replacing hardware reactivation of Win XP

[Rob]

I have a Dell computer that is 2 years old running Win XP. When I first got
it I took out the network card added a TV tuner and a USB wireless network
adapter. In the last 3 months I have but in a DVD burner, replacing a CD
burner, and I have added 512MB of ram. I have a newer video card I would
like to try.
Will changing the card trigger reactivation? Is the number of hardware
changes kept track of from day one? Or after so much time has passed are we
allowed to make more hardware changes? If I try this newer video card and
have to reactivate XP and the new card does not work to my liking and I
replace it with the old video card will I have to go through reactivation
again?

My copy of Win XP is a legal copy and came with the new machine.

 

[GFree]

I have a Dell computer that is 2 years old running Win XP. When I first got
it I took out the network card added a TV tuner and a USB wireless network
adapter. In the last 3 months I have but in a DVD burner, replacing a CD
burner, and I have added 512MB of ram. I have a newer video card I would
like to try.
Will changing the card trigger reactivation? Is the number of hardware
changes kept track of from day one? Or after so much time has passed are we
allowed to make more hardware changes? If I try this newer video card and
have to reactivate XP and the new card does not work to my liking and I
replace it with the old video card will I have to go through reactivation
again?

My copy of Win XP is a legal copy and came with the new machine.

IIRC, Windows XP keeps track of the number of hardware changes since
it's activated. After about four major changes it will prompt you to
reactivate it. I'm not sure what it considers "major", but regardless,
the system will only ask you for reactivation when changing hardware and
it's NOT based on anything related to time.

I don't see any need to get hyped-up about it though. People have
reported reactivation to be a very hassle-free experience (seems MS are
quite accomodating to those who have legit versions).

 

[theyak]

I have a Dell computer that is 2 years old running Win XP. When I first got
it I took out the network card added a TV tuner and a USB wireless network
adapter. In the last 3 months I have but in a DVD burner, replacing a CD
burner, and I have added 512MB of ram. I have a newer video card I would
like to try.
Will changing the card trigger reactivation? Is the number of hardware
changes kept track of from day one? Or after so much time has passed are we
allowed to make more hardware changes? If I try this newer video card and
have to reactivate XP and the new card does not work to my liking and I
replace it with the old video card will I have to go through reactivation
again?

My copy of Win XP is a legal copy and came with the new machine.

No biggie. Call the 800 number and it's taken care of.

Assuming you have a real copy, that is.

 

[Joe]

Do what you want to do and do not worry about it. I doubt you will have to
reactivate but if you do you should be able to do it online and it would
take less than a minute. It is really no hassle at all. The data base at
Microsoft that tracks the serials resets each one after about three months.
It would be very rare for a person to have to call Micro$oft to reactivate.
Joe

 

[Gilgamesh]

Do what you want to do and do not worry about it. I doubt you will have to
reactivate but if you do you should be able to do it online and it would
take less than a minute. It is really no hassle at all. The data base at
Microsoft that tracks the serials resets each one after about three
months. It would be very rare for a person to have to call Micro$oft to
reactivate.

I had to and they gave me the third degree about the hardware changes.
In fact all I had done was swap the primary/secondary roles of my CD drive
and DVD burner so I could flash the firmware.

Joe

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <[email protected]> "Gilgamesh"

I had to and they gave me the third degree about the hardware changes.
In fact all I had done was swap the primary/secondary roles of my CD drive
and DVD burner so I could flash the firmware.

In my experience it all comes down to how you deal with them. If you
phone and grumble, or go on the offensive right away, you'll get
questions.

If, on the other hand, if you're a friendly but slightly bored computer
tech, "Hey how's it going? Great... Just replaced a failed NIC for Mr
Johnson and wanted to get him up and running" they usually activate
without any hassle.