Question about activation and formatting the disk

[Guest]

hi

Ive never figured out how to handle this, am about to delete/format the disk
drive then re install Windows XP, same disk drive/computer

but when doing so at activation, it said the key was used too many times,
and I had to phone in to get another key.

my question is, is there a way to do this by going to some Microsoft website
and saying unregister this WinXP install or de activate it? so when I go to
activate it when its all installed again, the system will know?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

There is no way to deregister.
If internet activation fails, you need to select the option to
activate by phone.
Call Microsoft at the displayed number.
Normally done in less than 10 minutes.

 

[Guest]

Thanks. my system now is acting odd and the one sure way is to delete and
start over...

the disk drive light is on dim all the time and flashes bright once per
second. used to just flash once per second, dont know what its doing

I clicked some links and this one http://www.aumha.org/a/noads.php
doesnt work anymore? it said the php thing is probably outdated

thanks again

 

[Guest]

quote from Microsoft:
To be able to re-install Windows, you will have to de-activate the original
activation by calling the Microsoft Product Activation Team. Once, it is
de-activated, you will be able to install and activate it.


So Jupiter, the explanation I understood from your post seems incorrect, Im
now being told by Microsoft that indeed it can be de-activated.

kb 302806 is the description of activation

 

[Guest]

Ok now Im confused again, I called in to de-activate? and they said the only
way to de activate is to UNinstall windows XP, there is no deactivation...

either the call center doesnt know, or the email from Microsoft wasnt correct

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

There is no deactivation.
The closest thing to deactivation is removing the Windows
installation.
There is no way to contact Microsoft for deactivation.

Who ever said:
"...you will have to de-activate the original activation by calling
the Microsoft Product Activation Team."
Was mistaken.
Because of a previous installation, it may be necessary to call for
activation, but that is not the same as deactivation.