Like most of you, I've activated and re-activated XP until I've just about worn out my numeric keys. If it were only more simple. But, I've met some really nice folks in India

O.k., just re-activated it...

I want to go to somewhere in the registry where all the mythical stuff goes on and save those keys so that I don't have to worry about having to do it again.

I've tried all the "magical" ways offered up by him and her on the net, nothing worked. Then, stupid me, I thought why not save the keys? Not the whole registry, because that changes all the time...but just the significant keys... like, can it be done?

Suggestions?

There's no magical ways, it's either the net way, or use the phone. Either way is quite painless.

If you want to avoid the Activation prompts coming after you have changed hardware. If you do this every 120 days, as the counter gets reset then you will not get the prompt...

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Wombat's: Bulldozers of the bush...

When you activate Windows XP, Microsoft stores the data in the Windows Product Activation database files wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak in the folder
%systemroot%\system32. If you change the motherboard or make significant hardware changes, XP will require you to reactive. But if you plan to reinstall XP on the same hardware, you can back up the activation status and then restore it after you reinstall and avoid the activation process.

This works only if you can save the files before the reinstallation and restore after before opening the operating system and so long as NO Hardware Changes have been made.

Time will tell.

Thank you muchly

What about the registry...is there a secret lair where it is hiding?

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O.k., done that...now, are there any other files? I've seen mention of reg keys to re-write...what would that key be?

"If you want to avoid the Activation prompts coming after you have changed hardware. If you do this every 120 days, as the counter gets reset then you will not get the prompt..."

Could you please clarify this a bit more please. I am a bit confused by your wording.

Thanks computergeek22...but does it work? I've tried a bunch of methods. None have worked to my satisfaction.

yes it does i use it all the time because my grandparents screw up there computer so bad i format the use that activation thing works 100% so i no i just downloaded it again for a friend on july 5 2008

I must have missed something or it was removed because it was against the rules!

computergeek22 posted a link to a crack to fix the Win XP activation. I reported it as illegal and the threads were removed.

This thread here was also was reported as a illegal request as well, but it's still here. Double standards methiinks...

http://www.syschat.com/needs-windows...tion-3678.html

Maybe "computergeek22" could return to his last post and amend it. I don't see it either and I did not save it to my SYS-Cache. I don't feel it would have been deleted, as it does not refer to anything that is not already on board...not like a warez fix or something, which I can see being deleted. That does not belong here in this forum.

I have the same problem with Office 2003, sometimes I'm o.k. and other times, I'm not. I don't think the registry maintains its strength over time to hold keys.

And where do these progs go to check for legitimacy anyway. Which reg entries should we save?

Amendment:

In response to Wombat...and with respect, I'm wondering how it could be an illegal crack? It is not like "we" are manipulating something that is not already there, or are we not to know what's there? And we are certainly not applying "outside" influences on what's already there. Maybe we've jumped the gun on this one. I for one, would like to know, where stuff is so I can alter it, save it or delete it. No harm in that, is there?

I find it odd that nowhere in the registry is there mention of "OGA" or "wpa" in the context of activation. Although in the context of Office 11, there are three womping huge codes there.

I told you in my first post, all you need to activate Win XP is a connection to the net, or access to a telephone.

computergeek22 post contained a well known crack to help people activate illegal copies of Win XP...