Activation after a certion amount of time...

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Tom - 31 Jan 2004 17:37 GMT

Back in June of 2003, I had to rebuild my PC because I replaced my hard
drive with a larger size model. Of course, because I changed the hardware, I
had to call MS to 'activate' it. They gave me a LOOOONG number which I put
in and XP (Pro) accepted it fine.

Now, my machine is acting fairly wierd and I want to format and reinstall
WinXP Pro. I am wondering how the activation will work now? I thought I
read somewhere that after a certain amount of time the activation 'resets'
and once can again use their normal product ID code that came with XP. Is
this true? And if so, what is the amount of time before this happens?

The big question is, if I reinstall XP and it has been six months since I
last did it, will I have to call again to get it activated? Or will my
normal XP Pro product code work as it did before? (The only hardware I have
changed since June is the replacement of my video card).

Any info appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Tom

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Carey Frisch [MVP] - 31 Jan 2004 17:42 GMT

Windows Product Activation (WPA) on Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Alex Nichol]

Signature

Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

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

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| Back in June of 2003, I had to rebuild my PC because I replaced my hard
| drive with a larger size model. Of course, because I changed the hardware, I
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
|
| Tom

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mrtee - 31 Jan 2004 18:09 GMT

There should be no problem over the internet, activation resets after 120 days (4 months).

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Just my 2¢ worth
Jeff
__________in response to__________

| Back in June of 2003, I had to rebuild my PC because I replaced my hard
| drive with a larger size model. Of course, because I changed the hardware, I
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
|
| Tom

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Bruce Chambers - 31 Jan 2004 18:38 GMT

Greetings --

There's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall and
activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. If it's been more
than 120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key,
you'll most likely be able to activate via the Internet without
problem. If it's been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone
call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm

Bruce Chambers

--
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having both at once. -- RAH

> Back in June of 2003, I had to rebuild my PC because I replaced my hard
> drive with a larger size model. Of course, because I changed the hardware, I
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Tom

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