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    Will Replacing Hard Drive Void Windows XP Activation?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by vc6, Sep 27, 2007.

  1. vc6

    vc6 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have a Lenovo 3000 N100 with 80GB HDD and Windows XP pre-installed. I backed it up to factory state backup media.

    Now I want to replace the drive with a larger drive (not from Lenovo).

    I intend to use this excellent article to do a fresh install:

    http://web.archive.org/web/20051001052737/www.4saad.com/WhatsNew/Fresh_XP_Install/Step1.htm

    My question is... will this require calling Microsoft to re-activate Windows XP?

    This laptop (with XP running) hass passed the stupid WGA test numerous times (each time I download a "premium" update). I just want to make sure that it will continue passing it.

    Thanks!
     
    vc6, Sep 27, 2007
    #1
  2. aadadams

    aadadams Notebook Deity

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    I never had any trouble activating XP online. YMMV, but I think you are safe.
     
    aadadams, Sep 27, 2007
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  3. danny2001

    danny2001 Notebook Consultant

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    A fresh install will usually require you to reactivate windows. It looks like that guide has a section on bypassing activation though.
     
    danny2001, Sep 27, 2007
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  4. halobox

    halobox Notebook Deity

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    Not if you use Ghost.
     
    halobox, Sep 28, 2007
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  5. gridtalker

    gridtalker Notebook Virtuoso

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    It will not void the activation.
     
    gridtalker, Sep 28, 2007
    #5
  6. JoeNewberry

    JoeNewberry Notebook Evangelist

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    Before re-activation starts making you call you have to make a several hardware changes. Just changing the hard disk shouldn't be enough. Here is an article on this if you want the details: HARDWARE CHANGES THAT CAUSE REACTIVATION
     
    JoeNewberry, Sep 28, 2007
    #6