reinstalling xp

[crash4419]

ok i know microsoft disabled the OEM's back in march but i need to reformat my ccomp since i do it every once in a while and i am wondering

can i STILL use the system resotre disk that came wit my gateway

or since microsft is gay have to buy a new $150 full version copy

:icon_salu

[cpugeniusmv]

ok i know microsoft disabled the OEM's back in march but i need to reformat my ccomp since i do it every once in a while and i am wondering

can i STILL use the system resotre disk that came wit my gateway

or since microsft is gay have to buy a new $150 full version copy

:icon_salu
If your copy of Windows is legitimate, you will always be able to activate.

If you are required to activate your OEM copy and you have trouble, just give them a call and they will activate it for you.

[crash4419]

what number do i call?

[Jim Morrison]

1-800-bill-gates. Nah jus playing it will give u the number when it ask you to activate.

[ducttapeBigSexy]

Yeah, they're pretty loose with it - I own a legal copy of XP, and I reinstalled it a bunch. It finally said that I ran out of activations (which I don't believe it ever disclosed in the EULA anywhere!), so I ended up having to call them. After asking the few generic questions (only on one computer, etc.), they activated it for me.

Yet another reason why I'm not a fan of m$'s crap....

[CookieS]

I see why they've done the activations, but I think its a waste of time. If your computer crashed and you had to reinstall it a few times, they wouldn't let you. What a lof of bull.

Also for anyone without an XP disc or book, your active serial number should be printed on the back of your pre-installed computer on a sticker on the back of your computer. Took me a while to figure that one out. :/

[Pot Head ®]

I run nothing but OEM I can still activate online , and always will . I dont understand what people mean about this, you get 5 activations a year online and the rest have to be done over the phone , Ive put the same key on probaly 30 computers and still no problems using the same key.