I've just installed Windows XP on a new hard drive (I hope to use both this one and the old one as master and slave drives). There is a pop-up that says that I have 30 days to register via the Internet or the OS will cease to function. I don't quite remember what information I had to give when I first installed Windows XP on this computer, but I'm afraid that if I register it will look like I've used the CD to install Windows on another computer. So is there any danger in registering? Do you I have to call somewhere to ask permission? (I'm having a problem with my old hard drive so I want to set the new one as the master.)

In my experience.. I have been able to Register the OS twice within a given year... on the 3rd install/registration it will tell me that it has already been registered and then give a number that you have to call in. If you have to call in, it's really not that bad (have done it many times), just ignore the auto-prompting to do the registration yourself automatically and go straight to the cust. serv. rep (as you will have to do this anyway when your system has been registered too many times). Just tell them the install is a re-install on the same computer and they are generally kewl about giving you a new ID to register. Hope that helps! - Michael

Hi ... I have done that many of times and I just enter whatever it ask ... Just as long as your are the owner of a license copy of windows you shouldn't have any problems with the registration part ...

Just be suureee to register. Had a freind who didn't and Microsoft locked up there whole system. You then have 2 options, re-format loosing all information on your system and then register, or try and work with microsoft to let you back in you system to register. This doesn't always work and would be a hassle. XP has a "time-bomb" built into it and when the copy isn't registered, it locks itself up. I think microsoft is a little obsessive here. Mac OS X doesn't not require registration. I don't see why microsoft does.

Mac probably doesn't have the problem of so many people downloading and hacking keys to ill-acquired installs. or they are just not greedy enough to care. Personally the Registration process hasn't really troubled me too much except when re-installing the OS and I have to call in to get a new ID, but even that is not too much of a hassle, just a 5 minute phone call talking to someone in India that I can barely understand, but hey.. no biggie, right? Usually all is re-registered within minutes and I am on my happy way.

It's the microsoft monopoly at work. 90% of new computers have XP and anyone upgrading usually wants XP. Downloading XP on kazaa etc is too tempting for many people (including, embaressingly, myself). I have not downloaded XP illegally though.