XP Pro Activation

[buzz]

Hi all,

I had an issue this past week and decided to format my
HD. Everything went smoothly, and I activated my copy of
windows using my same CD key that I did when I first
installed it.

After a couple days, and a smaller wallet, I decided to
upgrade my HD and put my same copy of XP pro on it.
Everything went smoothly, however when I went to activate
it, I got a message saying I had installed as many times
as I could, and could not activate it with that key. I'm
not even using my old HD with windows on it.

Funny thing is, I have done several reformats in the
past, on the same HD, loading the same copy of XP pro
with the same key. Never had a problem like this until I
upgraded the HD.

Now, XP isn't removed from the old HD. If I were to plug
it in and reformat it but not install a OS, just use it
for extra storage, would it recognize that the copy of XP
pro is gone and let me use my key to activate windows?

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

See if the following article helps:

"Windows Product Activation (WPA) on Windows XP"
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


| Hi all,
|
| I had an issue this past week and decided to format my
| HD. Everything went smoothly, and I activated my copy of
| windows using my same CD key that I did when I first
| installed it.
|
| After a couple days, and a smaller wallet, I decided to
| upgrade my HD and put my same copy of XP pro on it.
| Everything went smoothly, however when I went to activate
| it, I got a message saying I had installed as many times
| as I could, and could not activate it with that key. I'm
| not even using my old HD with windows on it.
|
| Funny thing is, I have done several reformats in the
| past, on the same HD, loading the same copy of XP pro
| with the same key. Never had a problem like this until I
| upgraded the HD.
|
| Now, XP isn't removed from the old HD. If I were to plug
| it in and reformat it but not install a OS, just use it
| for extra storage, would it recognize that the copy of XP
| pro is gone and let me use my key to activate windows?

 

[Greg R]

Try this

This was from a Microsoft website, but I modified for home and pro
users.

Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current
Version\WPAEvents

In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.
Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.

Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK.
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to
activate Windows, and then click Next. Click Change Product key.
Type the same product key you use to install windows xp in the New key
boxes, and then click Update. If you are returned to the previous
window, click Remind me later, and then restart the computer

Activate Windows.
Restart Computer
Check to see if windows is activated
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK.
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
Click OK.

Xp Oem preinstalled systems may not activate. So repeat above, then
use the product key on the back of your system instead. Then
Activate.

Greg R
Excerpts were from this page but modified for the home & pro users
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;328874

 

[kurttrail]

Hi all,

I had an issue this past week and decided to format my
HD. Everything went smoothly, and I activated my copy of
windows using my same CD key that I did when I first
installed it.

After a couple days, and a smaller wallet, I decided to
upgrade my HD and put my same copy of XP pro on it.
Everything went smoothly, however when I went to activate
it, I got a message saying I had installed as many times
as I could, and could not activate it with that key. I'm
not even using my old HD with windows on it.

Funny thing is, I have done several reformats in the
past, on the same HD, loading the same copy of XP pro
with the same key. Never had a problem like this until I
upgraded the HD.

Now, XP isn't removed from the old HD. If I were to plug
it in and reformat it but not install a OS, just use it
for extra storage, would it recognize that the copy of XP
pro is gone and let me use my key to activate windows?

It's the addition of the new hard drive. To activate, CHOOSE THE PHONE
ACTIVATION OPTION!

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[buzz]

This is legitimate?

Not something considered illegal or against the license
contract?

 

[Greg R]

Buzz,

If that was the case. It would not be on Microsoft website.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;328874


Replacing a hard drive does not go against the license. Oem or
otherwise.

Greg R

 

[Alex Nichol]

I had an issue this past week and decided to format my
HD. Everything went smoothly, and I activated my copy of
windows using my same CD key that I did when I first
installed it.

After a couple days, and a smaller wallet, I decided to
upgrade my HD and put my same copy of XP pro on it.
Everything went smoothly, however when I went to activate
it, I got a message saying I had installed as many times
as I could, and could not activate it with that key. I'm
not even using my old HD with windows on it.

Funny thing is, I have done several reformats in the
past, on the same HD, loading the same copy of XP pro
with the same key. Never had a problem like this until I
upgraded the HD.

Read up at www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

You have changed other categories of hardware in the past. Now you have
changed two more - the actual hard drive and the 'volume serial number'
on it. If you had taken action in advance you could have saved that
number and re-used it; it is too late now. The result is to make it
look like a different machine, and you are not allowed to install a copy
on more than one

Go to Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Activate
Windows and use the option to activate by phone. You will be given a
toll free number to call, may be asked to explain (that a succession of
hardware changes have been made, ending in a format) and have to read
out and check one long number, to receive another to type in. Takes
maybe up to 10 minutes