XP OEM Activation Backup

[Justin]

I would like to reinstall WinXP on my computer. But, I don't have a
installation disc. Acer doesn't give the CD. The recovery CD are
good-for-nothing as they create a FAT32 volume.

Can I backup my activation data (wpa.dbl and wpa.bak) and reinstall a
cracked XP Pro and later go to Safe Mode and replace the activation
data? Will that make my copy a legal one?

Or can I just use the Product Key on the sticker to change the product
key and re-activate after reinstallation?

 

[Frank]

I would like to reinstall WinXP on my computer. But, I don't have a
installation disc. Acer doesn't give the CD. The recovery CD are
good-for-nothing as they create a FAT32 volume.

Can I backup my activation data (wpa.dbl and wpa.bak) and reinstall a
cracked XP Pro and later go to Safe Mode and replace the activation
data? Will that make my copy a legal one?

Or can I just use the Product Key on the sticker to change the product
key and re-activate after reinstallation?

Microsoft sells XP in way too many versions to distributors that the
above
question could be answered in way too many ways.
W2K was sold right, Retail-full or upgrade. OEM full......Period

 

[Ron Martell]

I would like to reinstall WinXP on my computer. But, I don't have a
installation disc. Acer doesn't give the CD. The recovery CD are
good-for-nothing as they create a FAT32 volume.

Can I backup my activation data (wpa.dbl and wpa.bak) and reinstall a
cracked XP Pro and later go to Safe Mode and replace the activation
data? Will that make my copy a legal one?

Or can I just use the Product Key on the sticker to change the product
key and re-activate after reinstallation?

No. The backed up wpa files will not be usable after a format and
reinstall. And unless your "cracked" XP Pro is also an OEM version
from Acer your product key will be invalid for activation.

Why not just use the Acer recovery CDs and then convert the partition
to NTFS immediately afterwards? You can use BootItNG from
www.bootitng.com to ensure that the FAT32 partition is properly
aligned for NTFS conversion. The 30 day free trial version is fully
functional. Note: Do not actually Install BootItNG. It will then
change to Maintenance mode which will do the alignment etc.

Or better still. Why not just fix whatever problems and shortcomings
there are with your existing Windows XP? My current installed copy
has a heritage that traces back (through multiple upgrades of Windows
and every hardware component except possibly the power cord) to
Windows for Workgroups 3.11 in 1993 or thereabouts. I never do a
clean install on my production system. Too much work to reinstall
everything and reconfigure it.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I would like to reinstall WinXP on my computer. But, I don't have a
installation disc. Acer doesn't give the CD. The recovery CD are
good-for-nothing as they create a FAT32 volume.

Can I backup my activation data (wpa.dbl and wpa.bak) and reinstall a
cracked XP Pro and later go to Safe Mode and replace the activation
data?

No, it wouldn't work.

Will that make my copy a legal one?

No.


Or can I just use the Product Key on the sticker to change the product
key and re-activate after reinstallation?

Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any
retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice
versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD,
and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail
product. An Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD.
Bottom line: Product Keys and CD types cannot be mixed & matched.

You should be able to use your Product Key if you obtain an unbranded,
generic OEM installation CD of the same edition and version as
originally came with the laptop.


--

Bruce Chambers

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[Paul Johnson]

I would like to reinstall WinXP on my computer. But, I don't have a
installation disc. Acer doesn't give the CD. The recovery CD are
good-for-nothing as they create a FAT32 volume.

If it's a laptop, you'll probably get better performance out of vfat (FAT32)
than you will out of NTFS. Another advantage of vfat is that it can be
read and written to by more OS's if you ever need to use, say, Knoppix, to
recover data later.

Can I backup my activation data (wpa.dbl and wpa.bak) and reinstall a
cracked XP Pro and later go to Safe Mode and replace the activation
data? Will that make my copy a legal one?

No, don't try to circumvent the copy protection.

Or can I just use the Product Key on the sticker to change the product
key and re-activate after reinstallation?

Yes.