How many times will Windows XP let me recactivate it?

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alphaqup03

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#1 alphaqup03
Member since 2008 • 523 Posts

I have the OEM builders version or whatever, if I change any hardware it makes me reactivate it, I've done this once or twice now. When I switch my HD into my new computer can I just reactivate it and everything will be fine? Is there a limit on how many times you can reactivate before it stops working?

I would also like to reinstall it at one point.

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Maximus43

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#2 Maximus43
Member since 2003 • 118 Posts
An OEM OS is tied to your mobo, so as long as you don't change your mobo, you should be fine. I'm guessing your new computer has a different mobo, so no, your OEM OS will not legally be able to be activated.
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drkstorm37

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#3 drkstorm37
Member since 2009 • 135 Posts
I have had to do this many times because of hard drive and motherboard changes and once you have your xp loaded if it did not register it will give you the 30 day to register option, just click on the register by phone and choose your region, it will give you a phone number to call and a set of numbers if I recall it will be about 40 numbers you will have to read them numbers off to the automated system and it will tell you if it can register your copy, it it cannot then stay on the line and an operator will give you a new set of numbers to enter to register your copy, as long as you tell them that you did a hardware change and that it is only installed on one computer.. I hope this made sence,,
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teddyrob

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#4 teddyrob
Member since 2004 • 4557 Posts

I have had to do this many times because of hard drive and motherboard changes and once you have your xp loaded if it did not register it will give you the 30 day to register option, just click on the register by phone and choose your region, it will give you a phone number to call and a set of numbers if I recall it will be about 40 numbers you will have to read them numbers off to the automated system and it will tell you if it can register your copy, it it cannot then stay on the line and an operator will give you a new set of numbers to enter to register your copy, as long as you tell them that you did a hardware change and that it is only installed on one computer.. I hope this made sence,, drkstorm37

Yes it what I did and if you change a lot of things like you change graphics card or another harddrive you may have to do it again. I did. If it doesn't activate online do the phone up thing.

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Daytona_178

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#5 Daytona_178
Member since 2005 • 14962 Posts
An OEM OS is tied to your mobo, so as long as you don't change your mobo, you should be fine. I'm guessing your new computer has a different mobo, so no, your OEM OS will not legally be able to be activated.Maximus43
If you change mobo then all you need to do is run a windows repair and it works!
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neatfeatguy

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#6 neatfeatguy
Member since 2005 • 4415 Posts

From what I remember, there is no limit with XP. However, you still need a serial key to get your copy activated. You should be able to activate your XP with the serial key that came with it, even upon changing out your MB.

Windows (Microsoft) checks from time to time your serial key to make sure you have a legit copy and to make sure you have a copy that no one else is running with.

All I had to do when I changed out MB with my computer was Windows asked me to verify my serial key online (click on the pop-up icon/box/thing when it showed up on my monitor) and after clicking on the icon, it verfied my copy and a few times after that I know that I've seen my auto Windows Update download manager checking my version/copy of Windows XP to make sure I was the only person running with my current serial key.

If you cannot get your copy to register online, you'll have to call it in....luckily I haven't had to deal with that hassle.

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Makari

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#7 Makari
Member since 2003 • 15250 Posts

I have the OEM builders version or whatever, if I change any hardware it makes me reactivate it, I've done this once or twice now. When I switch my HD into my new computer can I just reactivate it and everything will be fine? Is there a limit on how many times you can reactivate before it stops working?

I would also like to reinstall it at one point.

alphaqup03
It's as many times as Microsoft feels like letting you reactivate. By the text of their EULA, you should simply never be allowed to reactivate an OEM copy (you install it once on one set of hardware and that's it), but they've let it slide for as long as I can remember.