OK first of I do own a legal version of XP Pro SP2 (Retail).

The reason I'm trying to get round activation is in the past I have
activated allot online, when I didn't know you could only do it a set number
of times before you have to keep going through the hassle of ringing tech
support and giving them my code number then they read me one back etc etc.

Now I have read that if you back up 2 files called "wpa.bak" and "wpa.dbl"
then once xp is reinstalled go into windows as normal and when asked for
activation just reboot in safe mode and copy these 2 files back into the
windows/system32 folder overwriting what might be there, as described here
http://tinyurl.com/5zmqqy

I have also read that if you format the hard drive (which I want to do) then
this will not work, but (please bear with me) when I partitioned and
formatted my drive I took an image of just that, so the image has nothing on
it just the 2 bare partitions then I went about installing my copy of xp
about 7 months ago, now I have gone back on that old image (of just bare
partitions) and installed a fresh copy of XP and tried the trick as
mentioned above with the 2 files but it failed to work, it said something
like "I need to activate before logging in" so it didn't work for me.

The only thing I can think of that is causing the problem is when setting up
windows it asks/gives the computer a name I "think" the fresh install was a
different name so I'm guessing this could be the problem but welcome any
feedback from anyone.

I have to stress I'm not trying to screw the activation process up or do
anything illegal I just want to save the hassle as mentioned above, I have
posted to a few groups that I think may be relevant so sorry if you see this
elsewhere.

Jim

Jim wrote:
> OK first of I do own a legal version of XP Pro SP2 (Retail).
>
> The reason I'm trying to get round activation is in the past I have
> activated allot online, when I didn't know you could only do it a set number
> of times before you have to keep going through the hassle of ringing tech
> support and giving them my code number then they read me one back etc etc.
>
> Now I have read that if you back up 2 files called "wpa.bak" and "wpa.dbl"
> then once xp is reinstalled go into windows as normal and when asked for
> activation just reboot in safe mode and copy these 2 files back into the
> windows/system32 folder overwriting what might be there, as described here
> http://tinyurl.com/5zmqqy
>
> I have also read that if you format the hard drive (which I want to do) then
> this will not work, but (please bear with me) when I partitioned and
> formatted my drive I took an image of just that, so the image has nothing on
> it just the 2 bare partitions then I went about installing my copy of xp
> about 7 months ago, now I have gone back on that old image (of just bare
> partitions) and installed a fresh copy of XP and tried the trick as
> mentioned above with the 2 files but it failed to work, it said something
> like "I need to activate before logging in" so it didn't work for me.
>
> The only thing I can think of that is causing the problem is when setting up
> windows it asks/gives the computer a name I "think" the fresh install was a
> different name so I'm guessing this could be the problem but welcome any
> feedback from anyone.
>
> I have to stress I'm not trying to screw the activation process up or do
> anything illegal I just want to save the hassle as mentioned above, I have
> posted to a few groups that I think may be relevant so sorry if you see this
> elsewhere.
>
> Jim
>
>

Microsoft nuked that work around.

P

"p" <p@nospam.cn> wrote in message news:g4gbmv$241$1@aioe.org...
>
> Microsoft nuked that work around.
>
> P
Oh great, ok is there any other legal way of doing what i want to do?

Call in, activate, then Image the install.

Jim wrote:
> "p" <p@nospam.cn> wrote in message news:g4gbmv$241$1@aioe.org...
>
>>Microsoft nuked that work around.
>>
>>P
>
> Oh great, ok is there any other legal way of doing what i want to do?
>
>

"Jim" <luckyjim2000_2000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:7v6dnZaOyfikLfbVnZ2dnUVZ8radnZ2d@giganews.com ...
> OK first of I do own a legal version of XP Pro SP2 (Retail).
>
> The reason I'm trying to get round activation is in the past I have
> activated allot online, when I didn't know you could only do it a set
> number of times before you have to keep going through the hassle of
> ringing tech support and giving them my code number then they read me one
> back etc etc.
>
> Now I have read that if you back up 2 files called "wpa.bak" and "wpa.dbl"
> then once xp is reinstalled go into windows as normal and when asked for
> activation just reboot in safe mode and copy these 2 files back into the
> windows/system32 folder overwriting what might be there, as described here
> http://tinyurl.com/5zmqqy
>
> I have also read that if you format the hard drive (which I want to do)
> then this will not work, but (please bear with me) when I partitioned and
> formatted my drive I took an image of just that, so the image has nothing
> on it just the 2 bare partitions then I went about installing my copy of
> xp about 7 months ago, now I have gone back on that old image (of just
> bare partitions) and installed a fresh copy of XP and tried the trick as
> mentioned above with the 2 files but it failed to work, it said something
> like "I need to activate before logging in" so it didn't work for me.
>
> The only thing I can think of that is causing the problem is when setting
> up windows it asks/gives the computer a name I "think" the fresh install
> was a different name so I'm guessing this could be the problem but welcome
> any feedback from anyone.
>
> I have to stress I'm not trying to screw the activation process up or do
> anything illegal I just want to save the hassle as mentioned above, I have
> posted to a few groups that I think may be relevant so sorry if you see
> this elsewhere.
>
> Jim
>




Usually, you can re-install without problem if it has been more than 120
days since the last install.

