oem xp question

[SooTyLaD]

right... just a quick one...

i've just installed my OEM XP (SP2) on my new setup... and have two questions...

if i was to reinstall tomorrow, how would the activation thing work?

and secondly, if (once i do a clean install) i create an acronis true image exactly how i want, THEN what would happen regarding activation?

thanks oh windows gurus of ocuk

 

[t31os]

Usually the reactivation works 2 or 3 times online, then generally a phonecall to MS is needed, this is automated now though and you rarely have to speak to anyone. Sometimes though it will still activate online just fine.

As to the image question, i wouldnt know..... i always use my XP disk slipstreamed with SP2 and go from there. Activation takes no longer then 5 minutes anyway so i don't see a problem with it, and its even less then a minute if it activates using the online activation.

I'd guess that if the image is made before activation it will require activation each time, where as if made after then perhaps not, but i'm not sure of the validity of your license using that method since a different hardware ID is produced with each install and activation.

 

[dagwoood]

I'd guess that if the image is made before activation it will require activation each time, where as if made after then perhaps not, but i'm not sure of the validity of your license using that method since a different hardware ID is produced with each install and activation.

If you have made an image of your drive state after activation, you can restore this image and you don't need to re-activate as long as you haven't made too many hardware changes. If you haven't changed your hardware at all, then re-validating Windows isn't an issue.

I keep an image file made after activation and every so often roll my system back and just install the s/w I use; keeps my system nice an fast