Backing up activation files.

[de8212]

Got a brand new Dell laptop with XP pro. I want to format the drvie and partition, etc. Through some reading I have found out that there are 2 files that need to be copied from this install and paste into the new install. I can find wpa.dbl but I can't find wpa.bak. I have all the files set to display and NOT be hidden. I am certain the current copy is activated/. I did it myself a few days ago. This is a legit version of XP, no cracks, etc.

I know it's not a big deal to activate but I have had to call MS several times on my main pc with XP and it does get to be a hassle so I want to avoid it if possible.
Anyone know wehre the other file is?

 

[n0cmonkey]

That isn't necessary for a reinstall. Activate over the internet, it's easy.

 

[de8212]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
That isn't necessary for a reinstall. Activate over the internet, it's easy.

I know it isn't necessary. I have activated my main pc severla times but after a few it is necessary to call. I am trying to avoid going through this.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Don't reinstall frequently. That's a start.

 

[de8212]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Don't reinstall frequently. That's a start.

Why do you enter a thread when you do not know the answer. Oh, I guess that's how you got 37000 posts.
Did you mis-read my first post. This is a brand new laptop. i want to get rid of some of the junk dell installs. But really, it's none of your buisiness.

 

[Crusty]

If it's a brand new laptop then you won't have to call Microsoft to activate it. Just reinstall

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: MCrusty
If it's a brand new laptop then you won't have to call Microsoft to activate it. Just reinstall

:thumbsup:

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Yep True story.

 

[de8212]

Yes, I am aware that I won't have to make the call this time. I just think it's a good idea to be able to back the files up. It only takes a second and it will avoid the hassle of having to call in the future if/when I have to reinstall.
Furthermore I just wanted to know why I don't have the one file.

Obviously I don't think anyone knows the answer so I'm sure I will just go through the normal activation this time and Ghost the drive so it'll be even easier down the road.

 

[Navid]

Even though you find it on the internet that you can copy those files and after a re-install you can restore those files and you will not need to activate, that is not true anymore!

When Windows XP first came out, it was possible to do that. Believe me; I have tried what you are talking about. It does not work anymore. You can also find what I just pointed out on the internet.

Edit:
I create an image of my OS drive using Drive Image right after I activate. I also create images in different stages of installation of drivers and programs. later, I can always restore an image and not have to activate.

I know what you mean. Why activate if you don't have to?

 

[n0cmonkey]

wpa.bak is probably a backup of the first file (that's generally what .bak means). So if it hasn't been very long since you got the laptop, it probably has not been created yet. Just a guess, but you have all the answers already. Don't you?

If you don't reinstall (which you shouldn't have to do with non-beta OSes more than like once per year barring major hardware failure), you won't have to reactivate. Problem solved.

 

[de8212]

Navid
Thanks for the answer. Like I said, it's no big deal and I wanted to create an image anyway. I just found it strange I have both of the files on my main pc.
This laptop is for work and I can already see that I will run alot of different programs and sometimes it's best to just have a clean install.

I also do incremental images with my main machine. Actaully I need to probably restore an image before too long.

monkey, you have been absolutely no help. You had to start out with something very similar to an authentic answer but then you ruined it by being a smart ass. Glad I could help you get your post count up.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: de8212
Navid
Thanks for the answer. Like I said, it's no big deal and I wanted to create an image anyway. I just found it strange I have both of the files on my main pc.
This laptop is for work and I can already see that I will run alot of different programs and sometimes it's best to just have a clean install.

I also do incremental images with my main machine. Actaully I need to probably restore an image before too long.

monkey, you have been absolutely no help. You had to start out with something very similar to an authentic answer but then you ruined it by being a smart ass. Glad I could help you get your post count up.

Check it in a day or two, see if the file appears. Check the creation dates. I'd be interested if it appears.

If it's for work, the admins there should have images ready for you anyhow so you won't have to worry about reinstalling. Even after installing plenty of software, if you take care of your machine you shouldn't need to reinstall more often than hard drives fail.

 

[de8212]

I'll keep an eye out for it. And we don't let the IT dept. near our machines. They are pretty incompetant at even trivial things. My last Dell lasted 4.5 years and they never touched it. I like it better that way.
Thanks monkey.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: de8212
I'll keep an eye out for it. And we don't let the IT dept. near our machines. They are pretty incompetant at even trivial things. My last Dell lasted 4.5 years and they never touched it. I like it better that way.
Thanks monkey.

