dasequeltocow said:
I've searched this extensively and unfortunately found nothing
I would like to completely remove Windows XP Home Edition from my
computer,
but do so in such a way that if I ever install it again on a separate
computer, I won't be nagged by the Windows Genuine Advantage tool.
And please don't hate me for using Ubuntu.
What you want to do has easy and harder parts. The easy part is simply to
use the Ubuntu installer to delete and re-create the partitions. Windows
will be well and truly gone. Or, remove the Windows drive and install a
new hard disk.
The hard part has to do with WGA, and moving the install to another system.
Unless the "separate computer" is very, very similar to the original system,
you're almost certainly going to have to do a repair install (if you
installed Ubuntu to a new drive) or a new install. You normally can't just
take the drive out and move it to another system and expect it to work. A
fresh install will have to be activated, but this isn't a problem if you
are following the license agreement. It's usually a quick, toll-free call
if you can't activate online.
Then, some of the updates that you'll have to get from that are going to
require use of WGA.
Activation won't likely be a problem if it's been some time since the last
activation (which means you can activate online), and if it isn't installed
on any other computer. There is potentially an issue if your copy of XP
is OEM and tied to your original system. If you bought a retail copy of
XP, as long as it's on only one system, activation can be done as many
times as needed. You could reinstall and activate every day, as long as
it's the same system - but after a couple of online activations, you'll have
to phone.
What is the problem you have with WGA? Or, are you confusing WGA with
activation?
HTH
-pk
