Reformating hard drive

[pchan]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of reformating my hard drive. Will Microsoft allow me to register the second time for XP Home and Office 2003 ? If yes, what is the maximum allowable. I am using the same hardware. After one year, there are too many junk inside the PC, and I need to clean it up completely.

Thanks in advance.

[kadzbiz]

I've reformatted a few times myself for various reasons. All you have to do when you have the PC back to how you like it again is to click on the "activate windows" option and follow the prompts. I usually opt for the "activate via phone". All that happens is you type in the current serial number that comes up on the screen and you will be given a new set of number automatically that you type in. Voila, it is done.

[HacktheHacker]

I have had to re-install windows 4 times over the last 2/3 years on my sons computers and have never had an issue when it comes to re-registering windows. I register online and it instantly updates. As it is already registered in your name and you are entering the same information I would have thought that it wouldn't matter how many times you did it.

[jimmalenko]

I'm pretty sure that there's a flashing red light in Silicon Valley every four activations or so

Normally it happens when you change hardware though, as this indicates to Microsoft that perhaps you are installing your one copy on multiple machines. If worst comes to worst you just ring them up, explain that you like to reinstall every 6 months or so and they should get you going again, lickedy split.

[Nelson37]

I'm up over 10 on my oldest XP.

I actually enjoy climbing up their ass about hassle for actually USING the product I paid for, and am legally installing. Gives me an opportunity to ream them for using such small print on the labels, and making an OS that requires a re-install for putting in a new video-card.

Then I suggest that I could go back to Win and Office 2000, and put both on all 6 PC's in my home, and there is nothing they could do about it. The "but, but, but, but " stutter from the other end is worth the 5-minute phone call.

[beric3236]

When I have had to reformat I just click on the activate windows button and it does its thing and I am back in business. The only time I had to call was when I move the license from one computer to another because one blew up. I understand that if you change the CPU and/or the Motherboard that will cause you to have to call Microsoft. Other than that you should be ok.

[kadzbiz]

I understand that if you change the CPU and/or the Motherboard that will cause you to have to call Microsoft.

I had to replace a mobo and CPU and still only had to "activate windows" via the automated phone response. I've NEVER spoken to anyone at Microsoft.

[TBoneit]

It really does depend...

I had one customer who was having problems and was told we think you are installing on multiple machines and they locked that product key from being activable.

OTOH on a Dell for example using the dell XP disc you don't even have to activate it installs activated. If you do a system restore using the Sony software that makes a restore set, no activation needed. Same for HP if you do the restore to new condition.

OTOH using retail or OEM discs and keys will mean activation. The Dell product key on teh side of the case for example will always need a phone call the first time. A second time it will activate over the internet.

Microsoft can actually be strange.... We had a customer that had the product key on top of the computer and wore the product key off in 3 months. Why he put it there or used the top of the case for his mouse is beyond me. We sold all the parts including the XP but he wanted to build it himself. Myself, I'd never put it on top. The side or back yes, top, no. Anyway he called MS and explained and they gave him a new Key. If he hadn't formatted first then called us asking what is his key I could have pulled the key from the windows despite it being totally gunked up with Malware. 3 Months, amazing!

[pchan]

Hi Folks,
Thanks for all the reply. From what I gather here, it's OK to reformat the hard disk provided that the hardware remains the same. If there is hardware changes, get down on my knees and call them and beg.....