Have them fired if they're that worthless.

 

[nweaver]

you complain about the worhless IT, yet you worry about too many activations?

MS resets your online activations every 6-12 months (or so it would seem to me). At least for the retail XP on my MSDN it was that way, I was calling in, stopped using it for a while and then I was able to activate online.

 

[imported_Neeraj]

I have done this many times and it STILL works, but wpa.bak is not the file! It's wpa.dbl. You don't need to use wpa.bak.

Lately, I had an issue, where I installed a new graphics card. Upon restart, Windows XP said that there has been a signifiacnt hardware change and I need to reactivate. I tried over the Internet and it said I need to phone them. I didn't.

I had a Ghost backup file which I make every week - and it helps SO MUCH. I opened it in its Image Browser and extracted wpa.dbl from C:\WINDOWS\system32. I'm not sure if its hidden in there so do the necessary settings.

I just extracted it from the backup and i clicked on Overwrite. Upon restart, I never got an activation notification. I have done this many times now. Although, now Windows does allow me to actvate over the net for some reason, but this way works and is hassle free.

 

[de8212]

I'll try that Neeraj. But a co-worker of mine got the exact same laptop at the same time and he tried to just backup the wpa.dbl but said it didn't work.
And since it's a laptop the hardware should pretty much never change. Like I said, I'll give it a hot and it it doesn't work then it's not a problem. Noce I Ghost it then I don't ever forsee me having to install XP again. I also made a Ghost of it the day I got it if I ever want to go back to how Dell set it up.

thanks everyone.

 

[Raincity]

Originally posted by: de8212
I'll try that Neeraj. But a co-worker of mine got the exact same laptop at the same time and he tried to just backup the wpa.dbl but said it didn't work.
And since it's a laptop the hardware should pretty much never change. Like I said, I'll give it a hot and it it doesn't work then it's not a problem. Noce I Ghost it then I don't ever forsee me having to install XP again. I also made a Ghost of it the day I got it if I ever want to go back to how Dell set it up.

thanks everyone.

Neeraj may not have SP1 or SP2 and is probably the reason why the wpa.dbl trick still works. I sympathize with you and I personally find it a hassle to do phone activations.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Raincity

Originally posted by: de8212
I'll try that Neeraj. But a co-worker of mine got the exact same laptop at the same time and he tried to just backup the wpa.dbl but said it didn't work.
And since it's a laptop the hardware should pretty much never change. Like I said, I'll give it a hot and it it doesn't work then it's not a problem. Noce I Ghost it then I don't ever forsee me having to install XP again. I also made a Ghost of it the day I got it if I ever want to go back to how Dell set it up.

thanks everyone.

Neeraj may not have SP1 or SP2 and is probably the reason why the wpa.dbl trick still works. I sympathize with you and I personally find it a hassle to do phone activations.

This is the truth. The wpa backup files no longer work after SP1a.

 

[imported_Neeraj]

Originally posted by: timswim78

Originally posted by: Raincity

Originally posted by: de8212
I'll try that Neeraj. But a co-worker of mine got the exact same laptop at the same time and he tried to just backup the wpa.dbl but said it didn't work.
And since it's a laptop the hardware should pretty much never change. Like I said, I'll give it a hot and it it doesn't work then it's not a problem. Noce I Ghost it then I don't ever forsee me having to install XP again. I also made a Ghost of it the day I got it if I ever want to go back to how Dell set it up.

thanks everyone.

Neeraj may not have SP1 or SP2 and is probably the reason why the wpa.dbl trick still works. I sympathize with you and I personally find it a hassle to do phone activations.

This is the truth. The wpa backup files no longer work after SP1a.

It DOES work! I have SP2, everything is properly installed. Replacing wpa.dbl with the previous one and restarting stops Windows asking to activate again. I have done this many times now. My Windows is also Genuine.

Give it a try and see what happens. Use Ghost and do an overwrite. Make sure the activation windows is closed (the icon may still be in the Notification Area though and that's OK). And then restart - it shouldn't ask anymore. If it does, I don't know why mine works