I have a domain with W2K server and W2K Pro clients and XP Pro clients. I want to make a RIPrep image of the XP client, the XP client is registered with Microsoft. If i make a RIPrep image of the XP client computer will i have to reactivate the client XP computer that I am using as the image? will the second computer need its own new activation key? and register it with microsoft?

How many valid licenses have you purchased for XP? Or do you have a Volume License? Life's more painless for the brainless.

i just had a single copy of WinXP Pro with cd-key and then called in to Microsoft to activate it. A message kept popping up counting down the days i had to activate the XP, so i called and activated it. i want to use RIPrep to image this XP Pro client, but i believe once i image the computer it will restart and i will eventually have to re-enter the cd-key(wich is already activated with Microsoft). Is this true? is so, how will it effect my earlier activation? will the 2nd computer i want to put the image on also need its own unique cd-key?

In your case...you can only use that license on 1 computer...period... There are many things on the web that tells you that you can do this or that but in reallity...the software belongs to Microsoft and they have the final word. If they believe that you are pirating software then they may deactivate the license and while as of yet, (at least I have yet to find a true story) Microsoft has not sent any special codes out to deactivate a persons personal computer for having a bad license. They have stopped people from getting certain types of updates and/or program upgrades. Unlike windows 95 and 98...windows XP will not transfer to other computer systems without a new license....meaning that image copying to a different computer doesn't work. XP uses a precheck program on boot and if the hardware doesn't match it will demand a new license ativation. Save yourself the trouble and just purchase new licenses for the new computer...call Microsoft they have special pricing incentives for multiple purchases...they also have special rates to those that have pirated software and needs to get legal :) For more information about xp activation and precheck you need to read this article http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php There is some excelent information contained within In The Matters Of Style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, Stand Like A Rock "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid."

this is just a home network that i have set up to learn from. A W2K domain with a 2000pro/XP pro clients. How much would it cost to buy a licensce for a single XP pro install? Would I use the same XP Pro cd to install and then microsoft would give me a new cd-key and i would then activate it?