XP Activation

[hodunwun]

How is xp activated? Do I have to make a call or what? Does it activate with the installation? I installed xp pro about three weeks ago and I don't remember anything in the set up or installation that said anything about activation. I think it has to be activated within thirty days. Whats the scoop or can you give me a link. Thanks,
Doug

[DilLy]

you install XP, then you have thirty days to activate it. You can call, or use the internet. Go with the internet activation, it takes like 2 seconds.

[AzCoastie]

Activation will occur when you're connected to the internet. If your copy can't automatically activate via the interent, it will give you a number to call along with a string of numbers you need to give MS.

To check and see if your version has been activated, go to the Start menu | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | and click on "Activate Windows".

If it's already activated, it'll tell you and if not, it will attempt to activate via the internet. Again, if it can't activate via the internet, it will give you a telephone number to call along with a string of numbers to give to MS.

HTH

[DilLy]

I think if you go to start>programs>accesories there is a link to activate XP. It goes away when you do it.

It usually keeps asking you to activate until you do it, unless you tell it to stop bugging you. There also should have been a notification right after windows started telling you about activation. It really isn't complicated at all.

[DilLy]

OOps, you beat me to it.

[hodunwun]

I checked and there is nothing about ''activation" under assories or tools I have never gotton any repeated messages to activate. I guess it has activated already.
Thanks. doug

[doubledragon5]

If it is a OEM version I found that some will not require you to active it ,why I have no Idea. I recently did a complete install of XP and not only did it not ack for the product ID it also did not call for activation either. I reinstalled it about 2 months ago and did not activate it yet.

[hodunwun]

Well I am not going to worry about it. I suspect if something is wrong, I will here from Microsoft somehow.

[HAL9000]

The only ones that I have seen without product activation are;

1) Corporate Edition which unless you are using it legally from the business that you work for or own, (I highly doubt the home user would purchase it) that is piracy and not supported in these forums.

2) BIOS locked OEM CD's. These come from a computer manufacturer and are BIOS locked to work with only that PC.

3) Proprietary machines. For example, I have an HP machine on display in my shop that has a recovery CD and the system does not require activation.

To the best of my knowledge, ALL other OEM and retail boxed products require activation.

[doubledragon5]

Hal9000

I have a Dell so mine probably fits under number 2 or 3 because I have yet to activite mine.

[HAL9000]

Yup, it will fall under #3 (although #2 is very closely related).