Hey, i've been using xp pro for over 3 years on the laptop, and all of a sudden yesterday morning when i started the pc, it said you have to activate windows. i thought it's a general microsoft check every 2 years or something, so i activated windows again. this morning AGAIN it asked me to activate windows, now this must be a virus or something, i called dell software people they said they'd charge me to answer my question any help would be much appreciated. cheers

Product Activation Intended to clamp down on piracy, Microsoft implemented Product Activation technology with XP. This requires new users to activate their XP copies via the Internet or telephone, and it also requires reactivation if users make a certain number and certain type of hardware configuration changes. If activation and reactivation aren't performed in time, XP stops working until the user acquires a Confirmation ID from Microsoft by telephone. Since the first announcement of Product Activation, Microsoft has relented on some stiffer requirements to appease user concerns. Microsoft extended the initial activation period to 60 days and let up on what it considers "significant" hardware changes. Under the modified policy, if a PC doesn't have a network adapter, or if the network adapter has been changed, three hardware devices can be changed before reactivation is required. If a PC has a network adapter and it has never been changed, five hardware devices can be changed. Users can reactivate XP via the Internet when required due to a significant hardware change only if 120 days or more have passed since the previous activation. If less than 120 days have passed, reactivation must occur via telephone. This is where the grumbling begins, because activation and reactivation via telephone means reciting an Installation ID number and receiving a 42-digit Confirmation ID. Trust us, activate and reactivate using the Internet; it is a piece of cake.

http://windowssecrets.com/comp/060615/ TOP STORY Genuine Advantage is Microsoft spyware

thank you for sending this Johnw, but i could hardly relate it to my problem. please advise more if u can thx

Just the Facts i_XpUser

fonzie, street1 appears to answered your question, my info is for when you move into doing your updates.

As it's a laptop I don't think the hardware changes problem would be the case, unless you have changed mobo or similar?. Next time it happens, try the 'phone Microsoft' option just to see what they have to say. Also you may want to consider updating to SP2 - it 'may' cure the problem (there have been a lot of updates since SP1), plus SP1 isn't going to be supported for much longer. "I know that I'm mad, I've always been mad"