XP Product Key...

[D_7]

...Limited to the amount of times you can use it?

Bit of background. In 1998, my company gave me a laptop with Windows 98 installed - every so often when it got cluttered with crap, I backed up important data and reinstalled 98, no problems.

Back in 2003, I gave the laptop back to the company and went out and bought my own - preinstaleld with Windows XP Home Edition. I activated the OS with the product key and all was well. Back end of 2004, a virus problem meant I had to reinstall Windows, so I did.

Last night, the laptop was running really slow and it had lots of unwanted files on it. "OK, i'll format it and reinstall it" I though. So I did.

Once the install had completed I was asked to activate Windows. I entered the product key in and it came up saying that I couldn't uie this product key because, according to their records it had been used too many times, or something. Now Microsoft want me to pay to get a new product key!

Are they saying that I can only install Windows twice on each product key?!

I have just installed XP on my home computer (upgrading it from Windows ME) - with a different disc and product key of course and this just doesn't bode well at all, especially as my kids clutter the computer up no end and so Windows ME was formatted regulary!

Is there anyway round this, or do I have to pay for the product key, end of?

If the latter, Microsoft can shove their XP right up their a**e and i'll install ME on both my laptop and home computer.

Also, can I run XP without activating it? It says something about 30 days to activate, what happens after this 30 days?

Thanks

John

[freakitchen]

No, they don't want you to pay again for Windows! MS can't stop you re-formatting, the fact that they have asked you to contact them is their way of trying to stop one product key being used on multiple different machines. Basically, ring them up using the number quoted...they will ask you to read your key. You will then get asked why you are reinstalling (just say 'a format') and whether you have it installed on another computer (of course, say 'no'). They will then give you a different code to type in. And then you're activated!

Annoying, I know, but understandable why they do it i spose

Freakitchen

[D_7]

Cheers mate - the link I got given when I tried to activate did mention cost though, probably where I got mixed up

BTW, where abouts in Yorkshire you from? I'm from Middlesbrough

[freakitchen]

No problem!

I'm from Wakefield, near Leeds, nice to see another notherner on this board! A good friend of mine is proud to be from 'the boro', he even has a full range of 'SMOGGY' T-shirts!

Freakitchen

[Statica]

D_7:
The solution provided by Freakitchen is accurate. You should be able to get it activated without any problems.
A word about the rest of your post though, we will not be allowing any information to crack the product activation of any software on this board. While it is understandable that you are upset, the software protection is part of the operating system you wish to use, however - to Microsoft's credit they have always been prompt in dealing with any errors in the activation as long as your software is legal.

[Alfie]

There's a difference between the key code and activation code.
When you install the OS,it will ask for the key code,it then goes online to activate the product,if online activation senses the OS has been installed more than once in a specific time frame or if major hardware has been changed(motherboard,etc.),you'll have to call Microsoft and get a new activation code,there's no charge for that.
If you've lost your key and need a new one,there's a charge for that.