Want to re-format hard drive ... Do I need to use a new Product Key?

[Guest]

My dad got an MSDN subscription and it came with a handful of XP Pro licenses (all using the same key, however). I think in total it included 5 or 6 licenses but I'm not sure exactly.

I am getting a new computer and I want to reformat my old HD and reinstall XP before I give it to my brother as it easier than going through and removing all of my data and it always seems to run best when it has a "fresh" OS anyway. BUT I don't want to use up another license, after all it is the same computer, same HD.

If I re-register XP on the same old computer will it "use up" another licence? In other words, is there any hardware ID that is sent in each time a license is registered (maybe the IP or some kind of ID from the HD or motherboard or something?). Or is it based on the person's name? Or is it a simple matter of the product key being sent and recorded and counted toward the number of licenses allotted for that key?

I wish the windows installation CD had a utility that would essentially reinstall the OS on top of it's self and erase all of the user data and installed components, resulting essentially a "clean install" but retain registration info - instead of simply the repair utility and a the complete new install utility where you have to re-register.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

You may be better off directing this question directly to MSDN. Your dad should have received a contact email address with his Subscription.

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User


| My dad got an MSDN subscription and it came with a handful of XP Pro licenses (all using the same key, however). I think in total it included 5 or 6 licenses but I'm not sure exactly.
|
| I am getting a new computer and I want to reformat my old HD and reinstall XP before I give it to my brother as it easier than going through and removing all of my data and it always seems to run best when it has a "fresh" OS anyway. BUT I don't want to use up another license, after all it is the same computer, same HD.
|
| If I re-register XP on the same old computer will it "use up" another licence? In other words, is there any hardware ID that is sent in each time a license is registered (maybe the IP or some kind of ID from the HD or motherboard or something?). Or is it based on the person's name? Or is it a simple matter of the product key being sent and recorded and counted toward the number of licenses allotted for that key?
|
| I wish the windows installation CD had a utility that would essentially reinstall the OS on top of it's self and erase all of the user data and installed components, resulting essentially a "clean install" but retain registration info - instead of simply the repair utility and a the complete new install utility where you have to re-register.
|

 

[Kelly]

Hi Brian,

It came with 10. As for the many other questions, the answers can be
obtained via his paperwork, site contacts, etc. Other than that:

Frequently Asked Questions about Microsoft Product Activation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=302878

My dad got an MSDN subscription and it came with a handful of XP Pro

licenses (all using the same key, however). I think in total it included 5
or 6 licenses but I'm not sure exactly.

I am getting a new computer and I want to reformat my old HD and reinstall

XP before I give it to my brother as it easier than going through and
removing all of my data and it always seems to run best when it has a
"fresh" OS anyway. BUT I don't want to use up another license, after all it
is the same computer, same HD.

If I re-register XP on the same old computer will it "use up" another

licence? In other words, is there any hardware ID that is sent in each time
a license is registered (maybe the IP or some kind of ID from the HD or
motherboard or something?). Or is it based on the person's name? Or is it
a simple matter of the product key being sent and recorded and counted
toward the number of licenses allotted for that key?

I wish the windows installation CD had a utility that would essentially

reinstall the OS on top of it's self and erase all of the user data and
installed components, resulting essentially a "clean install" but retain
registration info - instead of simply the repair utility and a the complete
new install utility where you have to re-register.

 

[Kelly]

Well said, Will.




Hi

You may be better off directing this question directly to MSDN. Your dad
should have received a contact email address with his Subscription.

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User


| My dad got an MSDN subscription and it came with a handful of XP Pro
licenses (all using the same key, however). I think in total it included 5
or 6 licenses but I'm not sure exactly.
|
| I am getting a new computer and I want to reformat my old HD and reinstall
XP before I give it to my brother as it easier than going through and
removing all of my data and it always seems to run best when it has a
"fresh" OS anyway. BUT I don't want to use up another license, after all it
is the same computer, same HD.
|
| If I re-register XP on the same old computer will it "use up" another
licence? In other words, is there any hardware ID that is sent in each time
a license is registered (maybe the IP or some kind of ID from the HD or
motherboard or something?). Or is it based on the person's name? Or is it
a simple matter of the product key being sent and recorded and counted
toward the number of licenses allotted for that key?
|
| I wish the windows installation CD had a utility that would essentially
reinstall the OS on top of it's self and erase all of the user data and
installed components, resulting essentially a "clean install" but retain
registration info - instead of simply the repair utility and a the complete
new install utility where you have to re-register.
|