Re: XP end of retail as of June 30th 2008

[Tigger29]

Basically you're allowed up to three activations within six months.  If it sees a forth during that time, it runs it's authenticity check (some kind of points system based on what hardware components have been changed) and will lock itself out if it fails this check.

After six months the slate is wiped clean, assuming it passes the authenticity check and no further activations have been done.

Unless, of course, your key has been added to their 'high piracy risk' list, in which case you have to manually authenticate (call them) every time... luckily I don't have that problem.

[BaldEagl]

I've never had to call Microsoft and talk to a service rep to have XP validated because I have it installed on more than 3 machines.  The 4 machines I have all use the same XP key as does the system I built for my girlfriend and the two machines I built for my parents.  I've also used the same XP key to reinstall XP on my brother's machine and on a couple of my sister's machines.  After each install of XP, I've been prompted only to authenticate over the Intardnet and each time I've done so, it has authenticated XP each time successfully.


I built my machine, my girlfriend's machine and my parent's machines all within the last 4 months using the same XP key (I'm also using the same XP CD) and never was "locked" out nor wasn't able to update or download any "Microsoft Genuine Software".

And no, I am not using a pirate key or CD copy of XP.  It's the same CD I bought 5+ years ago with the authentication key it came with.


ack-ack

As I said, I think it has to do with how old your copy of XP is.  It's probably after some specific key number that they tightened it up.  I doubt you'de get away with that with a new copy of XP.

[Fulmar]

I can vouch for Ack-Ack's method of installs.  It works.

[Vulcan]

ya know M$ makes XP installs so difficult it just encourages you to use slipstreamed WGA broken versions of XP.

[Ack-Ack]

As I said, I think it has to do with how old your copy of XP is.  It's probably after some specific key number that they tightened it up.  I doubt you'de get away with that with a new copy of XP.

If that is the case then the copy and key I have is going to be stored in a very safe place from now on.


ack-ack