Activation question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Peter Kaufman
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Peter Kaufman

Hi,

I recently re-installed XP on completely different hardware and was
surprised that re-activation was accepted without calling MS.

Is there a certain amount of re-installs that are allowed on different
hardware, or a length of time after which this is allowed without the
hassle of calling in?

Thanks,

Peter
 
Hi Peter,

Once an activation is 120 days old, the record of it is wiped from the
database (could you imagine the amount of data storage that would be needed
otherwise?). If you reinstall 120 days after the original installation, it
should act just like a new installation as there is nothing to compare it
against.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Peter Kaufman said:
Hi,

I recently re-installed XP on completely different hardware and was
surprised that re-activation was accepted without calling MS.

Is there a certain amount of re-installs that are allowed on different
hardware, or a length of time after which this is allowed without the
hassle of calling in?

Thanks,

Peter
Click to expand...

It is more than likely because it was more than 120 days since that same disk was used as an installation media. MS keeps the hardware hash download from the installation of XP for 120 days, then it is purged from their system(s).

Just to add, if your disk is/was retail, you may be breaking the EULA (agreement) having it on two machines at the same time for use. If it is/was an OEM, then by the EULA, you are breaking the terms of the EULA by installing it on another machine (even if you removed it from the previous machine) as OEM version stay on the first PC it was installed, even if that PC dies, so does the disk with it.

If your disk is a retail version, you are OK, as long as it was removed from the other PC.
 
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