Re: Activating Windows XP Home

Dave wrote: 
Hi

I have a query with reference to how many times we can activate our copy of XP before we need to call Microsoft.

I bought a genuine copy of Windows XP Home Edition (VRMHOEM_EN) last October 2004 and installed it on my computer. Everything was running smoothly right up until the present time when I decided to upgrade my Intel CPU from a 2.40C GHz to a 3.20E GHz and also installed 2 x 512MB DDR 400 RAM.

I formatted my computer a couple of days ago and installed a fresh copy of XP Home and after installation, an automated message appeared on my computer saying something like, my hardware had changed and that I needed to verify and activate my copy of XP. I fully realise that making major hardware changes would probably need me to reactivate XP so I clicked on the link in the system tray and activated Windows online, without any problems.

I then encountered a few niggly problems with the computer and after sorting them out, I decided a fresh copy of XP would be best so I reinstalled Windows using my CD. I then clicked on the activation link and thought that activation would be over in a few minutes but how wrong I was.

I got a message say something like, according to Microsoft, you have exceeded the number of times that you can activate with the key and that I would need to call Microsoft. So I did so using the number given for the UK and after trying to explain to the M$ representative (CSR I think), that having only activated my copy of XP twice since October 2004, I certainly did not think that I had exceeded the number of times I could activate Windows, but he was not really interested and after giving me another set of numbers, my copy of XP was activated.

He then gave me another number to call, saying that they may be able to help with my concerns as to how may times we can activate a copy of XP before having to call Microsoft.

I really feel that after only activating my copy of XP twice, I have not exceeded the amount of times I can activate XP and that the message i got saying that I had done so, was incorrect and so, I would appreciate some input from Microsoft Windows professionals and would like to know what the total amount of times a customer can activate their copy of XP before having to call the activation line. I do realise that if I change the CPU for example, I would probably get some sort of message from M$ (which I did).

Regards

Dave





The error message you received is misleading. What it really means is that you've activated "too many times within the last 120 days." I think Microsoft should fix this message, but it is, in reality, a relatively minor "cosmetic" issue, so they're probably giving more weight to some silly cost-benefit analysis more than they are their customers' confusion.

    There's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall and
activate the same WinXP license on the same PC.  Nor is there ever a
charge.  Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an evaluation
license) ever expire.  If it's been more than 120 days  since you last
activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able to
activate via the Internet without problem.  If it's been less, you
might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

    Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


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