Reinstalling XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter wjs
  • Start date Start date
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wjs

A couple of years ago I upgraded from Millenium to XP and
kept FAT file system. Of course, performance has been
horrible. I want to ininstall XP, with a hard drive
reformat this time.

I know that XP has tight security about using the same
product key more than once on a different computer. I'm
assuming that my product key is associated with a MAC
address or something in MS Database and they will let me
reinstall on the same computer. Can someone verify that
I'm correct?
 
Yes, you may reinstall Windows XP as many times as you
wish on the same computer, using the same Product Key.

Clean Install Windows XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


|A couple of years ago I upgraded from Millenium to XP and
| kept FAT file system. Of course, performance has been
| horrible. I want to ininstall XP, with a hard drive
| reformat this time.
|
| I know that XP has tight security about using the same
| product key more than once on a different computer. I'm
| assuming that my product key is associated with a MAC
| address or something in MS Database and they will let me
| reinstall on the same computer. Can someone verify that
| I'm correct?
 
In
wjs said:
A couple of years ago I upgraded from Millenium to XP and
kept FAT file system. Of course, performance has been
horrible.
Click to expand...


"Of course"? Why "of course"?

I want to ininstall XP, with a hard drive
reformat this time.
Click to expand...


Do you expect that that will improve performance? Although it
might, there's no particular reason to expect that. There are
many possible reasons for poor performance. Before reinstalling,
why don't you start exploration of those reasons by telling us
your hardware configuration--particularly what processor you have
and how much RAM.

I know that XP has tight security about using the same
product key more than once on a different computer. I'm
assuming that my product key is associated with a MAC
address or something in MS Database and they will let me
reinstall on the same computer. Can someone verify that
I'm correct?
Click to expand...


You can reinstall on the same computer or on a different one
(assuming that yours is a retail copy, not an OEM one). The only
restriction is that you can not have it on two machines at once.

No, the product key isn't directly associated with a MAC address,
but it doesn't matter. If you reinstall cleanly, you will have to
reactivate, but that's not a problem. Since it's been over 120
days, you will be able to activate over the internet just as you
did the first time (if it had been fewer than 120 days, you'd
have to do it by a quick easy voice call). Either way, it's easy.
 
wjs said:
A couple of years ago I upgraded from Millenium to XP and
kept FAT file system. Of course, performance has been
horrible. I want to ininstall XP, with a hard drive
reformat this time.

I know that XP has tight security about using the same
product key more than once on a different computer. I'm
assuming that my product key is associated with a MAC
address or something in MS Database and they will let me
reinstall on the same computer.
Click to expand...

Read my page on Activation at www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm
Note the hint in Format Hard drive, but presuming you have not activated
it afresh in over 120 days, all you will need do after the new install
is get on the net, run
Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Activate Windows
and do it once more over the Internet

FAT 32 does not necessarily result in horrible performance: what usually
does is getting the machine clogged with too many programs all loading
at boot, probably without your realising
 
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