M$ Windoze XP Activation WAP backup?

[Cambion7]

I've submitted a help ticket to M$ Support (I get two free, and this is my first). I finally have changed enough hardware that whenever I format my hard disk and reinstall XP the activation does not work and have to call the 800 number to reach my friendly M$ Activation Expert in India. Thus far it's only been needed twice, but it's a pain in the rear!

I've read somewhere that if you backup the WAP.* files in \windows\system32 after a successful activation that you won't need to activate anymore, so long as you do not change the hash by upgrading anymore hardware.

Does anyone know what files truly need to be saved to prevent re-activating a legitimate install? I'm asking M$ $upport the same question, even for a replacement key and disc in exchange for my original disc and key. It's a pain in the butt! Thus far I have used Drive Image 7 to make an image of an activated virgin install which is what I may have to live with.

Regards,
Cam

ps I reinstall whenever my computer starts acting up.... this last bit is because I've been unable to successfully do Dual Layers when I have done them in the past with no problems. Same MID so that's been ruled out.

Edit: Grrrrr I just got a response via e-mail. No way to backup my WPA, and they don't exchange discs/keys. I did express my regrets at their lack of RMA/RGA exchanges, blah blah blah. If VISTA is going to be like this I'm not upgrading. Phooey!

[Chewy]

Thus far I have used Drive Image 7 to make an image of an activated virgin install which is what I may have to live with.

they have activation so messed up with all their anti-piracy push, imaging
is the way to go

[jm1647]

they have activation so messed up with all their anti-piracy push, imaging
is the way to go

I agree

[Cambion7]

I agree as well, which is why I did the following:

1. Format C: then installed XP. Asked to activate, but denied to at that time.
2. Installed NIS 2006K (ZoneAlarm and BitDefender combo was a bit cumbersome for me).
3. Activated both NIS2006K and telephoned M$ and activated XP.
4. Imaged C:

Only after doing that did I even bother going to M$ Update and get the critical stuff. Seems the only people hurt by product activation are the legitimate customers. Other people always seem to get around it one way or another.

Regards,
Cam

[toomanycats]

I kind've had that problem when I rebuilt my computer. In all honesty it was a new machine except for the case. I played stupid and told M$ that I just changed a video card and ram. They did issue an activation key. If I wanted to do a drive image would it be too late now that the machine is all bumped up with everything? It seems like a good idea. Would that imgae work on a complete rebuild? or would the computer's new hardware somehow register with M$ and choke up again. And CHEWY, I still couldn't figure out what you guys where saying!

[Chewy]

And CHEWY, I still couldn't figure out what you guys where saying!

I read up on wpa a lot the first few years, the hardware changes, elections, time limits, etc. Most of the details were revealed by insiders, MSMVP's.
Who knows what changes have been made since, you won't ever get a straight story from Bill. All I know is stories like cam's have been the rule not the exception these last few years when someone starts changing stuff,
a motherboard was always a nono, but people upgraded, reloaded, and reactivated by internet frequently.
by internet

[toomanycats]

I actually think I got away with a lot. I had a new mobo and everything else. I happen to cook a lot of Indian food and the Indian chap on the other end was so impressed I think he cut me a break. You know the old saying, "If you can dazzle them with your brilliance, baffle them with your bull****". I also called in the middle of the night U.S. time so I would get some fellow American touchole. (Not that I'm one!!)

[Cambion7]

@Toomanycats - The image should only work as long as you don't change your hardware hash too drastically. Seems the WPA (Windows Product Activation) uses a number hashed by a mathematical means using hardware id and other bits of **system information**. It then uses your product key and this hash to come up with some sort of figure (I assume) that is stored when you first activate Windows. Then, as Chewy said, there is an election process each time you boot. you'd have to search the net to find out what they include, but there's at least nine items viewed, and you can fail up to three votes. On the fourth failure you need to reactivate via the phone.

You would figure those of us tech-savvy people, we are the ones that drive technology and even make it possible for M$ to sell the newer OS. Take Chewy's advise. I made my image and that's the only way I'm getting an activated install without having to call in for a new challenge key.

Anyway, having an image of a good working install with your desired configuration can save hours if you ever have to restore. It's just a good idea to make that image VERY SOON after the initial setup is completed.

Cheers to everyone!
Cam
:Toast:

[toomanycats]

I should be allright for a while. Sometimes I feel like buying a spare copy of XP as I imagine they will be wanting everyone to change to Vista. That way I would have a final legit copy for my next computer. I have seen nothing in Media Center or Vista that I find attractive, especially with allo the copyright bull. I think computers are about to become buttoned up.

[Chewy]

I should be allright for a while. Sometimes I feel like buying a spare copy of XP as I imagine they will be wanting everyone to change to Vista. That way I would have a final legit copy for my next computer. I have seen nothing in Media Center or Vista that I find attractive, especially with allo the copyright bull. I think computers are about to become buttoned up.

they might release a xp final with SP3, that would be the version to get

[Cambion7]

Just thought I would report back about my situation. After getting the response that "sorry nothing we can do... you have to live with phoning in to activate"... the rep from M$ did say she would forward it to her supervisor. He contacted me via e-mail and asked for me to take digital photos of my original CD and the key as well as a snapshot of the invoice. Well I took photos of the CD and Key but don't have the invoice anymore. They have generated an order for a free replacement CD and License which I should receive in a couple of weeks.

Gotta say that I didn't expect to have them actually replace my license let alone the whole CD. Kinda cool.

Cam

[Dan]

Thanks for sharing your problem Cam. I had a similar problem and now I know what I am up against should I need to activate again.

I just installed a new HDD and decided to take the old one out all together not even thinking about the XP thing. It did activate this time, but I would be surprised if it works again should I make any major changes or upgrade to a new system.

[Cambion7]

Thanks for sharing your problem Cam. I had a similar problem and now I know what I am up against should I need to activate again.

I just installed a new HDD and decided to take the old one out all together not even thinking about the XP thing. It did activate this time, but I would be surprised if it works again should I make any major changes or upgrade to a new system.

Dan,
Gotta love that Kramer avatar! I know I've said it before just have to say it again. As for activation, you should record what your Volume ID is for each of your partitions and hard disks. Open a command box (Start/Run and type CMD) then type VOL C: and hit enter. Then you can use a VolumeID tool available for free on the net to set your volume ID back to what it currently is just incase you have to reformat your hard disk. The VolumeID counts as one of the votes taken when your system boots and if it changes that's one vote lost out of three. I still have an image of my install I'll use, but it's nice to know my concerns were satisfied.

Regards,
Cam

[jm1647]

A way around the activation hassle is using a Corporate version and putting your windows key into that.

:key:

[Chewy]

All windows keys are specific for each version of windows, and there are a bunch of versions.
In my slipstreaming project(windows xp pro original) with sp1 I misnamed the cd and my number wouldn't work, a big can of worms, but educational.