OEM Windows XP Pro thru VMWare requires activation ???

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I recently purchased a new laptop with Windows XP Professional
pre-installed (came with nice and shiny COA sticker affixed to the
bottom). Unfortunately, it came pre-loaded with promotionware and other
bloatware that I really don't want on my computer, so I used the
excellent instructions provided on the following web site:

http://www.4saad.com/WhatsNew/Fresh_XP_Install

to create a clean-install CD and use it to perform a clean install.
According to that web site I should use the original key on the hard
drive, not the one on the sticker. I did just that (when prompted for a
key) and all went well, not asking for activation (it is OEM
pre-activated after all).

Then I realized that what I really want to do is use Windows XP for web
access only (using things that require the unsafe ActiveX, Internet
Explorer, Macromedia Flash and other entertainment oriented
technologies) and use Linux for productive work -- using Linux to host
VMWare (because Linux is more robust and runs VMWare faster than
Windows anyway).

I did just that: Wiped out the hard disk (again), then installed Linux,
then installed VMWare and then installed Windows XP (single copy!)
inside a VMWare virtual machine.

All went well - but now Windows XP asks for activation (which is
strange because the same exact OEM CD used for installing it on same
exact hardware first time did not ask for activation).

What is the explanation for this inconsistent behavior of Windows?

Is it possible that the OEM CD is simply tied to the exact original
hardware configuration (un-virtualized) and that by introducing a
slightly different hardware config (256MB RAM instead of 1GB phsically
installed on the laptop), the OEM pre-activation no longer works?

Thanks,
Alex

.

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