On Jul 2, 1:38*pm, Bob I <bire...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Call in, activate, then Image the install.
>
>
>
> Jim wrote:
> > "p" <p...@nospam.cn> wrote in messagenews:g4gbmv$241$1@aioe.org...
>
> >>Microsoft nuked that work around.
>
> >>P
>
> > Oh great, ok is there any other legal way of doing what i want to do?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

If you can not activate online call the number and use the key pad to
enter the blocks of numbers and the automated voice will give you the
activation code or let you speak to a representative. Tell them that
you changed the hard drive (or what ever your hardware change was)and
they will activate it.

Some useful info:

http://windowsitpro.com/articles/ind...=20621&cpage=8

I've met this more times than I could count in respect of OEM computers
which are supplied 'filled with junk' and thus need to be wiped straight out
the box.. only to find they won't activate online. When you have to 'speak
to a representative' five, ten or twenty-five times over, that is no trivial
amount of wasted time.

IF Microsoft are going to require activation, THEN it should be an OEM
requirement that NO other software (besides device drivers) is preinstalled.

--------------------------
"This is a wonderful computer. It''s 20yrs old and absolutely reliable.
And, in all that time it''s only had four mobos, six processors, two cases,
seven OS''s ...."


"Jim" wrote:

> OK first of I do own a legal version of XP Pro SP2 (Retail).
>
> The reason I'm trying to get round activation is in the past I have
> activated allot online, when I didn't know you could only do it a set number
> of times before you have to keep going through the hassle of ringing tech
> support and giving them my code number then they read me one back etc etc.
>
> Now I have read that if you back up 2 files called "wpa.bak" and "wpa.dbl"
> then once xp is reinstalled go into windows as normal and when asked for
> activation just reboot in safe mode and copy these 2 files back into the
> windows/system32 folder overwriting what might be there, as described here
> http://tinyurl.com/5zmqqy
>
> I have also read that if you format the hard drive (which I want to do) then
> this will not work, but (please bear with me) when I partitioned and
> formatted my drive I took an image of just that, so the image has nothing on
> it just the 2 bare partitions then I went about installing my copy of xp
> about 7 months ago, now I have gone back on that old image (of just bare
> partitions) and installed a fresh copy of XP and tried the trick as
> mentioned above with the 2 files but it failed to work, it said something
> like "I need to activate before logging in" so it didn't work for me.
>
> The only thing I can think of that is causing the problem is when setting up
> windows it asks/gives the computer a name I "think" the fresh install was a
> different name so I'm guessing this could be the problem but welcome any
> feedback from anyone.
>
> I have to stress I'm not trying to screw the activation process up or do
> anything illegal I just want to save the hassle as mentioned above, I have
> posted to a few groups that I think may be relevant so sorry if you see this
> elsewhere.
>
> Jim
>
>
>

Jim wrote:

> OK first of I do own a legal version of XP Pro SP2 (Retail).
>
> The reason I'm trying to get round activation is in the past I have
> activated allot online, when I didn't know you could only do it a set number
> of times before you have to keep going through the hassle of ringing tech
> support and giving them my code number then they read me one back etc etc.
>
> Now I have read that if you back up 2 files called "wpa.bak" and "wpa.dbl"
> then once xp is reinstalled go into windows as normal and when asked for
> activation just reboot in safe mode and copy these 2 files back into the
> windows/system32 folder overwriting what might be there, as described here
> http://tinyurl.com/5zmqqy
>
> I have also read that if you format the hard drive (which I want to do) then
> this will not work, but (please bear with me) when I partitioned and
> formatted my drive I took an image of just that, so the image has nothing on
> it just the 2 bare partitions then I went about installing my copy of xp
> about 7 months ago, now I have gone back on that old image (of just bare
> partitions) and installed a fresh copy of XP and tried the trick as
> mentioned above with the 2 files but it failed to work, it said something
> like "I need to activate before logging in" so it didn't work for me.
>
> The only thing I can think of that is causing the problem is when setting up
> windows it asks/gives the computer a name I "think" the fresh install was a
> different name so I'm guessing this could be the problem but welcome any
> feedback from anyone.
>
> I have to stress I'm not trying to screw the activation process up or do
> anything illegal I just want to save the hassle as mentioned above, I have
> posted to a few groups that I think may be relevant so sorry if you see this
> elsewhere.
>
> Jim
>
>

It's Microsoft's WPA scheme and it's Microsoft's phone bill. Call
them up as often as you want. They are the ones footing the bill.
If WPA fails, then wait for the massive class action lawsuit that
will certainly follow.

