Windows XP Activation

[Fouad]

Windows XP is an important and much needed aspect in the
fight against piracy. Being from Pakistan, where 99.5% of
the entire population including highly-educated software
developers are inclined towards buying a pirated CD
(Windows or Office) costing as low as US $1.00 only. In
this regard, I want to know that I Microsoft says that
after each installation of Windows on a freshly formatted
or re-formatted hard disk requires product activation.
But in my case, a Compaq Evo D320 Microtower computer
never requires activation. I remember activating Windows
for the first time when I bought the PC. But after that,
whenever I install Windows and try to activate WIndows, I
am told that Windows is Already Activated. Is this some
smart-technology code stuff which is embedded into the
system hardware/bios?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Preinstalled OEM versions of Windows XP usually do not
require Product Activation. This is due to the fact the OEM
version performs a BIOS check and it must match or else
the installation is aborted. This prevents the OEM CD from
being illegally installed on any computer other than the one
it was originally shipped with.

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

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

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| Windows XP is an important and much needed aspect in the
| fight against piracy. Being from Pakistan, where 99.5% of
| the entire population including highly-educated software
| developers are inclined towards buying a pirated CD
| (Windows or Office) costing as low as US $1.00 only. In
| this regard, I want to know that I Microsoft says that
| after each installation of Windows on a freshly formatted
| or re-formatted hard disk requires product activation.
| But in my case, a Compaq Evo D320 Microtower computer
| never requires activation. I remember activating Windows
| for the first time when I bought the PC. But after that,
| whenever I install Windows and try to activate WIndows, I
| am told that Windows is Already Activated. Is this some
| smart-technology code stuff which is embedded into the
| system hardware/bios?

 

[Steve C. Ray]

Yes, the system is BIOS locked.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I want to know that I Microsoft says that
after each installation of Windows on a freshly formatted
or re-formatted hard disk requires product activation.
But in my case, a Compaq Evo D320 Microtower computer
never requires activation. I remember activating Windows
for the first time when I bought the PC.

On a machine made by one of those big makers, the matter is probably
taken care of by 'locking' the system to the BIOS of the motherboard, so
as long as that is not changed any reinstall is automatically active.
Your original activation was probably in fact a registration of you as
the owner.

 

[Richard Klein]

Preinstalled OEM versions of Windows XP usually do not
require Product Activation. This is due to the fact the OEM
version performs a BIOS check and it must match or else
the installation is aborted. This prevents the OEM CD from
being illegally installed on any computer other than the one
it was originally shipped with.

Shoot!

I picked up Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition. I'm
planning to format my hard drive (which currently has XP Pro OEM on
it) and do a clean install of SBS 2003, then give my copy of XP to my
sister.

I just got off the phone with someone in Microsoft tech support and
they told me that what I have planned is fine, but I just told him
that I'm giving my sister Windows XP; I didn't think to mention that
it's the Pro OEM version.

Am I *doomed*?

-- Rich

 

[D.Currie]

Shoot!

I picked up Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition. I'm
planning to format my hard drive (which currently has XP Pro OEM on
it) and do a clean install of SBS 2003, then give my copy of XP to my
sister.

I just got off the phone with someone in Microsoft tech support and
they told me that what I have planned is fine, but I just told him
that I'm giving my sister Windows XP; I didn't think to mention that
it's the Pro OEM version.

Am I *doomed*?

-- Rich

No, but your sister isn't going to get a working copy of XP unless you buy
her a new one. In the off chance that she does get the software install,
either it's not going to be able to be activated, or she might find that
because of the oem customization, there are things that don't work right
afterwards.

 

[CS]

No, but your sister isn't going to get a working copy of XP unless you buy
her a new one. In the off chance that she does get the software install,
either it's not going to be able to be activated, or she might find that
because of the oem customization, there are things that don't work right
afterwards.

That might be true but it's certainly worth a try. Most OEM versions
of XP are identical to the MS retail version. Some OEM versions that
were preinstalled are as you say. If it doesn't work, he can always
purchase a retail version of XP for his sister.