Reinstalling Windows XP on New Hard Drive

davetrousers

I would like to buy a new hard drive for my computer and reinstall Windows XP on it.

My question is how does this stand in terms of the licensing? I have a (legit) copy of XP which I bought 3 years ago, which when I installed I (obviously) 'activated' it. So if I install the same version of XP on a new HDD will I be allowed to 'activate' it for a 2nd time?

LuciferTDark

Yes you can, I've done it myself after buying a new hard drive.

malcolm000

I had a similar problem when my old HDD failed - fitted a new hard disc and simply re-installed XP. Had no problems even when it comes to authenication of XP for updates purposes.
Not a computer expert but remember reading on some forum that the info regarding Xp recognition is stored elsewhere on the computer.

MercilessKiller

I heard that you're allowed 5 activations max as long as no more than 1 is in use.

Once you've passed 5 you have to ring up to confirm you've formatted old copies to be able to re-activate.

Could have just been a rumour or something, but you can definitely activate legally more than once if its only in use once

loudcox

You should be able to activate the software up to five times.

If you want to keep your existing setup exactly as is, then consider using a trial (fully-featured) version of something like Acronis TrueImage to create a backup of your existing system, which can then be restored to the new drive. It _may_not_ require reactivation at this point. You'll need a CD/DVD writer, or some free space on the current hard drive which TrueImage can use to make a backup.

Otherwise, just use the files and settings transfer wizard to transfer the files across. Make sure you run Windows Update to ensure you've the most up to date version.

davetrousers

Thanks for the fast responses chaps

MercilessKiller

loudcox wrote: »

You should be able to activate the software up to five times.

See? I didn't make the number up :rotfl:

LuciferTDark

I'm not so sure about the 5 activations limit as I've reinstalled Windows XP a fair few more than 5 times & never been asked to phone Microsoft. Maybe I'm doing something wrong (right) that causes the limit to reset itself.

MercilessKiller

Maybe its just a soft limit, and the hard limit is 10 or something.

superscaper

MercilessKiller wrote: »

Maybe its just a soft limit, and the hard limit is 10 or something.

Well I think it's certainly about 5 for hardware changes. I've had to phone Microsoft up a couple of times when the activation limit has been reached and I've never been refused and always found them helpful. MS are one of the few foreign call centres that I've had good experiences with. Also it's a freephone number. It's tedious reading out all the registration code etc but they always seem happy to legitimately reactivate my serial number for me.

sco0ter

Had to call as well a few times and never had a problem.. MS seem to be excellent this way