Activation Numbers

[rfdjr1]

Last week I had to repair/reinstall Windows XP Pro on my desktop. After the
installation, I came to the activation screen. I've done several
repair/reinstalls over the past two years, but this is the first time I had to
activate it again. It's my bought and paid for copy of Windows XP, and I have
the sticker with the Product Key stuck to the side of my case. As I have in the
past, I used that key, only this time it wouldn't activate, so I had to call
Microsoft and a new activation key was generated. My question is this: Should I
have to do yet another repair/reinstall in the future, will the Product Key
still be good? I didn't write down the activation key I was given by the
automated system over the phone because I was typing it into the boxes on the
screen at the time. I don't want to run into problems reinstalling if I have to
do it again. Thanks.

 

[neil]

If you don't change hardware, you can save these files "wpa.dbl" and
"wpa.bak" to a safe location and use them again after a new installation.
See
http://netsecurity.about.com/od/windowsxp/qt/aaqtwinxp0829.htm

Neil

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Last week I had to repair/reinstall Windows XP Pro on my desktop. After the
installation, I came to the activation screen. I've done several
repair/reinstalls over the past two years, but this is the first time I had to
activate it again. It's my bought and paid for copy of Windows XP, and I have
the sticker with the Product Key stuck to the side of my case. As I have in the
past, I used that key, only this time it wouldn't activate, so I had to call
Microsoft and a new activation key was generated. My question is this: Should I
have to do yet another repair/reinstall in the future, will the Product Key
still be good? I didn't write down the activation key I was given by the
automated system over the phone because I was typing it into the boxes on the
screen at the time. I don't want to run into problems reinstalling if I have to
do it again. Thanks.

a few months ago, due to the large number of pirated OEM licenses
available, Microsoft elected to force OEM licenses (that had previously
activated automatically via the Internet) from certain OEM manufacturers
to require telephone activation. It sounds like you've been caught and
inconvenienced by this less-than-idle solution to a growing problem.
(Sadly, like most such precautions - and even a great many laws, only
the honest person is inconvenienced.)

Be that as it may, it woul not have done any good to have written down
that unique 42-character activation code, you'll need a different one if
you have to re-install and activate again.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[rfdjr1]

a few months ago, due to the large number of pirated OEM licenses
available, Microsoft elected to force OEM licenses (that had previously
activated automatically via the Internet) from certain OEM manufacturers
to require telephone activation. It sounds like you've been caught and
inconvenienced by this less-than-idle solution to a growing problem.
(Sadly, like most such precautions - and even a great many laws, only
the honest person is inconvenienced.)

Be that as it may, it woul not have done any good to have written down
that unique 42-character activation code, you'll need a different one if
you have to re-install and activate again.

When I bought the components for this PC I built last year (board, processor,
hard drive, RAM), I bought a copy of Windows XP Pro from the store I do business
with, and which has been in town at least the past fourteen years, so it's not a
fly-by-night operation. I got my first PC from them in 1991. So does this make
it an OEM copy of Windows? I thought I was doing the right thing purchasing it.
Not so? And when I did the reinstall, I was actually given an option to activate
online, but when I tried to do so, I couldn't get a connectio to the internet
for some reason. Couldn't figure that one out since I have cable and the modem
was hooked up. That's why I called by phone. ???

 

[Bruce Chambers]

When I bought the components for this PC I built last year (board, processor,
hard drive, RAM), I bought a copy of Windows XP Pro from the store I do business
with, and which has been in town at least the past fourteen years, so it's not a
fly-by-night operation. I got my first PC from them in 1991. So does this make
it an OEM copy of Windows?

Maybe, maybe not. In such a situation, you could easily have purchased
either a retail or an OEM license. When you said that the CoA was
affixed to the side of your computer, I took it to mean that you
initially had a factory-installed OEM installation. What does the
installation CD say? Does it say, "For distribution with a new PC only.
For product support, contact the manufacturer of your PC?" If so, you
have an OEM license.

I thought I was doing the right thing purchasing it.
Not so?

There's nothing to indicate that you've made any mistake. If you did
purchase an OEM license, you saved a substantial amount of money. The
only reason I avoid OEM licenses is their lack of transferability.

And when I did the reinstall, I was actually given an option to activate
online, but when I tried to do so, I couldn't get a connectio to the internet
for some reason. Couldn't figure that one out since I have cable and the modem
was hooked up. That's why I called by phone. ???

Ah! From the wording of your original post, I had concluded that
Internet Activation had failed, not that you were simply unable to
obtain a connection, at all. That puts an entirely different complexion
on the matter. Since you're clearly connecting to the Internet now, I'd
have to conclude that you just happened to try activating during one of
the servers busy periods.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[rfdjr1]

Maybe, maybe not. In such a situation, you could easily have purchased
either a retail or an OEM license. When you said that the CoA was
affixed to the side of your computer, I took it to mean that you
initially had a factory-installed OEM installation. What does the
installation CD say? Does it say, "For distribution with a new PC only.
For product support, contact the manufacturer of your PC?" If so, you
have an OEM license.




There's nothing to indicate that you've made any mistake. If you did
purchase an OEM license, you saved a substantial amount of money. The
only reason I avoid OEM licenses is their lack of transferability.




Ah! From the wording of your original post, I had concluded that
Internet Activation had failed, not that you were simply unable to
obtain a connection, at all. That puts an entirely different complexion
on the matter. Since you're clearly connecting to the Internet now, I'd
have to conclude that you just happened to try activating during one of
the servers busy periods.

You're right. I just checked the disk itself and it says "For distribution with
a new PC only". And I did save money, as they sold me the O/S for $150, which is
a lot less than a full version from, say, CompUSA.

So, bottom line is, will I have problems in the future trying to use this disk
on ths same system if need be? I only have one other computer, my laptop, and
that had Windows XP Home Version installed from Dell. Thanks again for the
useful info.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

You're right. I just checked the disk itself and it says "For distribution with
a new PC only". And I did save money, as they sold me the O/S for $150, which is
a lot less than a full version from, say, CompUSA.

So, bottom line is, will I have problems in the future trying to use this disk
on ths same system if need be?

No, you shouldn't have any problems. There's no limit to the number of
times you can reinstall and activate the same WinXP license on the same
PC. Nor is there ever a charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as
it's not an evaluation license) ever expire. If it's been more than 120
days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most
likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's
been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm

I only have one other computer, my laptop, and
that had Windows XP Home Version installed from Dell. Thanks again for the
useful info.

You're welcome.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[rfdjr1]

No, you shouldn't have any problems. There's no limit to the number of
times you can reinstall and activate the same WinXP license on the same
PC. Nor is there ever a charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as
it's not an evaluation license) ever expire. If it's been more than 120
days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most
likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's
been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm




You're welcome.

Thanks for all the help. It's greatly appreciated.