WinXP product activation and harware upgrades

[Calundronius]

I have XP Home addition on y PC, and am planning on replacing my CPU, motherboard, and RAM. Since this is a pretty major hardware change, I'm guessing XP will want me to reactivate. Has anyone been through this before? I was wondering if it would cost money to reactivate. I hoping it won't, since the upgrade is expensive enough, but I wouldn't be suprised if it does.

 

[Trashman]

I believe...don't quote me...but, you can re-activate XP up to 6X...this being your 1st, you'll end up calling MS and get a new activation #, it's a toll free # and doesn't cost ya, they just wanna know that you upgraded your system...as much as it sux to have to call, it's not as bad as i first thought.

 

[JW310]

There's a limit to the number of times you can re-activate Windows XP?? First I've heard of that.... But it's simple to re-activate once you do change the hardware. If you have a broadband internet connection you should be able to reactivate online, otherwise it's a simple call to an automated service for activating windows. You call the number, it asks you to put in the hardware ID generated by Windows, and once it's verified, it'll give you the code to put in to re-activate.

JW

 

[Calundronius]

OK, new question. Am I going to need the serial number that came with the box? It's about 100 miles away from me right now, at my college, and the admininstration is being a pain and won't let me get into my stored stuff anyway. So I'm hoping I'll just to connect to microsoft and be done with it, 'cause otherwise I'm going to have to break into my own room at school. :disgust:

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Am I going to need the serial number that came with the box?

No.. Try an online activation first, and if that don't work then you will have to call. Actually a pretty painless operation albeit annoying.

 

[Whitney]

If it won't let you re-activate on-line, then you will get a 42 digit number!!!

That you will have to give the guy when you call in.

He, in return will give you a new 42 digit number which you will have to plug into the boxes on your screen.

The worst part is trying to get all the numbers straight.

I wasn't even on hold for more than a couple seconds. I asked the guy if that was all he did, and he said no, he did a few other things for microsoft too.

I asked him if there were many people calling in to do this, and he kind of laughed and choked at the same time and said something like "Oh yeah," hahaha "We do get just a few people calling in." hahaha.

He didn't actually sound too happy.

 

[lilnnjaboy]

you do not need to get a new re-activation code. What they meant by re-activated your windows is you can use that first activation code up to 4 or 5 times I think. Once you install that many times, you are required to call into Microsoft and request a new activation code which will last you another 4 installs.

 

[HdwGuy]

just add my two cents worth. I have had to reactivate two times in the last month. Once for a new motherboard, totaly hosed XP had to install from scratch (chipset change from an Intel BX to a VIA Pro266). Then two weeks later my Primary hard drive failed! The first time I did it online. The second time I was redirected to call MS and after informing of my HD failure was given a new code with out delay! Btw you have 30 days to do this before it stops working! I have upgraded a video card and it caused no reactivation. If you change your NIC I have heard you will have to reactivate!

 

[Calundronius]

That's a big relief, I was afraid I'd have to call and argue with about 5 different people just to get the stupid XP Home Edition Box. Thanks guys!

 

[gosstech]

Here is what I have experienced.

I got a new case and threw everything in it. A couple of the PCI cards where not put back in the same slots and I had to reactivate. I went to do it on the phone and it failed so I talked to a Customer Service Rep. He gave me the numbers to reactivate and I explained to him that I constantly upgrade and change parts in my computer. He explained that I can reactivate as many times as I need, there is no set limit. Now I don't know if this is 100% true and he was telling me this just to get me off the phone or what, but if he is right you can reactivate has many time as you want.