Can I keep on trying windows for 30 days?

I have an XP disc.

The sticker with the key thing on it is illegible. (why they put them on the bottom of laptops I don't know)

I want to install XP in a VM until such time as my sons iPod Touch works properly.

Rather than lots and lots of emails and phone calls with Samsung and Microsoft can I just reinstall XP after the 30 days is up?....... again and again?

Yeah, you can reinstall Windows XP every 30 days. Again and again. I had a friend who used to do that because he didn't know how to crack it at the time. :P

.. Of course, it wouldn't really be wrong for you to crack it yourself IMO. I mean, it's a legit copy - the CD Key is just illegible. ;)

Cheers

Philsoki said: Yeah, you can reinstall Windows XP every 30 days. Again and again. I had a friend who used to do that because he didn't know how to crack it at the time. :P

.. Of course, it wouldn't really be wrong for you to crack it yourself IMO. I mean, it's a legit copy - the CD Key is just illegible. ;) Keep in mind that piracy isn't supported here.

Even if it's a genuine key, it was an OEM copy on a different machine (laptop per the OP), and as such it isn't transferable.

CharlesA said: Keep in mind that piracy isn't supported here.

Even if it's a genuine key, it was an OEM copy on a different machine (laptop per the OP), and as such it isn't transferable.

Don't worry, it's the same machine. A samsung nc10 netbook.

It doesn't help you now but for the future, I started putting clear packing tape over the Windows sticker or anything else printed on the bottom of laptops. That helps keep things legible.

walt.smith1960 said: It doesn't help you now but for the future, I started putting clear packing tape over the Windows sticker or anything else printed on the bottom of laptops. That helps keep things legible.

There is a way, that is legal to stop the messages that say you need to activate from popping up over and over, but it does not solve the problem of activating or reinstalling over and over. http://www.ehow.com/how_5463503_bypass-windows-xp-sp-activation.html Like I said, it is legal but does not actually bypass it, it just stops the annoying messages telling you that you have to activate.

walt.smith1960 said: It doesn't help you now but for the future, I started putting clear packing tape over the Windows sticker or anything else printed on the bottom of laptops. That helps keep things legible.

That works. I write down the product key each machine uses on the sheet I use for network planning.

That way there is a record.

Try getting the product key from the cd: http://techie-buzz.com/tips-and-tricks/find-windows-xp-product-key-from-installation-disc.html http://ehacks.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/how-to-find-your-windows-xp-product-key-on-the-windows-xp-cd/

Looks like the file might be in different locations so maybe just insert the cd in a ubuntu computer and do a search for the UNATTEND.TXT file. I just tried it on my XP disk and it works.

CharlesA said: That works. I write down the product key each machine uses on the sheet I use for network planning.

That way there is a record.

I set my laptop on my scanner and made a color copy of the sticker. It is archived in my backups. I did the same thing with my HP netbook but I had to take the bottom off the netbook to see the sticker.

Jerry

mips said: Try getting the product key from the cd:

http://techie-buzz.com/tips-and-tricks/find-windows-xp-product-key-from-installation-disc.html http://ehacks.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/how-to-find-your-windows-xp-product-key-on-the-windows-xp-cd/

Looks like the file might be in different locations so maybe just insert the cd in a ubuntu computer and do a search for the UNATTEND.TXT file. I just tried it on my XP disk and it works.

Worked on the slipstreamed XP open oem from my computer manufacturer, a single cd. The oem I purchased from them is 3 cd's, the other is a download from their site, didn't look in the 3 set.

OEM keys are exactly the same per brand.

E.g ASUS laptops all use the same key. Same goes for other brands.