XP home edition re-install

[johnrambo]

If I re-intall Windows from the CD including formatting the hard drive, how
do I go on with the activation system? Obviously I have already registered
and activated the current install - will this not be lost when I wipe the
drive, and then when I come to re-intall get prompted to activate and be
declined because it was already previously activated?
I should mention also that the XP version I am using is an OEM one, as the
PC was assembled by myself from components and the operating system was
purchased along with the kit.

 

[David B.]

You reactivate (you will have to) the same way you activated the first time,
either via internet or telephone.

 

[Bob I]

The same way as the first time.

 

[johnrambo]

OK - but the question is - will Microsoft allow me to re-activate? How can
they tell it is the same machine and that I am not instailling on another
(which is what the activation process is supposed to prevent)?

 

[David B.]

They can't tell it's the same machine, nor do they need to. If it's been a
while since your last activation then web activation should work, if not
just call and say you wiped and reloaded, no big deal.

 

[Bob I]

Of course, the hash provides the info relating to changes. Not an issue.

 

[johnrambo]

Sorry but what is the "hash" ?

Of course, the hash provides the info relating to changes. Not an issue.

 

[Bob I]

An encrypted number that identifies the major components of your PC.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/quick-start/activation-faq.aspx

 

[philo]

If I re-intall Windows from the CD including formatting the hard drive, how
do I go on with the activation system? Obviously I have already registered
and activated the current install - will this not be lost when I wipe the
drive, and then when I come to re-intall get prompted to activate and be
declined because it was already previously activated?
I should mention also that the XP version I am using is an OEM one, as the
PC was assembled by myself from components and the operating system was
purchased along with the kit.

If Windows was originally installed more than 90 days
ago, you should be able to activate it on line without any problems.

If it was less than 90 days ago,
at worst, it would require a phone call...
but it would not be a major big deal

 

[Guest]

If I re-intall Windows from the CD including formatting the hard drive, how
do I go on with the activation system? Obviously I have already registered
and activated the current install - will this not be lost when I wipe the
drive, and then when I come to re-intall get prompted to activate and be
declined because it was already previously activated?
I should mention also that the XP version I am using is an OEM one, as the
PC was assembled by myself from components and the operating system was
purchased along with the kit.

This was published a while back. Not sure whether it works, but worth a
try...

Have you ever wanted to reformat the hard disk and reinstall Windows XP
on a system but you didn't want to mess around with Microsoft's Product
Activation after the reinstall? Fortunately, you don't have to.

As long as you aren't making any hardware alterations, you can back up
the activation status files before you reformat the hard drive and then
restore them after you reinstall the operating system.

To perform the backup, follow these steps:

1. Use Windows Explorer to open the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
2. Copy the Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files to a floppy disk or CD.

To perform the restore, follow these steps:

1. Decline the activation request at the end of the installation
procedure, and restart Windows XP.
2. During bootup, press [F8] to access the Windows Advanced Options
menu.
3. Choose the Safe Mode (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal) option.
4. Use Windows Explorer to open the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
5. If they exist, rename the new Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files to
Wpadbl.new and Wpabak.new.
6. Copy the original Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files from the floppy disk
or CD to the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
7. Restart the system.

 

[Ken Blake]

OK - but the question is - will Microsoft allow me to re-activate?

Yes.


How can
they tell it is the same machine and that I am not instailling on another
(which is what the activation process is supposed to prevent)?

They can't tell. They trust you and take your word for it.

 

[Daave]

OK - but the question is - will Microsoft allow me to re-activate?
How can
they tell it is the same machine and that I am not instailling on
another
(which is what the activation process is supposed to prevent)?

It is my understanding that the activation routine polls how many
hardware changes you made since the last activation. If it detects no
changes, the presumption is the PC is the same. Even if there is a minor
change or two (e.g., an upgraded video card), the presumption is still
that the PC is the same. If it has been more than 90 days since the last
activation, you almost surely won't even need to worry about activating
over the telephone. That is, it should activate online automatically.
And hypothetically, if you decide to reinstall the OS every 30 days (not
a recommended practice!), there is never an issue with how many times
you activate on this PC. Of course, you will need to use the telephone,
but the point is that activation events are unlimited.

 

[Lil' Dave]

If I re-intall Windows from the CD including formatting the hard drive,
how
do I go on with the activation system? Obviously I have already
registered
and activated the current install - will this not be lost when I wipe the
drive, and then when I come to re-intall get prompted to activate and be
declined because it was already previously activated?
I should mention also that the XP version I am using is an OEM one, as the
PC was assembled by myself from components and the operating system was
purchased along with the kit.

Having done the same with a generic OEM XP installation CD that was used on
the same PC before, I don't see any problem except the 120 day waiting
period between installs. You will need the product key on the sticker that
came with the generic OEM XP installation CD package. It should have been
afixed that sticker to the PC enclosure/case. There is no RE-activation,
you're activating the new install of XP. The former one, now gone, is
immaterial.

Regarding activation, I did find one nuance. XP finds my phone modem and
installs the drivers duirng the installaiton. It does ask me for permission
to activate at the end of the installation, but before actually going to the
windows desktop screen. If I chose ot activate at that time, activation
will fail. Once in wndows, I can successfully use the activate option on
the desktop. In the event there is a problem, a screen will come with a
phone number to call for activation purposes. They may give you a different
product key.

Yes, as I said before, the old XP installtion will be gone doing a NEW
install of XP on top of a new partition that I hope you make instead of just
formatting the old partition. Irregardleess, the old XP will be gone.

 

[Daave]

It is my understanding that the activation routine polls how many
hardware changes you made since the last activation. If it detects no
changes, the presumption is the PC is the same. Even if there is a
minor change or two (e.g., an upgraded video card), the presumption is
still that the PC is the same. If it has been more than 90 days

Oops! 120 days!

 

[Lil' Dave]

Oops! 120 days!

Glad someone here finally figured out the proper time period as its very,
very old news. Oddly enough, I found that information here a few years ago.

 

[Alias]

Of course, the hash provides the info relating to changes. Not an issue.

Only if it's been less than 120 days since the last activation or
hardware change. If it's been longer, there isn't any more hash to
provide anything to MS.

Alias

 

[Alias]

If Windows was originally installed more than 90 days
ago, you should be able to activate it on line without any problems.

If it was less than 90 days ago,
at worst, it would require a phone call...
but it would not be a major big deal

Correction: 120 days.

Alias