how do i block microsoft from my windows xp?

Question

i changed my motherboard and hard drive i have windows xp even though i entered my product code it still shuts down after 30 days how do i stop microsoft from doing this ?

Answer 1

Microsoft activation can be a pain of a process for computer tinkerers for this very reason. It will and does keep track of hardware on your PC, and if it detects repeated minor changes or a significant single change you will have to phone in and reactivate (logic behind it relates to duplication piracy of course, to verify you haven't installed it on another PC than original). There is nothing arduous about the phone call at all, i have done it a few times now, they just verify some info and bada bing bada boom done

The system is flawed and in the end not as effective as they would hope, but, it is what it is

A mobo and a hard drive are most likely significant enough to trigger the reactivation (as opposed to say a video card which probably wouldn't)

Also they limit the number of times you can reactivate within an "x"-month (3 before it resets I think) period even without hardware changes. I just went through this one myself because I was going through a Linux phase, and I had xp off and on the PC several times while deciding on a distro. Finally it triggered and I had to phone in and verify and just tell them why I had activated so much.

Anyhow, just call the 800 number, have the info it prompts you with ready, they will read you back a long number to enter, and your done. Pretty minor ordeal unless the software is pirated or otherwise non-genuine.

good luck

Answer 2

Reactivate - call Microsoft. They are the only ones who can legally stop your product activation problems.

Answer 3

You have to call them up to activate it (1-800 number on the activation screen). As you have installed and registered this copy of WinXP before, you cannot acivate it over the internet. You have to be by your computer to give them the registration number.