Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (
More info?)
MS won't holler, but you will have to call their toll-
free line to get an authentication number (been there,
done that).
XP will notify you activation needs to be done within 3
days. Make sure all your hardware is working and you
don't need to format/reinstall again, then start the
process from the reminder in your notification area. When
you put in the key, it will pretend to think about it and
then tell you you must call. Select your country and it
will supply the phone number and display a 60 digit
number (10 groups of 6... no fooling!) Have the computer,
at that prompt, in front of you when you call. When you
get connected a voice recognition responder will ask you
to read each group, then connect you to a human in India
who will ask you the numbers in the first group, how many
other computers the software is on, how many times it has
been activated, and the reason for reactivation - keep it
short. Be patient and don't take offense. You won't be
grilled or denied. The rep will read off a 48 digit or so
number to enter in the box.
Ta-da!
Mike
>-----Original Message-----
>Hello, all,
>
>I have a desktop running Windows XP (upgraded from ME).
I
>want to upgrade everything on this machine except the
>case, monitor, keyboard and mouse. Will Microsoft holler
>at me the first time I try to run Windows update because
>it thinks their OS is pirated on a different machine?
>
>Thanx,
>
>Rip
>.
>