hello I just changed out my motherboard on my pc, and before I did I reformated my hard drive. I've reinstalled XP on this machine before and I didn't realize there was a LIMIT on the number of times you can install XP. What is THAT??? Is this a bug? should I call microsoft? Anyone have any suggestions, outside of me putting down another 100 bucks to use windows?

No, it's not a bug. That's how the new Windows Activation works. Give Microsoft a call. -=Bryan=-

nm... that was really strange, I typed it in like 3 or four times and finally it said it was successful... anyway what is the limit? I installed it once on a 60gb hard drive (1), once I thought that hard drive was bad, I installed it on a new 120gb hard drive (2), now at some point windows just plain out refused to boot, so I reinstalled AGAIN, this time with FAT32 instead of NTFS (3), then I went to the store a bought a hard drive cooling fan and reinstalled windows because I believed excessive hard drive heat had been responsible for the number of errors I was getting on my hard drive (4), and then this time (5). Unless I am forgetting something, this "error" popped up on the 5th time of reinstalling XP. doing more research on the subject, apparently it's not explicitly written in Microsofts End Liscence User Agreement (EULA) that there is a activation limit on windows XP. If anyone else has this problem apparently you can call them up (assuming you have proof of purchase) and ask for a replacement one....

I activated my copy of XP Pro 2 times before I had to call Microsoft to get it reactivated. I had a major problem with IBM hard drives. Got a western digital now. Here's hoping... I asked the lady at Microsoft if all she did way play with numbers all day long. She said that it's so bad she dreams about numbers at night. Apparently her job is to sit there listen to incoming activation numbers and give out new ones. Don't envy her. Dont worry about calling, they just ask if you have this version of windows on more than one computer.

see tip number 5

There is no limit to the activation in a computer if no hardware is replaced. Mother board, Network card, graphics card and hard drive replacements may force someone to activate by phone. If I am not wrong Microsoft is giving points to each hardware and if the total of the points reaches a certain number XP cannot be activated by Internet.