Windows xp oem

[jay_bo]

How many times can you reformat your hard drive using a windows xp oem version.

 

[KSoD]

You can format as many times you want. But to install is a different story. Some OEM's are a max of 3 installs before they start to ask for serials and activation. while others are 10.

 

[jay_bo]

how do i find out which 1 it is then but dont you have to install windows if you format your hard drive

 

[MrCoffee]

you have to reactivate on every install unless you backup the activation files. You have to reactivate after 3 hardware changes, you're reactivation will be blocked after 10 hardware changes and you have to call microsoft.
This is approximate as its just my experiance.

 

[jay_bo]

So if i back-up the activation files then it wont need to be activated again. So how do i back-up the activation files. What do i say to microsoft then, will i have to pay 4 a new serial number

 

[Alvin.C]

Hello,

You wont have to pay any additional fees.

All that you'd have to do is call the freephone / toll-free number which Microsoft provides and activate your copy of XP over the telephone.

 

[MrCoffee]

So if i back-up the activation files then it wont need to be activated again. So how do i back-up the activation files. What do i say to microsoft then, will i have to pay 4 a new serial number

the backup only works if you hardware stays the same

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/kb.../Miscellaneous/BackupRestoreXPActivation.html