Question about activation of used copy of XP

[Bob Emerson]

I thought I understood all the issues regarding activation, but now I'm not
so sure. This is an issue that I have not seen discussed in this newsgroup
before.

I am considering the purchase of a used copy of the retail version of
Windows XP Home upgrade edition. This is the original version without SP1.
The current owner is going back to 98 SE because he doesn't like XP and
wants to recover some of his investment. I know it is the real thing
because he has the box with all the original contents, even the plastic
anti-theft shell. It is my understanding that this is acceptable under the
license agreement.

He has activated it several times. He also installed SP1 before the most
recent activation, which had to be done only about a week ago over the
phone. He was given a string of characters, which he also copied into a
text file.

If I purchase this from him:

1) Do I use the string they gave him over the phone to activate it?
Is this copy of XP now tied to that string of characters?

2) Does that string serve the save purpose as the product key
(activation code?) on the sleeve that the CD came in?

3) Or will I be able to do a normal web activation using the original
product key (again, not sure if that's the proper term) on the
sleeve that the CD came in?

Thanks for any info,

Bob

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

I thought I understood all the issues regarding activation, but now
I'm not
so sure. This is an issue that I have not seen discussed in this
newsgroup
before.

It's been discussed to death, but that's OK, there're a lot of old
posts to sort through.

I am considering the purchase of a used copy of the retail version
of
Windows XP Home upgrade edition. This is the original version
without SP1.
The current owner is going back to 98 SE because he doesn't like XP
and
wants to recover some of his investment. I know it is the real
thing
because he has the box with all the original contents, even the
plastic
anti-theft shell. It is my understanding that this is acceptable
under the
license agreement.

That's correct.

1) Do I use the string they gave him over the phone to activate it?
Is this copy of XP now tied to that string of characters?

No.

2) Does that string serve the save purpose as the product key
(activation code?) on the sleeve that the CD came in?

No.

3) Or will I be able to do a normal web activation using the
original
product key (again, not sure if that's the proper term) on the
sleeve that the CD came in?

You have to use the original Product Key that comes with the CD to
perform the installation. If that specific license has been activated
as recently as a week ago, it's very unlikely that you'll be able to
activate via the Internet. You'll probably have to activate via
telephone. The 42-character "activation key" given you at that time
is not a substitute for the CD's Product Key, and is only good for a
single use during activation.

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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[Steve C. Ray]

It is legal for you to do this, but you will probably have to reactivate by
phone. Do the upgrade, and see if it will activate online using the Product
Key he recently received. If not call the number displayed on your monitor
and explain that the OS is not in use on any other computer. They will give
you a new Product key.