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9/3/2006 8:12 AM

raju

Joined: 9/3/2006

Posts: 2

activation problem

I have boght XP Pro OEM version & then heard that it can only be activated 3 times. Is it true?

9/3/2006 8:49 AM

vasu

Joined: 8/7/2006

Posts: 1730

Re: activation problem

No , I dont think so, correct me if I am wrong,
You can install as many times on the same machine without any major hardware modifications.
If ther's any major modification then you may have to get new key by calling MS.
read this:
http://www.petri.co.il/activate_windows_xp.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/evaluation/features/activation.mspx
You can also Backup / Restore XP Activation by storing and using wpa.dbl file which is where Microsoft stores the data about Windows Product Activation database files.
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/kbase/WindowsTips/WindowsXP/UserTips/Miscellaneous/BackupRestoreXPActivation.html
The method shown in above article is not a hack to avoid activating installations.
Its just a method to avoid activating XP after a reinstall or restore on the same or very similar hardware. It will not work if the hardware is significantly different from that in place when the Windows Product Activation database files were created.

vasu