Installed, Activated, and then Uninstalled

[Rodney Cooper]

At least a year ago I was given windows xp home edition as a gift. I
installed it and activated it. However the problems began almost immediately
and continued to worsen. I was told that the problem was my old computer. So
I reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled windows 98. I am now thinking of
building a new computer and using the XP I received as a gift. However I
have been told that since I activated xp on my old computer I can not use it
on my new computer. Even though I only used xp for a week or so before I
removed it. Can someone tell me if this is true?

Thanks Rodney

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Rodney;
As long as it is no longer installed on the old computer there will be
no problem.
Install Windows XP normally.
Attempt activation by internet.
On the slight chance internet activation fails, choose the option to
activate by phone.
Call the displayed number, done in about 5 minutes.

The above does not apply if Windows XP is OEM.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi Rodney

It would depend on what kind of CD you have. If it is an OEM version, then,
no you won't be able to use it on another PC. If it is a Retail version,
then, yes you can. As the hardware will probably be different to the one it
was originally installed on you may have to 'phone Microsoft for a new ID
code.

--

Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups


| At least a year ago I was given windows xp home edition as a gift. I
| installed it and activated it. However the problems began almost
immediately
| and continued to worsen. I was told that the problem was my old computer.
So
| I reformatted my hard drive and reinstalled windows 98. I am now thinking
of
| building a new computer and using the XP I received as a gift. However I
| have been told that since I activated xp on my old computer I can not use
it
| on my new computer. Even though I only used xp for a week or so before I
| removed it. Can someone tell me if this is true?
|
| Thanks Rodney
|
|

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not transferable),
having removed WinXP from the computer it was first used on, you can
install it onto the new one. 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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