how do i activate windows xp?

[Schadenfroh]

i have windows xp pro. when i was installing it, i was not connected to the internet, so it could not have activated itself. it never said anything about activation. not even the phone or internet activation. I even have SP1 on it. i went thru all the help files and none of the things it says to do to activate it exist on my system. i heard there is like a 30 day till death of your system if you dont activate it. do certain versions of windows xp not have activation? could it be becuase its oem? thnx

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
i have windows xp pro. when i was installing it, i was not connected to the internet, so it could not have activated itself. it never said anything about activation. not even the phone or internet activation. I even have SP1 on it. i went thru all the help files and none of the things it says to do to activate it exist on my system. i heard there is like a 30 day till death of your system if you dont activate it. do certain versions of windows xp not have activation? could it be becuase its oem? thnx

If your not activated you'll have an activation icon in the clock part of the tray (the icon is of two little keys). If that is not there then your done (some OEM's silently do it in the background when they detect internet access as I recall)

Bill

 

[Schadenfroh]

never saw the keys, and i had no internet access. so it does not have activation and it wont die?

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Click "start", go to "programs"> "accessories" > "system tools" > "activate windows". If you are activated, it will let you know.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
never saw the keys, and i had no internet access. so it does not have activation and it wont die?

If you are not activated, within the last week before it dies, It will ask you to activate before it boots into Windows.