Windows Activation and Drive Imaging

[FN]

I did a drive image (using Acronis) of my computer before I activated
Windows XP SP1. I did that image on the same day that I first installed
the OS and when I had 60 days left before needing to activate windows.
With just a couple days left before I was supposed to activate XP, I
restored the drive image back to the original. I thought I would get 60
days again before needing to activate, but instead, it somehow "knows" the
original install date and again tells me I must active right away (in 3
days).

This is a licensed version of XP, and I'm not trying to do anything
illegally. I absolutely paid for this. The problem is that I will soon
be buying a new computer, and I don't want to "waste" a license on this
computer when I will soon be upgrading to a new one.

Suggestions?

 

[cimex]

Tee hee hee.

Buy a handkerchief.

 

[Nitrof]

Why don't you activate then.
Just phone Microsoft.

 

[cimex]

It sounds as though the problem could only occur if he XP is OEM. He wants
to preserve its "virginity," and not wed it to the old machine.

 

[mrtee]

Why did you create the image BEFORE you activated XP?

I have an image of a fresh activated XP install that I restore, update, reimage, then restore my current image and continue from where I was. I have not had to reactivate XP since I began using TrueImage.

--
Just my ¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________
| I did a drive image (using Acronis) of my computer before I activated
| Windows XP SP1. I did that image on the same day that I first installed
| the OS and when I had 60 days left before needing to activate windows.
| With just a couple days left before I was supposed to activate XP, I
| restored the drive image back to the original. I thought I would get 60
| days again before needing to activate, but instead, it somehow "knows" the
| original install date and again tells me I must active right away (in 3
| days).
|
| This is a licensed version of XP, and I'm not trying to do anything
| illegally. I absolutely paid for this. The problem is that I will soon
| be buying a new computer, and I don't want to "waste" a license on this
| computer when I will soon be upgrading to a new one.
|
| Suggestions?
|
|

 

[Alex Nichol]

I did a drive image (using Acronis) of my computer before I activated
Windows XP SP1. I did that image on the same day that I first installed
the OS and when I had 60 days left before needing to activate windows.
With just a couple days left before I was supposed to activate XP, I
restored the drive image back to the original. I thought I would get 60
days again before needing to activate, but instead, it somehow "knows" the
original install date and again tells me I must active right away (in 3
days).

You have copied back a system that has not been activated - exactly as
it was - and consequently it has no means of knowing you ever *did*
activate. THat event is recorded on the system, in the registry and as
two files, and you have removed them. Just the same as if you formatted
the disk and started over. You will need to get that activated, and
*then* make a new image in the activated state - that will be
remembered.