How Long Before I Can Legally Reinstall WinXP?

[Major Malfunction]

I had WinXP installed on a computer here at home. The version is a shrink
wrapped retail version (not OEM and not upgrade) of WinXP Pro. During
installation, I registered and activated the product. Unfortunately, the
computer turned out to be a bad candidate for XP, so I reformatted the drive
and installed Win2K. How long do I need to wait before I can install this
same version of WinXP Pro on another computer without running into
activation problems? I have an opportunity to buy a real nice system without
any hard drives and I'd like to reinstall the version of XP I already own
rather than buy a new version.

 

[purplehaz]

You can install it immediatly. At worst you will have to call ms and tell
them what you did and they will activate you. Takes 5 minutes. If you don't
want to make the 5 minute call then you have to wait over 120 days.

 

[null]

I had WinXP installed on a computer here at home. The version is a shrink
wrapped retail version (not OEM and not upgrade) of WinXP Pro. During
installation, I registered and activated the product. Unfortunately, the
computer turned out to be a bad candidate for XP, so I reformatted the drive
and installed Win2K. How long do I need to wait before I can install this
same version of WinXP Pro on another computer without running into
activation problems? I have an opportunity to buy a real nice system without
any hard drives and I'd like to reinstall the version of XP I already own
rather than buy a new version.

You don't have to wait, although you will very likely run into
activation issues which might require you to call Microsoft to get them
ironed out.
--
-the small one

All postings carry no guarantee or warranty, expressed or implied.
Proceed at your own risk, and perform system and data backups prior to
making changes to your system, and on a regular basis, to protect your
system.

 

[Bob S]

Bill must sit back and laugh at how he has turned the
computer masses into sniveling Microweasels.

 

[reinstall]

-----Original Message-----
I had WinXP installed on a computer here at home. The version is a shrink
wrapped retail version (not OEM and not upgrade) of WinXP Pro. During
installation, I registered and activated the product. Unfortunately, the
computer turned out to be a bad candidate for XP, so I reformatted the drive
and installed Win2K. How long do I need to wait before I can install this
same version of WinXP Pro on another computer without running into
activation problems? I have an opportunity to buy a real nice system without
any hard drives and I'd like to reinstall the version of XP I already own
rather than buy a new version.

7 years three months and eighteen days,if you live in

north america,anywhere else and it would be eight years
six months and twenty two days.

 

[TonyP]

As far as I know, there is no time limit. When you re-intall XP, you'll get
to the activation part. Try to activate it. If it doesn't work, you should
be given a phone number of someone you can call to activate it. Just tell
them why you have to re-activate.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

so I reformatted the drive and installed Win2K. How long do I need to
wait before I can install this same version of WinXP Pro on another
computer without running into activation problems?

No waiting is necessary at all. You'll probably have to activate
by voice call to an 800 number, but that's quick and easy, and
not a problem. You'll be given the number when you activate. Just
explain that you took XP off the old system and put it on the new
one.

 

[David]

I had WinXP installed on a computer here at home. The version is a
shrink wrapped retail version (not OEM and not upgrade) of WinXP Pro.
During installation, I registered and activated the product.
Unfortunately, the computer turned out to be a bad candidate for XP,
so I reformatted the drive and installed Win2K. How long do I need to
wait before I can install this same version of WinXP Pro on another
computer without running into activation problems? I have an
opportunity to buy a real nice system without any hard drives and I'd
like to reinstall the version of XP I already own rather than buy a
new version.

About as long as it takes you to put the CD in the drive and boot the
computer.

--

David

"Due to Viewer dicretion...
Graphic violence is advised"

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You needn't wait, at all. 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


Bruce Chambers

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[Alex Nichol]

I had WinXP installed on a computer here at home. The version is a shrink
wrapped retail version (not OEM and not upgrade) of WinXP Pro. During
installation, I registered and activated the product. Unfortunately, the
computer turned out to be a bad candidate for XP, so I reformatted the drive
and installed Win2K. How long do I need to wait before I can install this
same version of WinXP Pro on another computer without running into
activation problems?

You do not have to wait at all. As it is a retail copy you are entitled
to remove it from one machine (obviously done) and install on another
whenever you like. If however it is under 120 days since you last
activated, you will have to do that 'over the phone, rather than on the
net automatically. Go to
Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Activate Windows and
take the 'by phone' op[tion, it will give you a toll free number to
call, explain briefly, and swap one long number for another to type in
and check

 

[Major Malfunction]

I had WinXP installed on a computer here at home. The version is a shrink
wrapped retail version (not OEM and not upgrade) of WinXP Pro. During
installation, I registered and activated the product. Unfortunately, the
computer turned out to be a bad candidate for XP, so I reformatted the drive
and installed Win2K. How long do I need to wait before I can install this
same version of WinXP Pro on another computer without running into
activation problems?

You do not have to wait at all. As it is a retail copy you are entitled
to remove it from one machine (obviously done) and install on another
whenever you like. If however it is under 120 days since you last
activated, you will have to do that 'over the phone, rather than on the
net automatically. Go to
Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Activate Windows and
take the 'by phone' op[tion, it will give you a toll free number to
call, explain briefly, and swap one long number for another to type in
and check


The short answer is 120 days. That's the part I'm looking for. Once I had to
install XP on a system that had no internet connection and had to use the
telephone method. That is an experience I do not care to repeat, thank you
;-{) The numbers are interminable!

 

[harris1971]

personally I have just activated a copy of XP Pro (OEM) for the 4th time on
the same new PC in the last week as I keep having to have the bloody thing
reformatted
it seems there is no prob at Microsoft, as I activated it over the telephone
the first time, then reactivated it by phone the second time (but I waited
and spoke to a real person to make sure I didn't have a problem) and
activated it the 3rd and 4th times by phone with no probs

Mark

 

[Frank]

As long as it is on the same machine as many times as you want.