xp professional sp2 fresh install activation question

[john]

Hi,
I recently slipstreamed xp sp2 int xp and did a fresh install on a new
hard disk. The xp version I'm now using and have activated is a sp1
install. I'm hoping to be able to migrate from the current install to the
new install over the next couple weeks. When it comes time to activate the
new install it will not do it automatically because it tells me that over
the past 2 years (or is it 3 since xp came out?) I've activated too many
times. Granted, due to disk crashes, new disks, new processors, new network
cards, and fresh installs, I have activated many times and have had to call
the number to activate via the phone. What I'd like to know is if I
activate the new sp2 install will my current sp1 install (current day to
day system) be de-activated? Each install is on a different hard disk, but
both run on the same system otherwise. I'd like to be able to activate the
new sp2 just to get rid of the nags, but if doing so will cancel the
activation of my current install, I can't. So do I need to migrate all my
data and programs to the new sp2 install and pretty much be done with the
current install be activation? Thanks.

 

[john]

Each install is on a different hard disk, but
both run on the same system otherwise. I'd like to be able to activate the
new sp2 just to get rid of the nags, but if doing so will cancel the
activation of my current install,

what I'd like to know is, when these xp machines call "home" and are
verified as "legal/activated" by the activation server, if a previous
activation of a xp machine is "cancelled" when that somewhat different, but
still the same xp machine is deemed "legal/activated" by the activation
server. Can I keep my current activated xp on one disk and then get my
new install activated and be able to plug either one into the system and
have a "legal/activated" machine? Thanks.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You cannot keep two activations. Although I think I understand what you
mean, just in case I don't there is no SP1 vs SP2 activation. It is just an
XP activation.

 

[john]

You cannot keep two activations. Although I think I understand what you
mean, just in case I don't there is no SP1 vs SP2 activation. It is just an
XP activation.

So what happens is as soon as I activate the new xp install the old xp
install is no longer valid when it calls home so it is deactivated by the
Microsoft server?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

When the old system "calls home" as you put it, the hardware hash will not
match what is on file because the new system has activated already and
supplied a different code. See this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302806

 

[john]

When the old system "calls home" as you put it, the hardware hash will not
match what is on file because the new system has activated already and
supplied a different code. See this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302806

thanks for the link, to quote,
"The software will then verify that it is activated at various points. In
Windows, this verification occurs every time that a user logs on to the
computer."

so when I boot and log on xp verifies (calls home). Looks like I've got 29
days to get my new system in place.

Thanks for the help

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Windows does not check with Microsoft every time you log on. A process runs
at logon that compares the current hardware configuration (recreates the
hardwarehash) with the configuration stored in a file on your computer and
if there is a big enough disparity (or no file at all because it is a new
installation) you get the high sign from the system to activate. That part
happens within your computer. At that point you need a new activation code
from Microsoft. That's what you get back from MS.

(If remaining activated depended on Windows calling home, all you would have
to do to illegally copy Windows would be to never get on the internet.)

Take your time activating. Make sure you work out the wrinkles first.

Good luck.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

what I'd like to know is, when these xp machines call "home" and are
verified as "legal/activated" by the activation server, if a previous
activation of a xp machine is "cancelled" when that somewhat
different, but still the same xp machine is deemed "legal/activated"
by the activation server. Can I keep my current activated xp on one
disk and then get my
new install activated and be able to plug either one into the system
and have a "legal/activated" machine? Thanks.

There is no de-activation, activation will either go through over the
internet or phone in.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
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[Michael Stevens]

In

When the old system "calls home" as you put it, the hardware hash
will not match what is on file because the new system has activated
already and supplied a different code. See this article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302806

The hardware changed is only the hard drive, activation would likely to be
over the internet except for his frequent upgrade history.

--
In memory of, MVP Alex Nichol may his legacy live on.

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

As he said earlier, "Granted, due to disk crashes, new disks, new
processors, new network
cards, and fresh installs, I have activated many times and have had to call
the number to activate via the phone."

