I was just wondering if anyone else had come across the same problem I have where I apparently have installed and used my windows XP product key too many times, and am unable to now validate my copy of XP over the net, but rather had to phone up to validate?
If so, could you over come this, or will I simply either have to stop re-formatting my computer or buy a new key?
And finally does anyone else think this is a rip off, after all surely if you buy a legit copy of a programme, it should be up to you how many times you re-install?

Hi

plenty of times, but at the end of the day its your key your copy of the OS, as long as you dont use it on multiple PC's then your within your rights to activate as many times as you like.

i think there was something about a 120 day timer, if you try to reactivate to many times within that period it asks for phone validation.

oh yeah i now use ghost, install the OS update it etc etc then make a ghost copy of it, hey presto 10 minutes to restore and no more messing with activation.

Just a FYI post

Do not do the below if you have already successfully activated

Info on extending 30 day Xp activation (to allow 120 days)
http://www.techspot.com/vb/post662978-10.html

Info on extending Vista activation:
First open the command prompt with the admin rights.. Just by right clicking on command prompt in the start menu and click on "run as admin" and type this in:
rundll32 slc.dll, SLRearmwindows
Then hit enter and reboot...


Imaging is an excellent alternative to running the normal Windows Setup

Programs that can be used for "Imaging"
http://www.techspot.com/vb/post664079-2.html

Thankyou both for you're help and advice, I will look into this ghosting thing.