Registration of Windows XP Home

[Guest]

I recently received a computer without an operating system thinking that I
could install MY copy of windows xp, which I previously installed on a
computer that died. After installing it, it says that I must register my
copy to Microsoft. I believe that I already did with the computer that died.
Is there a way to get around this, for I only have 1 copy of XP, which was
installed already. If not, what happens when your computer stops working?
Do you have to buy a new copy of WIndows XP?

 

[andy smart]

I recently received a computer without an operating system thinking that I
could install MY copy of windows xp, which I previously installed on a
computer that died. After installing it, it says that I must register my
copy to Microsoft. I believe that I already did with the computer that died.
Is there a way to get around this, for I only have 1 copy of XP, which was
installed already. If not, what happens when your computer stops working?
Do you have to buy a new copy of WIndows XP?

Try registering it (on the phone if needs be rather than by web) - they
might be OK with it...

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

I recently received a computer without an operating system thinking that I
could install MY copy of windows xp, which I previously installed on a
computer that died. After installing it, it says that I must register my
copy to Microsoft. I believe that I already did with the computer that died.
Is there a way to get around this, for I only have 1 copy of XP, which was
installed already. If not, what happens when your computer stops working?
Do you have to buy a new copy of WIndows XP?

Re-register. There is no legal issue here.
"Frequently Asked Questions about Microsoft Product Activation"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302878)

 

[T. Waters]

I recently received a computer without an operating system thinking
that I could install MY copy of windows xp, which I previously
installed on a computer that died. After installing it, it says that
I must register my copy to Microsoft. I believe that I already did
with the computer that died. Is there a way to get around this, for
I only have 1 copy of XP, which was installed already. If not, what
happens when your computer stops working? Do you have to buy a new
copy of WIndows XP?

 

[T. Waters]

Questions:
What exactly does the message say? Register (just ignore) or Activate?
XP installed on a new machine needs to be activated. No big deal, just do it
before 30 days over the Internet.
You do not have to buy a new copy of XP!
If your copy is working, simply activate it and get on with life.
If this did not address your issues, please post back.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Regisrtation is "always" optional! Activation is always required!
You can activate (and re-activate) XP hundreds of times!

Only limitation: If the XP is an OEM version, you can only use it on the
first machine you installed it on. It is forever tied to this PC.

 

[Stephane Gagnon]

You can still manage to activate it if it's OEM. Just call Microsoft, and
tell them you had to reformat your computer. They might ask if it's
installed on more than 2 computers, but in your case it's not.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I recently received a computer without an operating system thinking that I
could install MY copy of windows xp, which I previously installed on a
computer that died. After installing it, it says that I must register my
copy to Microsoft. I believe that I already did with the computer that died.
Is there a way to get around this, for I only have 1 copy of XP, which was
installed already. If not, what happens when your computer stops working?
Do you have to buy a new copy of WIndows XP?

Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not legitimately
transferable), simply remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on
(a moot point if the old PC is, in fact, defunct) and then install it on
the new computer. If it's been more than 120 days since you last
activated that specific Product Key, the 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

Registration is, as always, entirely optional.


--

Bruce Chambers

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