How many times can I reinstall windows xp?

Jimbo · 17 Apr 2006 at 10:36

I had a problem the other month where I had to reinstall my copy of windows xp home oem.

The cd key wouldnt work it gave me some message about it was used to much on my pc? I had to ring MS and get a new one, wich funnily enough consists of all numbers and no letters?

Anyway I need to reformat again, will I be ok? I dont want to have to go through the same greif.

See my thread here...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17557189

dirtydog · 17 Apr 2006 at 10:36

AFAIK there is no upper limit.

Jimbo · 17 Apr 2006 at 10:38

Cool thanks, I hope it dosent moan about the activation again lol.

Jimbo · 17 Apr 2006 at 10:40

Last time I got this..

our records have idicated that the number of times you can activate windows with this product key has exceeded.. please enter a new cd key.

:eek:

leezer3 · 17 Apr 2006 at 10:41

Assuming its exactly (Or nearly anyway) the same hardware, find the wpa.dbl file from C:\Windows\System32 & back this up. Put it back in after the format, and as long as the hardware hasn't changed too much you should be fine.

Cheers

-Leezer-

Jimbo · 17 Apr 2006 at 10:45

Great tip!! cheers Leeza3 I'll give that a shot.

dirtydog · 17 Apr 2006 at 10:56

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

Activations on the same PC using the same product key are unlimited.

leezer3 · 17 Apr 2006 at 10:59

Yup, but with OEM keys you get a single internet activation for a period of around 6 mnths (Not entirely sure of the precise time period) & then the counter gets reset.
Any subsequent activations within this period have to be over the phone.

The wpa.dbl method allows you to do away with both the internet & the phone.

-Leezer-

dirtydog · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:00

Sure

Or just reinstall Windows off a ghost image which is what I do, so no activation is needed either.

Jimbo · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:06

Cant use a ghost image as I think theres a problem with my windows files.

Jimbo · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:17

I just had a read up of this method...

What information has been send to Microsoft as part of this activation process ?

- serial number of the system volumne
- MAC adress of the network card
- CD ROM ID
- display adapter ID
- CPU ID
- CPU serial number
- harddisk ID
- IDE controller ID

This information is stored in the file WPA.DBL. It seems not to be possible to transfer
this file from an activated Windows XP installation to a fresh Windows XP installation
on the same system (like: a new disk is installed and Windows XP is re-installed) :
I tried it : as soon I restarted Window XP and it checked the WPA.DBL file copied from
a previous installation, Windows XP expected "fraud" and insisted immedialely on
activation.
If somebody else was able to transfer the WPA.DBL to a new installation and could
avoid the need for re-activation, please inform me on how it was done.

You can exchange a few of these components (like upgrading to a new graphic card or a
new network card), but once too many of components ( I think it is 3) are changed, then the
activation become invalid and you will be asked to activate again.

Does anyone know if it must be done in safe mode?

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/wxpactiv.html

Jimbo · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:21

I just changed my ram from 1gig of corsair to 2 gig of Gskill.. I see problems ahoy. :rolleyes:

Jimbo · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:33

I have just noticed too.. the numbers the guy gave me on the phone are 6 digits and my old key was 5 digits consisting of letters and numbers.

So would I put in the old letters and numbers.. then when it complains put in the new 6 digit numbers?

Failing the wpa.dbl method.

Christ what a nightmare.

Rambaud · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:36

Jimbo said:
I just changed my ram from 1gig of corsair to 2 gig of Gskill.. I see problems ahoy.

I have done quite a few RAM changes over the past few months - different makes, different sizes (512Mb & 1Gb) and amounts (1Gb, 2Gb & 3Gb) with no Activation problems.

BigBoy · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:41

leezer3 said:
Assuming its exactly (Or nearly anyway) the same hardware, find the wpa.dbl file from C:\Windows\System32 & back this up. Put it back in after the format, and as long as the hardware hasn't changed too much you should be fine.

Cheers

-Leezer-

Dosent work since service pack 2

lemonkettaz · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:44

ive used my product key about 5times... no problems. ive changed no hardware though

Jimbo · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:48

BigBoy said:
Dosent work since service pack 2

Damn Microsoft. :mad:

leezer3 · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:55

BigBoy said:
Dosent work since service pack 2

Still works perfectly after SP2 here. :confused:

(Disk is a SP2 integrated version)

Edit: After a quick bit of reading, if the new install is of a different SP level to the old (IE. If you originally activated pre SP2 then reinstalled with SP2 & then attempted to activate) it will then not work, due to changes in the data transmitted to MS.

-Leezer-

Jimbo · 17 Apr 2006 at 11:59

I have sp2 built in to this version too. It's certainly worth a shot mate, if the worse comes to the worst I'll just have to ring em again. :rolleyes:

BigBoy · 17 Apr 2006 at 12:12

leezer3 said:
Still works perfectly after SP2 here. (Disk is a SP2 integrated version)

Edit: After a quick bit of reading, if the new install is of a different SP level to the old (IE. If you originally activated pre SP2 then reinstalled with SP2 & then attempted to activate) it will then not work, due to changes in the data transmitted to MS.

-Leezer-

mmm interesting will have to give that a go