Reformat activation?

[Guest]

I just reformated my computer and installed the same copy
of windows XP Pro. Now it is asking me for the activation
but i know that you can only activated 1. What do i do?

 

[D.Currie]

I just reformated my computer and installed the same copy
of windows XP Pro. Now it is asking me for the activation
but i know that you can only activated 1. What do i do?

Activate it. You can activate as many times as you want on the same
computer.

 

[Barry Watzman]

Go ahead and reactivate. It shouldn't be a problem.

Now, a couple of notes:

1. You can use the computer for 30 days without activating.

2. No matter what, there should be NO problem if ALL that you did was
change the hard drive. But, if you changed other things as well, you
can slightly reduce your risk of problems if you keep the Volume serial
number of the new partition the same as that of the old partition (on
the old drive). This is not difficult to do, but in most cases, people
don't KNOW the VSN of their partitions. I create a text file, VSN.TXT
with this information.

 

[tc]

If it is the same computer, there is nothing wrong with activating it again.
Depending on the circumstances it may activate over the internet or you may
have to call a toll free number. Try it and see.
Terry

 

[Alex Nichol]

just reformated my computer and installed the same copy
of windows XP Pro. Now it is asking me for the activation
but i know that you can only activated 1.

Incorrect. You can activate on the same (or substantially the same)
hardware as many times as you like; what you may not do is have it
activated on more than one machine. Get on the net, go to
Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Activate Windows
and take Activate on the Internet, and it will be done in about 20
seconds

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I just reformated my computer and installed the same copy
of windows XP Pro. Now it is asking me for the activation
but i know that you can only activated 1. What do i do?

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. 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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