Unsure If I'll Be Able To Reactivate XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dustin
  • Start date Start date
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Dustin

Hello

I recentily had a problem of the computer not being able to
find the OS at all and I had to reinstall Windows. This is
around the 4th or 5th time I've had to do this, but XP has
only been on two computers so far (but only one computer at
a time).

The thing is... I am not sure if I will be able to
reactivate after doing it this many times. It is a legit
upgrade copy of XP I purschased at a retail store. I really
do not feel like staying on the phone waiting for MS Tech
Support just to be told I cannot reactivate it.

I think there is really no reason why I can't. The comptuer
couldnt find Windows and I had to reinstall it.

Will I still be able to reactivate XP?
 
Greetings --

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
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH
 
Dustin said:
I recentily had a problem of the computer not being able to
find the OS at all and I had to reinstall Windows. This is
around the 4th or 5th time I've had to do this, but XP has
only been on two computers so far (but only one computer at
a time).

The thing is... I am not sure if I will be able to
reactivate after doing it this many times. It is a legit
upgrade copy of XP I purschased at a retail store. I really
do not feel like staying on the phone waiting for MS Tech
Support just to be told I cannot reactivate it.

I think there is really no reason why I can't. The comptuer
couldnt find Windows and I had to reinstall it.

Will I still be able to reactivate XP?
Click to expand...


Retail Edition? (Not an OEM, came in a nice box?)

Yeah - activate it until you or it stops working.
 
-----Original Message-----



Retail Edition? (Not an OEM, came in a nice box?)

Yeah - activate it until you or it stops working.

--
<- Shenan ->
--
The information is provided "as is", with no guarantees of
completeness, accuracy or timeliness, and without warranties of any
kind, express or implied. In other words, read up before you take any
advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your actions.


.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is a retail copy of XP. It is not OEM. I bought
it at a electonic store quite a while ago.
I know it has to be activated or it will stop working.

I was just curious about the limit of reactivations since
I've had to reinstall Windows at least three times
already.
 
Yes, it is a retail copy of XP. It is not OEM. I bought
it at a electonic store quite a while ago.
I know it has to be activated or it will stop working.

I was just curious about the limit of reactivations since
I've had to reinstall Windows at least three times
already.
Click to expand...

In theory there is no limit, so long as the hardware remains the same.

But if the hardware is different and you are therefore required to
activate by telephone then after X number of times there are likely to
be more extensive questions asked. The value of X has not been
precisely defined.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
 
Dustin,

I suggest you tackle the main issue and that is why is your install of XP
going south on you?

When things get back up and running, I would suggest you do some overall
system stability tests to ensure that the hardware is all OK, then read up /
research a bit about virus, scumware and other trash software. Somewhere
between hardware, software, and the internet there will be something wasting
a lot of your time.

You will find many recommendations in this newsgroup and the security
newsgroup RE: anti virus and other valuable and reputable utilities along
with some basic steps you can take to check your hardware stability - I'll
suggest four programs now and leave the rest for you to research later if
you are interested:

1. memtest86 from memtest.com - read the instructions on the web site on how
to run this. If you have marginal memory in your computer or it is mal
configured then any type of problem can occur (almost).
2. Prime95 - from http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm. This interesting
little program will thrash the living daylights out of the CPU and includes
a CPU Torture test - an excellent way of checking that side of things.
3. dxdiag - to check out your graphics card - click Start, Run dxdiag.exe
enter.
4. MBM5 - Motherboard Monitor from http://mbm.livewiredev.com/download.html.
This is a good utility for checking to make sure you do not have CPU
overheating problems - it can also help in diagnosing power issues.

HTH
- Tim
 
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