Activation after reinstalling

[Guest]

I'm thinking about reformatting my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP Home
on it to clear out all the junk I don't use, or any viruses on it. I
basically want to start over with a fresh copy of windows. Anyway, when I
reformat the hard drive I will have to reactivate my copy of windows, won't
I? Do I need to call microsoft to deactivate the one I"m currently using, or
will my old activation be wiped clean when I activate the product for the
second time on the same system?

 

[Ron Martell]

I'm thinking about reformatting my hard drive and reinstall Windows XP Home
on it to clear out all the junk I don't use, or any viruses on it. I
basically want to start over with a fresh copy of windows. Anyway, when I
reformat the hard drive I will have to reactivate my copy of windows, won't
I? Do I need to call microsoft to deactivate the one I"m currently using, or
will my old activation be wiped clean when I activate the product for the
second time on the same system?

Yes you will have to reactivate your copy of Windows after the
reformat and reinstall.

You do not have to do anything with regards to "deactivating" your
current install.

If it has been at least 120 days since you last activated that copy of
Windows XP there should be no difficulties whatever, as the activation
database is purged by Microsoft after 120 days.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."