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XP Product Key Lifespan ? RRS feed

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    Im not sure what technical details might be needed, but if anybody could enlighten me as to why a new installation of WinXP Pro (which i have re-installed with no problems in the past) has apparently got a Product Key that has been used too many times ?

     

    I cannot Activate my copy of Windows XP with the key supplied on the box, this is the message i receive while trying to Activate Windows :

     

    'According to our records, the number of times you can activate Windows with this product key has been exeeded'

     

    It continues to tell me that the product key can be found on the back of the Windows XP CD folder, which it is and is the key i have used.

     

    So, due to the fact that i have rebuilt my PC with a new MB and every time my HD is full of rubbish that it can do with a clean installation of XP, i have run out of times i can use my Product Key ??

     

    This seems very strange to me, you dont buy a car and after you have opened and closed the doors 500 times it locks its self permanantly does it ?

     

    I have 24 days left to activate windows, then im going to have to format and completly re-install my copy of XP every 30 days ?

     

    Thank you for any help.

    Sunday, April 1, 2007 10:13 AM

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    Stu6723,

    You are permitted to reinstall and activate XP as many times as you want to, as long as your use of XP maintains compliance with the End User Licensing Agreement (EULA).

    After a certain number of activations within a certain time period, automatic online activation will be suspended, which will require that you do a Telephone Activation.  To do so, rerun the Activate Windows Wizard and select "Activate my product using the telephone".  Follow the phone prompts.

    If the automated telephone activation is not accepted, you will be offered the option to speak with a live activation representative.  Choose that option.  The rep will ask a few questions for the purpose of confirming that you are still using your license for XP in accordance with the EULA.  If so, the rep will issue an activation code for you to enter into the Activation Wizard.

    Sunday, April 1, 2007 3:48 PM