He should get frequent flier miles from the Activation Center.

 

[john]

(If remaining activated depended on Windows calling home, all you would have
to do to illegally copy Windows would be to never get on the internet.)

the this raises another question, I apologise if I'm pressing the point.
Since each install on each disk would be equally legally activated, each
should then operate OK as long as I'm not online. It would only be a check
with an external Microsoft server than would raise a flag that my system is
in affect activated twice, once for each install on a seperate disk. So I
guess I'm wondering if a remote Microsoft server does in fact periodically
check the activation certificate on the install and if the certificate on
the older install since no longer being the active one in the Microsoft
database, would cause it to become unfunctional.

 

[john]

The hardware changed is only the hard drive, activation would likely to be
over the internet except for his frequent upgrade history.

I understand this, but my main question is when it comes time to activate
the new install will a remote Microsoft server render my old install(next
time I plug that Hard Disk in) as invalid and unable to operate?

 

[john]

There is no de-activation, activation will either go through over the
internet or phone in.

I've got one install on each hard disk, the current one is activated.
If I activate the new install on the other hard disk then what you are
saying is I will be able to swap out the disks and each activated xp system
will operate. What I'm asking is if a remote MIcrosoft server verifies the
certificate of the xp system while online and only allows the system that
matches the current remote Microsoft certificate to remain activated and
in some way marks the other system as invalid thus de-activating it.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I've got one install on each hard disk, the current one is activated.
If I activate the new install on the other hard disk then what you are
saying is I will be able to swap out the disks and each activated xp
system will operate. What I'm asking is if a remote MIcrosoft server
verifies the certificate of the xp system while online and only
allows the system that matches the current remote Microsoft
certificate to remain activated and in some way marks the other
system as invalid thus de-activating it.

Again, There is no such thing as de-activation. If you have only one hard
disk installed at a time, the other will not be affected.

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
How do I deactivate, move to another computer or sell a previously activated
XP?
#06 on the FAQ list
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

No. Microsoft respects your privacy. You are really worried that somehow
MS is checking your system. Be assured that it does not.

Every time you boot up your system refreshes the hardware list and a routine
runs to calculate a hardware hash code and compares it to a file written to
your system by the last activation. If things have changed enough, then the
activation wizard is started and a grace period is set within which you must
activate or suffer a severe reduction in functionality. When you activate
the MS server checks the activation history they have to see if you have
activated an "excessive" number of times within a period. If so, it blocks
internet activation and escalates you to a telephone system.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

At the worst you may have to talk to an operator. The operator will ask how
many computers this copy of Windows is installed on and if satisfied with
your answer and your reason for having to reactivate (new hardware, etc)
then the operator will read you a new code to type in.

 

[john]

No. Microsoft respects your privacy. You are really worried that somehow
MS is checking your system. Be assured that it does not.

Every time you boot up your system refreshes the hardware list and a routine
runs to calculate a hardware hash code and compares it to a file written to
your system by the last activation. If things have changed enough, then the
activation wizard is started and a grace period is set within which you must
activate or suffer a severe reduction in functionality. When you activate
the MS server checks the activation history they have to see if you have
activated an "excessive" number of times within a period. If so, it blocks
internet activation and escalates you to a telephone system.

thanks for this explanation. I hope you are correct. I remember reading
that Microsoft does save a copy of an authentication "certificate" on a
remote server and does compare that to the one on my machine, this is what
has raised all my questions. I guess what I read was incorrect, or I mis-
understood what was meant.

 

[john]

At the worst you may have to talk to an operator. The operator will ask how
many computers this copy of Windows is installed on and if satisfied with
your answer and your reason for having to reactivate (new hardware, etc)
then the operator will read you a new code to type in.

Do you think Microsoft would buy the arguement that I have recently
upgraded to SP2 on a seperate disk and am switching between 2 disks
(and seperate XP versions [one XPSP1 the other XPSP2]? I guess I will find
out. Hope they find it OK.