any way of getting this out of my current Windows install?

If you mean the product key that you need to install xp, then try the
keyfinder here:
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

...will the number be valid for a different hard drive or is the XP
licience a one hard drive only licience?

Hard drive has nothing to do with it. It's one license for one computer. And
in your case the oem license ties xp to that laptop forever, meaning it
can't be transfered to another computer. But, you can change hardware in
that computer and use the same license.