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XP Activation - relaxed?

WildW

WildW

Senior member
Have Microsoft relaxed the rules on XP Activation recently? Specifically, this is now the second time I've moved an OEM XP licence from a dying motherboard (now scrapped) to a new one. Yes, I realise this is probably contrary to the EULA, but I don't see why my XP licence should vapourize just because my hardware has gone bad, it's still installed on one machine.

I was sure that in the old days you weren't allowed to move an OEM XP Home licence to a new motherboard, or perhaps you could with a phone call to MS, but on two occasions now I've just installed on the new hardware and activated over the internet without it batting an eyelid. Maybe because XP is being phased out?

One machine I did this with I retained the processor, hard disk, etc, and literally just replaced the motherboard. On another though the hardware changed completely (from Athlon 64 to Intel Pentium M on Intel chipset, with not a single bit of hardware carried over.)

Just curious really - I don't think I'm a pirate, it's not like I'm installing one licence on multiple machines. Has anyone else noticed this, or has it always been this way?
 
Activation has always been fairly liberal unless you are activating the same key multiple times within a relatively short period of time. Royalty OEM keys get more scrutiny. Since 2005 or so, online activation of royalty OEM keys is automatically blocked and will require a call to MS Activation Support. Thereafter, the block may get reset or lifted for one or two subsequent activations, then will be blocked again.
 
MY OEM copy that I bought from Newegg when XP was released never passes the online activation. I have to call it in every time. I have never had a hassle getting a new installation ID from the MS reps.
 
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