winxp question

[Deagle]

If I install xp on my current comp now and activate it, do I have to activate it again if I:
1-format hd and reinstall
2-build a new comp and want to install xp as system os
Also does xp allow me to install it on a new computer or do I have to use the file transfer wizard to transfer files over to my new comp?

[Budfred]

If you activate it on the current computer and then want to put it on a new computer, you will need to contact MS and get there blessing. You will need to let them know (in a convincing manner) that you will not be using it on any other computer.

If you activate, then reformat and reinstall, you will need to reactivate, but you may be able to do that without contacting MS if you wrote down the activation code they gave you when you activated. You will not be able to use that code to activate on another computer. MS REALLY doesn't want you using it on more than one computer.

[Deagle]

Aww, I should have waited to install xp on my soon-to-be built comp If I didn't activate it then I have 30 days to do it right?
BTW I didn't activate it yet
PS What do you need to activate it?

[Budfred]

You have 30 days to activate it yes. To do the activation, you simply initiate the process (WinXP will prompt you to do this a lot) and follow the process while connected to the web. If you aren't connected, you can also activate by phone and it will tell you how. I would probably wait and install on the new computer if I were you though, stick with WinME on this one unless you are prepared to buy another copy of Windoze.

[Deagle]

A retail store near my house is selling xp pro and win2k pro full version for $159.95 but you have to buy it with a hd or mobo. Since I'll be buying new mobo and hd anyway, which one do you think I should get for my new comp?
Thanx for your opions

[Budfred]

Check out the price on WinXP Home at newegg and keep in mind that you don't really need WinXP Pro unless you are planning on doing some heavy duty networking.

[Deagle]

Well I know that I don't need xp pro but then I always want more then what I need. I can't shop at newegg because my parents don't let me use their credit card anymore
So just imagine if that was you which one would you choose and why?

[Budfred]

I'd choose Win2K Pro (have it actually), but I am not a gamer. I wouldn't bother with WinXP Pro because it really doesn't offer much more than Home except of features for networking. It costs almost twice as much and that just doesn't make sense for me.

BTW, check out neweggs payment options....

[Deagle]

Well I'm an on/off gamer. I don't game like 4 to 6 hrs straight and not one of those l337 guys. I heard that win2k give support for all software versions not unlike xp which you have to download compatible software.
BTW, if I order all the items at once then I only have to pay ship/hand for that 1 time only right? ie order a 9500pro+abit nf7-s+antec sonata case=1 time shipping charge.

[Budfred]

Win2K is generally not as good with games as WinXP and it does need different hardware drivers than Win9x, but because it has been around for a while there are more drivers available. I like it because it is stable, but doesn't require the activation that XP does.

And yes, it is true that you only pay one shipping charge if you order all the things you want at one time, even if they can't ship them together. You also generally don't pay sales tax unless the company is present in your state, although you are supposed to keep track of it and send a check to the state....

[Deagle]

The retail store near my house is actually a good store because their price is not that much different compare to newegg. Take for example a kingston pc2700 256mb OEM is $33 at newegg compare to the store is $45 for the samething but retail. Also with s/h for newegg is about $21 so that's =$54 and if I want support I have to call them.
Well until I can get my own cred card then I'll stick with the store.
Thanx anyway

[Computer Deb]

Believe it or not, I have had the exact same situation as you.

I bought XP and decided to install over my WIN98SE. I knew it was a bad idea. It worked at first, but not long. I had activated WINXP this time.

Before I re-formatting my HD, I moved and/or copied everything important (I keep all my data on my slave HD) and was completely ready for my reinstallation. I did this and had no problem "reactivating."

After a couple of weeks, I realized that my processor was too slow (450 AMD) because I couldn't play any CD's or DVD's without them skipping and poor sound.

So I bought a new MOBO and processor (which I probably would have done anyways sometime this summer). I installed both, with no problem. System started right up and everything seemed fine.

After rebooting a few times, I was getting error messages. I checked the SOYO site to see if there were installation troubleshooting. One was ... "Re-install your operating system!" Imagine that!

Again being impatient, I reformatted and "re-installed" XP. I did have to call for activiation as I got the message that I had hit the maximum number of installations. I called and told exactly what happened, they gave me a number and no problem. I am extremely anal about all of the programs/software that I have. I have kept my original packaging, etc. But Microsoft was pretty cool.

Also, Microsoft provides FREE (yes I said FREE) support for XP installation and two (2) incidents after installation. I have paid many a $35 fee to Microsoft for incidents with previous WIN versions.

Good Luck!

[Computer Deb]

Believe it or not, I have had the exact same situation as you.

I bought XP and decided to install over my WIN98SE. I knew it was a bad idea. It worked at first, but not long. I had activated WINXP this time.

Before I re-formatting my HD, I moved and/or copied everything important (I keep all my data on my slave HD) and was completely ready for my reinstallation. I did this and had no problem "reactivating."

After a couple of weeks, I realized that my processor was too slow (450 AMD) because I couldn't play any CD's or DVD's without them skipping and poor sound.

So I bought a new MOBO and processor (which I probably would have done anyways sometime this summer). I installed both, with no problem. System started right up and everything seemed fine.

After rebooting a few times, I was getting error messages. I checked the SOYO site to see if there were installation troubleshooting. One was ... "Re-install your operating system!" Imagine that!

Again being impatient, I reformatted and "re-installed" XP. I did have to call for activiation as I got the message that I had hit the maximum number of installations. I called and told exactly what happened, they gave me a number and no problem. I am extremely anal about all of the programs/software that I have. I have kept my original packaging, etc. But Microsoft was pretty cool.

Also, Microsoft provides FREE (yes I said FREE) support for XP installation and two (2) incidents after installation. I have paid many a $35 fee to Microsoft for incidents with previous WIN versions.

Good Luck!