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XP activation

M

MDme

Senior member
Would really appreciate help: I bought a raptor and reinstalled my win XP on it, of course windows XP wants to be reactivated. But I don't want to reactivate anymore because I know that eventually I will run out of "activations" and be forced to call MS for activating purposes. I still have my previous system (old hard drive) intact and have tried copying the wpa.dbl files to system32 but still it's asking me to activate. i've heard there is a way to avoid reactivation....any inputs??? I have a windows license and an original XP, I just don't want to go through this stupid process of reactivation since my system hasn't changed (except for the HDD). thanks.

 
You can't. Windows checks your list of hardware to see if there was any changes. If there were I believe two or more changes, like different ram and hard drive, it would have you call in. More than likely what will happen when you go to activate is it will go through without any problems and you won't have to call it. Worst comes to worst you just have to call a 1800 # and talk to someone. All they ask is if it has been activated before, and if it's installed on any other computers. You have no problems, as long as it's a legal/legit copy.
 
Originally posted by: MDme
Would really appreciate help: I bought a raptor and reinstalled my win XP on it, of course windows XP wants to be reactivated. But I don't want to reactivate anymore because I know that eventually I will run out of "activations" and be forced to call MS for activating purposes. I still have my previous system (old hard drive) intact and have tried copying the wpa.dbl files to system32 but still it's asking me to activate. i've heard there is a way to avoid reactivation....any inputs??? I have a windows license and an original XP, I just don't want to go through this stupid process of reactivation since my system hasn't changed (except for the HDD). thanks.
Click to expand...

Did youu try it step by step, like this? http://www.windowsnetworking.com/kbase/...laneous/BackupRestoreXPActivation.html
 
i am aware that you have to have the same hardware or at least very minor changes. BUT is adding a new hard drive or using a different hard drive really that different to require activation??? I tried the link you gave me and it didn't work either. it's still bugging me about activation.
 
You may not have to call Microsoft, and even if you do, it's a painless process.

You shouldn't need to reformat that often anyway, so I don't see what the big deal is.
 
I don't reformat that often. maybe once every 3-6 months. but i heard you only have like 5 reactivations and that calling MS and getting some insane crazy number you need to input to make it work/activate. I just think it's a pain in the a** to get software you buy to work. sigh.
 
Originally posted by: MDme
I don't reformat that often. maybe once every 3-6 months. but i heard you only have like 5 reactivations and that calling MS and getting some insane crazy number you need to input to make it work/activate. I just think it's a pain in the a** to get software you buy to work. sigh.
Click to expand...

Why in the world are you formatting every 3-6 months? I haven't formatted in over a year and a half.
 
well actually, it's closer to 6 months than 3 coz i reformat about 1-2x a year. I just want windows to be tiptop and clean always. so do you have any suggestions on the XP activation thing?? thanks.
 
Use Acronis True Image, and backup your entire C:\ partition, then when you format, insert the True Image DVD, and it's back to original in like 2 minutes. Of course, back it up on a clean install, for it to be "new" again.
 
Originally posted by: MDme
Would really appreciate help: I bought a raptor and reinstalled my win XP on it, of course windows XP wants to be reactivated. But I don't want to reactivate anymore because I know that eventually I will run out of "activations" and be forced to call MS for activating purposes. I still have my previous system (old hard drive) intact and have tried copying the wpa.dbl files to system32 but still it's asking me to activate. i've heard there is a way to avoid reactivation....any inputs??? I have a windows license and an original XP, I just don't want to go through this stupid process of reactivation since my system hasn't changed (except for the HDD). thanks.
Click to expand...

This is what I do: Make a clean installation of windows XP, Install all updates and the latest Service pack, Install all of the programs that you would normally install, and update them also, virus signatures etc.... Then Scan the system for Virus' etc... Defragment etc... when you have the system tweaked to perfection. Activate it via internet or phone etc... After it is activated use Acronis True Image to back it all up to a DVD + or - R disk.

Then the next time you want a pristine system you can restore it to this exact point in time activation and all... Several advantages to this:

1. No re activation required, unless you change alot of hardware, One hard disk will not trigger the reactivation flag.

2. Faster than reinstalling all of the applications one at a time.

3. Much better than circumventing the system with illegal means. There are patches and cracks that will get around the activation but you never can tell what little extras will be piggy backing in with them.

pcgeek11



 
Originally posted by: MDme
well actually, it's closer to 6 months than 3 coz i reformat about 1-2x a year. I just want windows to be tiptop and clean always. so do you have any suggestions on the XP activation thing?? thanks.
Click to expand...
actually that would be every 6-12 months...
if we average that out and what you say about 5 activations is true, that'll last you for 3 years 9 months...
Really, if your install is legal you shouldn't worry about it, and just call MS. it isn't exactly a strenuous process.

Josh
 
Originally posted by: MrChad
You may not have to call Microsoft, and even if you do, it's a painless process.
Click to expand...

I have had to call them a few times. No biggie. The last time I called, it was some automated system. Took about 10 minutes.
 
That takes a bit of exploring to find the relevant answer. It is way down near the bottom.

If you have an academic or corporate edition of XP - this is a non-problem. As for re-formatting even twice a year to have a "clean Windows installation," - that is largely a myth, and not necessary. It is not hard to keep XP clean and lithe through routine optimization, registry scrubbing, and getting rid of useless file.

I only reformat when I have to because of a new computer or mobo. My Windows stays lean and mean always because I keep it that way. It's not hard.
 

Do NOT fvck with your wpa.dbl, wpa.bak or any of the wpa executables. You're gonna fool around and cold lock yourself out of your OS. At worst product activation by phone takes a few minutes. A call to MS tech support to fix your busted wpa won't be as painless.

Just do the activation and be done with it. It took you longer to post this thread and read the comments.
 
I thought wpa.dbl had to be put in system32 folder before the activation screen popped up during setup by using the safemode to avoid this activation issue.

Dunno, what might have happened...... Using a volume liscense version has its advantages.......
 
Originally posted by: letter rip
I called for someone last week. Takes a few minutes. no big deal.
Click to expand...

Seriously, I called last night, talked to a guy for 2 mins. He asked if it was the only place the OS was installed, I said yes, he gave me a registration id and it was done. They don't even take your name/address/info, it's very quick.
 
JUST CALL MS.

It'll take all of 5 minutes, less time than it took for you to create this thread and read the replies.
 
Originally posted by: asadasif
I thought wpa.dbl had to be put in system32 folder before the activation screen popped up during setup by using the safemode to avoid this activation issue.

Dunno, what might have happened...... Using a volume liscense version has its advantages.......
Click to expand...

It's also insanely expensive.
 
I cannot understand all the FUD about activation. It's a painless process that I've done many times when testing hardware/software revisions - never had a problem
 
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