Well have any of you ever intallled XP too many times and got the message that the code in no longer valid? Well, I did. Basically it is like the software wrapper that Flight1 uses. I had to call Microsoft and get a new code to install windows. I can't tell you if the origional code will work next time as I havn't reinstalled windows again. Different.JimCYWG

I purchased XP Home the day it came out, working in the software industry I was interested. We all went to best buy and I bought it. Went home after work and tried to install and activate, and it said my key was already used! LOL! So I called Microsoft, and they basically accused me of being a software pirate. If I didnt get a good deal on an OEM version of xp professional (without that stupid activation) I would never have bought a microsoft OS again.

WOW. That's neat man. That code was out earlier than I would have thought. I don't mind the activation, I just hope the next activation will go smooth without having to phone Seatle, or wherever. The guy I was talking to I don't think realized that the code had expired. I think it takes 40 or so installes to deactivate the code. Yes you would.JimCYWG

I format my system usually every 10 weeks or so (just nice to have a fresh system and clean out the crap) and I've found I have to call MS to revalidate my key every 6th time (or some other major hardware change).I've also had them ask me for the serial # on my cd to ensure it's a valid copy that was assigned to that key. It's no big deal I find as long as it's not too long of a wait to get through to the rep.