reactivate windows xp after hardware change?

[mritech75]

I just finished my first build-no problems until now. I had no problem activating win xp at first. Now I just installed a dvd-rom and dvd-writer and its asking me to reactivate win xp. I tried that and it tells me the number of times it can be activated has been exceded. I originally installed it on my old Dell computer and then a Dell laptop. Like I said, the third time it was installed on this new build and no problems. But after adding my two drives it won't allow me to reactivate. Another forum said that if I call they may just reactivate it for me with the new hardware. Is this true? Please help! (Also if they do reactivate it for me will I have a problem in the future if I do another clean install on this computer?) Thanks a lot!

[TwoRails]

The process gets mixed up sometimes. Just give them a call and they'll take care of it over the phone. It's quite painless, at least when I have had to do it.

[Panama Red]

You'll have to call to reactivate. And they will ask you if it is installed on any other system. If the Dell computers still have it installed, you've already violated the EULA. One copy of XP per machine. If the other two have been parted out or junked, then you can legally install it on another machine, IF this isn't XP designed for Dell. If it's a Dell restore type CD, once again you've violated the EULA by putting it on the current machine.

Any time you reinstall XP or change hardware you stand the chance of reactivation. Nothing to worry about if you're legal.

BTW, your response will determine whether this thread remains open. We cannot support illegal installations or illegal ownership of any software.

[mritech75]

Thanks TwoRails for you quick reply-I'll try them tomorrow-Thanks!

[mjkovis]

Originally Posted by TwoRails The process gets mixed up sometimes. Just give them a call and they'll take care of it over the phone. It's quite painless, at least when I have had to do it.

Exactly. I have had to do it a few times before and it only takes a minute. There should be no problems. They usually just ask what the deal is then give you new activation code for the software.

[mritech75]

It is an OS that I had purchased, not a Dell reinstall disk. I removed it from the Dell because it was not fast enough to run smoothly. I had installed it on a Dell laptop but the LCD crapped out so it was parted. Also I thought I read at one time that they would allow you to install it "legally?" on possibly 2 pcs and 1 laptop without any problems? possibly an inaccurate resource. Thanks again!

[mritech75]

Thanks Acid-Klutch! Is it annoying when I post with a thank you? I don't want to clog things up or violate the rules?

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by mritech75 It is an OS that I had purchased, not a Dell reinstall disk. I removed it from the Dell because it was not fast enough to run smoothly. I had installed it on a Dell laptop but the LCD crapped out so it was parted. Also I thought I read at one time that they would allow you to install it "legally?" on possibly 2 pcs and 1 laptop without any problems? possibly an inaccurate resource. Thanks again!

The only software from MS that is allowed for installation on one laptop and 2 desktops (that I know of) is the Student - Teacher version of MS Office XP or 2003.

[glc]

You are legal, but you are going to have to speak with a person at Microsoft and tell them what you just told us - or wait 120 days to get automatic reactivation back. "Legal" with the XP OS is ONE machine.

[mritech75]

Thanks to everyone for your advice! It was as simple as calling Microsoft and entering the digits they provided. He just asked if it was oem or retail version of xp-i told him retail-and then he asked if it was installed on another computer and i said no. i explained about having to reactivate after installing dvd rom and rw drives. I'm not sure if it will be a problem in the future if i decide to do a clean install again on the same computer.? Thanks again!

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

Originally Posted by mritech75 and then he asked if it was installed on another computer and i said no.

Good to see you have got it activated, I have had to reactivate mine a couple of times by phone and have had to reactivate machines at work quite a bit (one was once had a mobo change two days after a reactivation) and have never, ever been asked by the person if it was installed on more than one computer. All they did was ask for the number on the screen (this was talking to the human, after the robot spits out the code) and then type in the new one. No being asked questions. I could quite easily have it installed on three machines, and been activating each one, and there were no questions asked.

[sdkfz]

mritech75 - to answer your question - reactivation is reset every 120 days, the need to reactivate is set by a code that assigns a value to certain parts of the computer(See below), you change enough of the right things to hit the reactivate required value and you have to do it. Different parts have different values so you could change one part 5 times in 120 days with no problem and yet change another one fewer times and have to reactivate.

From the same page I reference below:

What are the 10 hardware characteristics that are used to determine the hardware hash?

The following 10 hardware characteristics are used to determine the hardware hash:
• Display adapter
• SCSI adapter
• IDE adapter
• Network adapter media access control address
• RAM amount range (for example, 0-64MB or 64-128MB)
• Processor type
• Processor serial number
• Hard disk device
• Hard disk volume serial number
• CD-ROM/CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive


WhatsThisBoxFor; taken from MS web page: http://support.microsoft.com/default...n-us;302878#4d

What happens if you try to install and activate a product on more computers than the EULA allows?

Installation of the product on more computers than the EULA allows is a violation of the EULA. Technically, MPA does not limit the number of computers where the product can be installed. For example, you could install Windows XP on 100 computers, but activation would not be successful on 99 of those computers. If you installed Office XP on 100 computers, activation would not be successful on 98 of those computers. This limits the usefulness of the installations that are in violation of the EULA. Outside MPA, Microsoft does not know how many computers have Windows XP or Office XP family products installed.

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

My point is, if they don't ask, how do they know it is installed on more than one computer?

[sdkfz]

Try getting updates on them - anyway it is against the EULA and forum rules to discuss further