Clean Install of Windows

[y00neek]

I want to wipe out my hard drive and install windows xp. i have the install cd but i cant seem to find the sticker with the serial number. I have alrdy validated the serial number and i was wondering if i could get the number from my computer. Or is there another alternative?

[Murf]

Here is a free legal program that will do it. HERE

[y00neek]

Ok I'm gonna download it right now thanks

[y00neek]

Now that i got my key, I was wondering if i reformat and install windows am i going to be able to surpass the 30 day thing.

[Murf]

Is this the first time you have reinstalled? If so should not be a problem. If it is you just call them TELEPHONE number comes up and a code comes up, tell them what you did, they will ask for the code on your screen and they will give you the key. Just tell them you had to format and reinstall.

You do know that a FORMAT will wipe the drive clean and YOU LOOSE ALL DATA? So have the important stuff, emails, favorites ect backed up.

All the key you just extracted make sure it is the right one, what I mean by that is right click on "My Computer" then go to "Properties", iunder the "General TAB" you will see a Registration Number, That is not the CD KEY, so if that is the number you extracted it is wrong.

[Rich M]

If you cannot activate on the internet, just activate by telephone and a Ms operator will give you a new number to activate it.

[y00neek]

I did it before, but the only problem is activating it. I was worried that it wont activate since ive alrdy activated it. So will i be able to activate it?

[renegade600]

Originally Posted by y00neek

I did it before, but the only problem is activating it. I was worried that it wont activate since ive alrdy activated it. So will i be able to activate it?

as long as it is the same computer, you should have no problems with online activation.

[y00neek]

Ok, Thanks. I was thinking that since reformatting wipes out all the files on the hard drive that everything would be gone.

Same computer or same hard drive? So I'll be able to activate it on a new hard drive if i change it with my current one?

Sry for the questions. I'm just curious cause I've had this 40gb hard drive for a while now and ive been thinking of upgrading.

[Murf]

You will be OK. You will be able to activate, or at least activate by the 800 number presented to you on the screen.

[y00neek]

Ok I just finished Thanks for the help. Got to activate it online. I Really appreciate it guys

[Murf]

Welcome

[y00neek]

Sorry to bring this back up but, I just got my new hard drive and I installed windows xp on it. I used the same key from my old hard drive and it worked. When I try activating it, it says that it has already been activated. I don't plan on making my new hard drive my secondary and i want it to be the only drive on my computer. Do I have to clear the contents on my previous hard drive in order for my to activate it on my new one? I would really appreciate your help.

[Murray S.]

Howdy:

No, you use the "Phone Activation" method as explained by Murf in post 5 !!

Murray

[y00neek]

Sorry about that. Okay well I got the confirmation ID and did all of it, I got all the updates and now it says that my windows is not genuine. How can this be? It said that my windows was genuine on the previous hdd that I used.