Will this avoid Windows Activation?

Question

I bought a Windows XP Home Full disc from Office Depot for $169 about a year ago. Since then, I've reinstalled Windows about six times on three different computers with only one failed activation. (I had a successful one today!) On that one failed activation, I was stupid enough to tell the MS support official that I installed it over three computers, and he didn't give me the code. The strange thing is, this Office Depot CD was 1-user and should've activated only once. These three computers always validate successfully as well. Am I lucky or what!?!

Additionally, I've restored Windows a bunch of times with the restore CDs that come with the computer. Each time, I need to uninstall crapware, but Windows is already activated. It also validates successfully. I was wondering, if I created full volume ISO DVDs with a disk imaging software like Acronis True Image 11 for each of my three computers, would I have free XP Home reinstallations for life?

If you're wondering why I reformat so much, then its because I'm always changing my freeware software. Whenever I uninstall a program, I feel like there's still some dirt left on my skin. I remember when my old eMachines T1100 only took one little green bar at XP boot-up to boot. About every six months, I reformat, reinstall, and reactivate Windows to get speedier performance. I also love buying RAM! It really does help my computer.

Answer 1

Just go to 'C:\Windows\System32' and look for a file called 'wpa.dbl'. Copy this file to a floppy or cd-rom. After reinstalling Windows XP, copy the wpa.dbl file back into the same folder as above and restart your computer.


Windows XP tries to register your copy of Windows at Microsoft's web site when installing XP. To avoid registering your copy of XP with Microsoft and force it into thinking you have completed the registration process, follow these steps:
1. Physically disconnect your modem
2. Turn on your computer
3. Start Windows XP Setup and answer 'No' when asked
to use 'Windows Dynamic Update'
4. After the installation is complete, avoid setting
up your internet connection when asked, instead
click on 'Skip'
5. Click on the Start button and select Run. Type
in 'regsrv32 -u regwizc.dll' and click OK then
click OK again to close the confirmation dialog
box which unregisters this dll file
6. Click on the Start button and select Run
7. type in 'regedit' and click OK
8. Look for this string: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\
Microsoft\
WindowsNT\CurrentVersion
9. Right-click on the 'RegDone' string and select
'Modify' then type 1 in the 'Value Data' box,
then exit the Registry
10. Right-click on the 'Internet Explorer' Desktop icon
and select 'Tools'. Click on 'Internet Properties'
and change the default home page to anything
except any Microsoft or MSN web site
11. Reboot your system
12. Right after XP reboots, but before Windows loads,
be sure to reconnect your modem

If you don't know your key code and you need it, go to Major Geeks.com and download Rock XP. It will set off every virus program you have, but use it, then uninstall it, if it's bothersome
Good luck.

Answer 2

The answer to your question is a lttle complicated in that.
The older versions of Windows XP would allow users to download there copy of XP on several computers, even though Legaly it was and is Illegal. The Software Licence you didn't read is for ONE Computer.
It is OK to redownload over and over on that same computer.
Since the advent of the new KEY CODE on the Newest Microsoft Software. You are not able to use it except on a single computer. Period.
So far it sounds like you have gotten lucky.
Don

Answer 3

After 30 days, it will not let you do anything without activating it, so you'd have to reinstall windows every 30 days to keep using it.