product key problem after format

[Guest]

hi, i done a formate of my hard drive and now im having trubble with my
product key. when i fill out the "activate windows" pop up it comes up with
the following -

according to our records, the number of times you can activate windows with
this product key has been exceeded, please enter a different product key then
click ok.

the product key i am using is the same one that is on the sticker that is on
my computer.
am i doing something worng as this is the first time i have used this
product key.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

hi, i done a formate of my hard drive and now im having trubble
with my product key. when i fill out the "activate windows" pop up
it comes up with the following -

according to our records, the number of times you can activate
windows with this product key has been exceeded, please enter a
different product key then click ok.

the product key i am using is the same one that is on the sticker
that is on my computer.
am i doing something worng as this is the first time i have used
this product key.

No.
Activate by phone instead.
It just means you probably activated this license in the last 120 days over
the Internet.

 

[Guest]

ok, just phoned them, all sorted thanks

 

[Jonny]

Nice talking to yourself, ala reply to your OP.
Address Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP's reply instead.

 

[Leythos]

ok, just phoned them, all sorted thanks

If you don't mind, how long did the phone activation process take and
was the person helping you polite?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

hi, i done a formate of my hard drive and now im having trubble with my
product key. when i fill out the "activate windows" pop up it comes up with
the following -

according to our records, the number of times you can activate windows with
this product key has been exceeded, please enter a different product key then
click ok.

the product key i am using is the same one that is on the sticker that is on
my computer.
am i doing something worng as this is the first time i have used this
product key.

The error message you received is misleading. What it really means
is that you've activated "via the Internet too many times within the
last 120 days." I think Microsoft should fix this message, but it is,
in reality, a relatively minor "cosmetic" issue, so they're probably
giving more weight to some silly cost-benefit analysis more than they
are their customers' confusion.

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


--

Bruce Chambers

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