Where are the files I need to copy to avoid phone activation

[Xu]

I going to reformat soon, but I remember having to phone activate last time
I did so. I know I have to activate no matter what, but isn't there some
files I can copy off my HDD and then put back after I format so that the
activation is online and automatic?

 

[DL]

no

 

[David Vair]

As long as you have Internet access Windows can be activated online.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The files you are referring are WPA.DBL and WPA.BAK.
However this only works on a Repair Installation.
Those files are worthless on a Clean Installation as you are doing.
Also see:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

 

[Xu]

Hi Jupiter. You are right. That is what I was talking about. But if my
computer hardware has not changed, shouldn't these files still be valid? I
thought all MS was keeping was a record of my hardware configuration. What
about if I clone my HDD?

 

[sandman112]

a quick search on google come up with this

http://netsecurity.about.com/od/windowsxp/qt/aaqtwinxp0829.htm

looks like you can do a clean install on the SAME system with the same
hardware and it should be ok

 

[Alias]

a quick search on google come up with this

http://netsecurity.about.com/od/windowsxp/qt/aaqtwinxp0829.htm

looks like you can do a clean install on the SAME system with the same
hardware and it should be ok

I've done it a number of times and activated online no probs. I've also
changed hardware (video card, NIC, processor and RAM) and then did a
clean install and no prob either.

 

[Alias]

I going to reformat soon, but I remember having to phone activate last time
I did so. I know I have to activate no matter what, but isn't there some
files I can copy off my HDD and then put back after I format so that the
activation is online and automatic?

Just curious, what happened when you phone activated the last time?

 

[sandman112]

Just curious, what happened when you phone activated the last time?

i've formated and reinstalled a number of times and i also used to
reactivate online each time with no problems, i did however have trouble the
last time i tried it, i ended up on the phone activation line, you get some
recorded thing asking you to type in a load of digits on the phone keypad
.... this then came back as not working either. I was then put thru to some
service center somewhere (not a very english accent) and he then asked for
the first 5 digits of the product ID, put me on hold for 5 mins then came
back and read out a code i had to type in to activate.

i did ask why the online activation failed but he didnt have a clue and
didnt really seem to intrested either.

i will back up these files and see how it goes next time i reinstal

 

[Alias]

i've formated and reinstalled a number of times and i also used to
reactivate online each time with no problems, i did however have trouble the
last time i tried it, i ended up on the phone activation line, you get some
recorded thing asking you to type in a load of digits on the phone keypad
... this then came back as not working either. I was then put thru to some
service center somewhere (not a very english accent) and he then asked for
the first 5 digits of the product ID, put me on hold for 5 mins then came
back and read out a code i had to type in to activate.

i did ask why the online activation failed but he didnt have a clue and
didnt really seem to intrested either.

i will back up these files and see how it goes next time i reinstal

I wonder if the original product key will work for a reinstall or if you
have to use the code he gave you ...

 

[sandman112]

I wonder if the original product key will work for a reinstall or if you
have to use the code he gave you ...

--
Alias

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the code he gave me wasnt a product key type code, it was an activation
code, very diferent, and unfortunatly i didnt take a note of it, just typed
it in as he read it out, so i no longer have any idea what the code is ...

like i said, next time i'll try to activate it and if i run into the same
trouble at least i'll have those files backed up to try and see if that
works