After I thought I was done activating it..and I even went to the activation screen and it said it was, apparently when I reboot it now says I only got 2 days to reactivate it.. so wtf?.. whats happens when its at the end of its limit?... if I buy XP Home (this is XP Pro im running atm) will I lose anything if I reinstall?... How would I install the new HOME edition XP? Do I have to reformat or just reinstall xp... any tips on backings up my current files? oh wait...i still got an extra pack of 5 8gb dvd-rs around here
Well Windows Xp shouldn't expire over a certian amount of time. If bought a new one I think you would be able to just use the activation key from it with your current installation. I don't think if you put in this activation key it will reformat your comp. You can buy windows xp and activation keys cheap off ebay for like 60 bucks.
If you have a legal copy just ring M$, however I may be able to help you if you pm me if you know what I mean.
1. You can turn your BIOS clock back to extend some time needed for backup 2. If you install Home you will lose everything. you cant downgrade with windows 3. Boot from CD-ROM to install XP Home
1. I'm afraid to do that in case it doesnt go back on xP, but i'll try later. I think this is the last day. 2. Damn 3. Well I knew that I meant a way to not lose my stuff but thanks.
Sucks, once it expires it'll scrwe your HD. Happend to my laptop, installed XP with cd and then it screws up HD And then expires :|
It shouldent mess up the HDD it just wont let you into windows. Ive had XP expire on me b4 it just takes you to the activate windows screen and wont let you go any ware else. If its a legal copy then all you have to do is call up MS and talk to Kevin from India. If you changed your rig recently then XP will think its on a different computer and want you to re activate. Main things it checks are CPU Type and number, RAM amount, NIC card, and some other stuff. There is a piont system it uses to genereate the activation code based on the components in the computer. There is some room for change but if you go over like 10 points then it asks for a reactivation and you have to call MS to do that. http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx thats MS's info on it. Look under the paragraph called How does Microsoft Product Activation work? Merged Post: It shouldent mess up the HDD it just wont let you into windows. Ive had XP expire on me b4 it just takes you to the activate windows screen and wont let you go any ware else. If its a legal copy then all you have to do is call up MS and talk to Kevin from India. If you changed your rig recently then XP will think its on a different computer and want you to re activate. Main things it checks are CPU Type and number, RAM amount, NIC card, and some other stuff. There is a piont system it uses to genereate the activation code based on the components in the computer. There is some room for change but if you go over like 10 points then it asks for a reactivation and you have to call MS to do that. http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx in a nutshell this is what you want to look at
It doesnt screw the HD over... When the time is up, you wont be able to access windows or any of the files on it unless you enter an activation key. You wont lose your files, you just wont be able to access them.
Yea well I can get home for 70, and pro is 135. So I am gonna lose them...but what do I need? tons of files to redownload yea but oh well..i'll put all the setup files on a disk and burn it soon.
If you run HOME setup from the computer, NOT BOOT, run, you can install home without losing any files I haven't used this method, just that my friend told me this once and it worked for him Try to use different ways before using this one, since im NOT completely sure
