XP activation ?

[Motor T]

If I change out my hard drive does it have to be the same name, i.e.
WD, Seagate, Samsung etc.? Or is it only the size that counts when
activating Windows XP? TIA.

 

[Paul]

If I change out my hard drive does it have to be the same name, i.e.
WD, Seagate, Samsung etc.? Or is it only the size that counts when
activating Windows XP? TIA.

Amongst other items in the hardware hash, are these two.

http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

* Hard Drive Device
* Hard Drive Volume Serial Number (VSN)

Hard drives have model number and serial number information physically,
and it would be a bit difficult to "fake" the first item.
The second item, not so much. Any number written to disk
as part of installation or preparation, that can be faked.

This utility can put back a volume ID. If you're restoring from
backup, there's a chance the same number is used again.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/bb897436

The only time I've had to re-activate here, is when changing
the motherboard. Just because those items sit in a list,
doesn't mean they have the same weight. Some will be
more important than others. The Aumha article just scratches
the surface. At least the article gives you some idea what
items are monitored, and that each has a vote.

Paul

 

[Motor T]

If you clone the drive to a replacement, no re-activation should be
needed.

I should have been a little more precise about my intentions. It is
my plan to use the drive as a clone in case of disasters. Thanks for
the answer.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

If I change out my hard drive does it have to be the same name, i.e.
WD, Seagate, Samsung etc.?

No.


Or is it only the size that counts when
activating Windows XP? TIA.

It doesn't have to be the same size either. You may have to
reactivate, but you are permitted to do so, and doing it is easy and
not a problem.