XP pro activation

[budz]

Hmmmmms okay so now I got 9 days left to activate XP PRO. I'd like to know if I change out optical drives or other computer components will I have problems in doing so. I've heard so many people complain about having to reactivate or something when they change components. Any comments or advice will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Conquest10]

I was actually surprised that I've changed so much stuff and not have to reactivate. I've put in a DVD burner, new soundcard, and replaced the system hard drive. I just cloned the old one on to the new one. No reactivation. The only program that gave me shit about it was Photoshop. I had to re-activate that.

[waheed]

i think microsoft allows you to make 5 hardware changes before asking for re-activation.

[Ma_Jie]

Hi budz.

I've inserted another BenQ into my system, which is running Win XP Home SP2, and I haven't had to re-activate.

Cheers,

Jie

[bazooka]

You should be ok to activate without any hassles.

Microsoft usually grants you some leeway with hardware changes.

[mrtristan]

I don't have a link, but Microsoft allows you a certain amount of "points," before you have to reactivate. I think video cards count for 3 points, while the rest of your hardware counts for 1 point each. It was 10 points total, if I remember correctly.

[glockjs]

or if you totally replace the mobo that's an instant reactivate. i dunno though i looked at my computer wrong the other day and it made me reactivate it. to be safe i would have you're final config done that way u dont lose any points and such for the future

[Ma_Jie]

glock: What does the re-activation process entail?

- Jie

[glockjs]

i have to call india now lol. i really need to stop making so many hardware changes. ive probably reinstalled windows about 8 times just in the last week n half. after a couple new mobo's, new hdd, and tryin to oc and finally finding a stable point. i think i only have to call one more time lol

[budz]

Thanks to all of you for the advice. I appreciate it very much. I had been reluctant in using XP PRO or XP anything for that matter. But decided it was time to take the plunge. For now I'll keep the other pcs with WINDOWS 2000 PRO.

I switch out hard drives and dvd burners often so I wanted to make sure I would be safe about the activation. The pc that has XP PRO has 3 dvd burners, 2 internal hard drives, 2 firewire external enclosures with 2 hard drives in it as well.

Mahalo (is the HAWAIIAN WORD for THANK YOU) for all the advice.

[budz]

glockjs wrote

i have to call india now lol. i really need to stop making so many hardware changes. ive probably reinstalled windows about 8 times just in the last week n half. after a couple new mobo's, new hdd, and tryin to oc and finally finding a stable point. i think i only have to call one more time lol

Who's in INDIA?
Does microsoft have their call center for activation in INDIA? Cuz half the time I can't understand those people. I be in trouble then!!! I once called LINKSYS about my router and I had to like yell to the guy that I didn't understand a word of garble he said.

Is it better to do the activation over the internet or phone?

[mrtristan]

I activated my copy of XP Home over the internet, but I haven't had to reactivate. If you can't activate over the internet, you can call.

I'm keeping my home PCs on w2k for the same reasons. After using XP Home at work for a couple of months, I decided not to upgrade. I bought XP, because a card reader was giving me connectivity problems. I figured XP is supposed to be better at plug and play, so I went out and bought it. My reader is still buggy, but at least XP boots a few seconds faster.

[glockjs]

over the internet takes like 2 secs. or used to anyways...it'll only let u do it that way so many times. and if you're like me eventualy you'll be calling from making so many damn changes. it's not all that bad calling them. they just ask u why ur actvating and then read you numbers. they have no personality what so ever though lol

[bazooka]

Is it better to do the activation over the internet or phone?

The net is quick and easy.

It takes only a few seconds.

[handyguy]

If you got a Dell computer, it reactivates in the bios, no need to ever reactivate.

[budz]

If you got a Dell computer, it reactivates in the bios, no need to ever reactivate.

Nope I don't own any DELL computers....I've built my own. Thanks though for the headsup on DELL computers.