XP licensing issues with retail upgrade pack

[Ferrang]

Need help with an XP Licensing issue please.

In our office we have an old computer from 2001. Originally running
W98, it was upgraded to XP Pro 2 ½ years ago. We need to keep it
running until June 2008 (Don’t ask!).

About a month ago, the motherboard became faulty, so we replaced both
MB and processor. Windows asked us to revalidate, which we did.

Since the MB was replaced, the software has not been at its best. Today
I decided a clean install was called for. I removed the hard drive and
stored it safely and used a new clean NTFS formatted drive for the
install. All went well until the validation, when the GC speech told me
the system has been revalidated too many times.

Fortunately, the original hard drive has been stored safely, so 10
minutes later the computer was back to where it had been before the
upgrade.

I am still disappointed that I cannot perform a clean install; mainly
because I had understood retail licenses could be used indefinitely. Am
I mistaken?

All help and comments are appreciated.

 

[Claggy]

Need help with an XP Licensing issue please.

In our office we have an old computer from 2001. Originally running
W98, it was upgraded to XP Pro 2 ½ years ago. We need to keep it
running until June 2008 (Don't ask!).

About a month ago, the motherboard became faulty, so we replaced both
MB and processor. Windows asked us to revalidate, which we did.

Since the MB was replaced, the software has not been at its best. Today
I decided a clean install was called for. I removed the hard drive and
stored it safely and used a new clean NTFS formatted drive for the
install. All went well until the validation, when the GC speech told me
the system has been revalidated too many times.

Fortunately, the original hard drive has been stored safely, so 10
minutes later the computer was back to where it had been before the
upgrade.

I am still disappointed that I cannot perform a clean install; mainly
because I had understood retail licenses could be used indefinitely. Am
I mistaken?

All help and comments are appreciated.

Are you talking about activation? If so there is not a limit to how many
times you can activate XP. Sometimes if it has been activated too many times
you have to choose to activate by telephone. It should give you an 800
number to call.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Need help with an XP Licensing issue please.

In our office we have an old computer from 2001. Originally running
W98, it was upgraded to XP Pro 2 ½ years ago. We need to keep it
running until June 2008 (Don’t ask!).

About a month ago, the motherboard became faulty, so we replaced both
MB and processor. Windows asked us to revalidate, which we did.

First of all, note that the correct term is "activate," not
"validate."

Since the MB was replaced, the software has not been at its best. Today
I decided a clean install was called for.

Sorry, but that was the wrong decision. A *repair* installation, which
is much easier and faster, is what is normally needed after a
motherboard replacement.

I removed the hard drive and
stored it safely and used a new clean NTFS formatted drive for the
install. All went well until the validation, when the GC speech told me
the system has been revalidated too many times.

Fortunately, the original hard drive has been stored safely, so 10
minutes later the computer was back to where it had been before the
upgrade.

I am still disappointed that I cannot perform a clean install; mainly
because I had understood retail licenses could be used indefinitely. Am
I mistaken?

No, you are correct. The message you got is unfortunately terrible and
misleading. You *can* reactivate, but you can not do it automatically
over the internet this time. Just call the 800 number they give you,
and they will give you the number to enter manually. It's quick and
easy, normally under five minutes.

 

[Ferrang]

Ken & Claggy

Thanks for the assistance on the XP Activation. I followed your
instructions carefully and now have a correctly activated system.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken & Claggy

Thanks for the assistance on the XP Activation. I followed your
instructions carefully and now have a correctly activated system.

You're welcome. Glad to help.