Product Registration Key

[John Wilkinson]

I have two copies of XP running on different computers. Both are legit and
properly registered/activated.

My question is should I record the "activation key" somewhere for possible
future recovery purposes? If so, where do I find this key and what is its
format?

Thanks for the input.

--
John R

[Ted]

"John Wilkinson" > wrote in message =
...
> I have two copies of XP running on different computers. Both are legit =
and
> properly registered/activated.
>=20
> My question is should I record the "activation key" somewhere for =
possible
> future recovery purposes? If so, where do I find this key and what is =
its
> format?
>=20
> Thanks for the input.
>=20
> --=20
> John R

You don't need the activation key. If you somehow need in the future to =
reinstall XP, you'll have to activate through MS again, and it will be =
seamless. This will create a new activation file for the installation =
(based on a time stamp) .

[Taurarian]

The current activation is stored in an encrypted database file named
Wpa.dbl, which you can back up and then restore once you've reinstalled XP.
Keep in mind that this technique allows you only to reinstall XP on the same
computer--it isn't a hack to pirate the OS.

Here's how to back up the Wpa.dbl file:
1. Insert a blank, formatted disk into the floppy disk drive.
2. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
3. Right-click the Wpa.dbl file and select Send To | 3-1/2 Floppy.
You can then reformat the hard disk and reinstall XP. Once the installation
procedure is complete, follow these steps to restore the Wpa.dbl file:
1. Restart the computer.
2. Press [F8] when you see the message Please Select The Operating System To
Start.
3. From the Windows Advanced Options Menu, select Safe Mode.
4. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the C:\Windows\System32 folder.
5. Rename the new Wpa.dbl to Wpa.new.
6. Insert the disk that contains the backup into the floppy disk drive.
7. Copy the Wpa.dbl file from the floppy disk to the C:\Windows\System32
folder.
8. Restart the computer.
Since you're using the exact copy of XP that was previously installed, the
original Wpa.dbl file should be accepted, and you won't have to go through
all the hassle of reactivation.


"John Wilkinson" > wrote in message
...
> I have two copies of XP running on different computers. Both are legit and
> properly registered/activated.
>
> My question is should I record the "activation key" somewhere for possible
> future recovery purposes? If so, where do I find this key and what is its
> format?
>
> Thanks for the input.
>
> --
> John R
>
>
>

[Ted]

"Taurarian" > wrote in message =
...
> The current activation is stored in an encrypted database file named
> Wpa.dbl, which you can back up and then restore once you've =
reinstalled XP.
> Keep in mind that this technique allows you only to reinstall XP on =
the same
> computer--it isn't a hack to pirate the OS.

You arsed ****ed pillock! One cannot use a backup copy of those files =
after a total reinstall (format, etc), because they are timed stamped. =
The only way to use them again, is if a repair installation is performed.

[mb]

"John Wilkinson" > wrote in message
...
> I have two copies of XP running on different computers. Both are legit and
> properly registered/activated.
>
> My question is should I record the "activation key" somewhere for possible
> future recovery purposes? If so, where do I find this key and what is its
> format?
>
>
The computers should have a little sticker on them, on this sticker there is
a code comprising of 5 groups of 5 letters/numbers and is described a
"product key".
If you can't find these stickers, then there is software available to
extract the product key from the Windows you are running. The name of this
little prog is "viewkeyxp.exe". Do a search.

Mike

[Alex Nichol]

John Wilkinson wrote:

>
>My question is should I record the "activation key" somewhere for =
possible
>future recovery purposes? If so, where do I find this key and what is =
its
>format?

Yes you should. get the free Aida 32, enterprise edition from
http://www.aida32.hu/aida-download.php?bit=3D32
which is an excellent general System Info tool, and its Software -
Licenses page will tell you the one used for Windows and ones for
several other items.

Note that if the machine came with XP installed, this will probably give
a key used in producing an original image, then cloned to all machines
they make. So it is not the one for a reinstall. But then the key will
be on a label on the case of the machine

--=20
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K.