re-installing Win XP home

[Guest]

I've run into some problems recently and wanted to re-format my computer and
re-install windows XP...however my concern is I've already registered my
product code key and I am afraid that after i re-install windows, my code key
will no longer be valid...any ideas what to do? or would i have to talk to a
microsoft rep personally?

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

I've run into some problems recently and wanted to re-format my computer
and
re-install windows XP...however my concern is I've already registered my
product code key and I am afraid that after i re-install windows, my code
key
will no longer be valid...any ideas what to do? or would i have to talk to
a
microsoft rep personally?

Just reinstall.
Then try and activate over the Internet - if this fails just follow the
onscreen instructions to activate via telephone - this should not be a
problem.

--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[GasMan]

Try this as Activating by telephone is pain.

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1151566,00.asp

I've run into some problems recently and wanted to re-format my computer and
re-install windows XP...however my concern is I've already registered my
product code key and I am afraid that after i re-install windows, my code key
will no longer be valid...any ideas what to do? or would i have to talk to a
microsoft rep personally?

Please remove obvious from email address if emailing.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I've run into some problems recently and wanted to re-format my
computer and re-install windows XP...however my concern is I've
already registered my product code key and I am afraid that after i
re-install windows, my code key will no longer be valid...any ideas
what to do? or would i have to talk to a microsoft rep personally?

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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