The wpa.bak and wpa.dbl option has never worked for me. I use Windows XP on
a virtual machine (that's my normal machine but with virtual machine
software installed - VMWare Workstation to be precise. The VM software is
installed and then I create a separate partition on my hard drive and point
the VM to install it's files for XP on that partition). One installed
Windows XP is activated (after installing all updates and checking that
everything is working okay, of course.) One I activated XP I then 'imaged'
the VM drive using Acronis True Image. When any problems arise, I simply
start up Acronis, slip in the DVD containing my image of XP and then install
I back to the same partition - and yes the partition has, in many cases,
been reformatted prior to re-imaging back. Ever image has been successful
and I haven't had to re-activate XP in the last 3 years ( and it's been
re-installed using this scenario 7 or 8 times in this period.)

Although I am using VM software the same should apply to a normal re-image;
I shouldn't need re-activating, the activation details will have been stored
on the image, assuming you activated XP 'prior' to imaging the
drive/partition.

I mentioned VM software because that is how I have set up XP and Vista
(rather than having a dual boot system) this doesn't mean that you have to
start thinking about using VM software to achieve the same result, you can
do the same thing by installing XP to a separate partition.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..



"Jim" <luckyjim2000_2000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:7v6dnZaOyfikLfbVnZ2dnUVZ8radnZ2d@giganews.com ...
> OK first of I do own a legal version of XP Pro SP2 (Retail).
>
> The reason I'm trying to get round activation is in the past I have
> activated allot online, when I didn't know you could only do it a set
> number of times before you have to keep going through the hassle of
> ringing tech support and giving them my code number then they read me one
> back etc etc.
>
> Now I have read that if you back up 2 files called "wpa.bak" and "wpa.dbl"
> then once xp is reinstalled go into windows as normal and when asked for
> activation just reboot in safe mode and copy these 2 files back into the
> windows/system32 folder overwriting what might be there, as described here
> http://tinyurl.com/5zmqqy
>
> I have also read that if you format the hard drive (which I want to do)
> then this will not work, but (please bear with me) when I partitioned and
> formatted my drive I took an image of just that, so the image has nothing
> on it just the 2 bare partitions then I went about installing my copy of
> xp about 7 months ago, now I have gone back on that old image (of just
> bare partitions) and installed a fresh copy of XP and tried the trick as
> mentioned above with the 2 files but it failed to work, it said something
> like "I need to activate before logging in" so it didn't work for me.
>
> The only thing I can think of that is causing the problem is when setting
> up windows it asks/gives the computer a name I "think" the fresh install
> was a different name so I'm guessing this could be the problem but welcome
> any feedback from anyone.
>
> I have to stress I'm not trying to screw the activation process up or do
> anything illegal I just want to save the hassle as mentioned above, I have
> posted to a few groups that I think may be relevant so sorry if you see
> this elsewhere.
>
> Jim
>

"Jim" <luckyjim2000_2000@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:7v6dnZaOyfikLfbVnZ2dnUVZ8radnZ2d@giganews.com ...
> OK first of I do own a legal version of XP Pro SP2 (Retail).
>
> The reason I'm trying to get round activation is in the past I have
> activated allot online, when I didn't know you could only do it a set
> number of times before you have to keep going through the hassle of
> ringing tech support and giving them my code number then they read me one
> back etc etc.
>
> Now I have read that if you back up 2 files called "wpa.bak" and "wpa.dbl"
> then once xp is reinstalled go into windows as normal and when asked for
> activation just reboot in safe mode and copy these 2 files back into the
> windows/system32 folder overwriting what might be there, as described here
> http://tinyurl.com/5zmqqy
>
> I have also read that if you format the hard drive (which I want to do)
> then this will not work, but (please bear with me) when I partitioned and
> formatted my drive I took an image of just that, so the image has nothing
> on it just the 2 bare partitions then I went about installing my copy of
> xp about 7 months ago, now I have gone back on that old image (of just
> bare partitions) and installed a fresh copy of XP and tried the trick as
> mentioned above with the 2 files but it failed to work, it said something
> like "I need to activate before logging in" so it didn't work for me.
>
> The only thing I can think of that is causing the problem is when setting
> up windows it asks/gives the computer a name I "think" the fresh install
> was a different name so I'm guessing this could be the problem but welcome
> any feedback from anyone.
>
> I have to stress I'm not trying to screw the activation process up or do
> anything illegal I just want to save the hassle as mentioned above, I have
> posted to a few groups that I think may be relevant so sorry if you see
> this elsewhere.
>
> Jim

I don't see the point or benefit. Activation by phone is toll-free and
takes between five and ten minutes. How long is it going to take you to
play around with these files? How much time are you going to waste on
loopholes that were closed some time ago - when you could be done in 5 and
move on with your life?

And if you haven't activated in a few months, you will likely find that
there is no problem with online activation.

HTH
-pk