Saving Activation Files Before Re-installing Windows XP

I remember reading somewhere that you could save specific files before re-installing Windows XP, copy them to your new installation and therefore avoid dealing with Microsoft activation. Can someone direct me to these files and/or any other helpful info? Thank you.

 

Not a good idea to put your personal email in a forum. That said, you probably want something like Winkeyfinder but make sure it is v1.73 RC2 because for the final, they removed the backup feature (backing up the WPA.dll file) . When you do a reformat and installation, your volume serial number changes, so it is a good idea to back that up also.

Here is a utility to find and change it.
hard-disk-serial-number-changer

 

For an XP reinstall on a name brand PC (Dell, Acer, etc.) it's best to use the manufacturer's "restore" CD if available.

Although it seems Microsoft has become a bit less anal retentive on XP reactivations, I have had issues where a Microsoft XP "OEM" copy (as opposed to the PC mfr's restore CD) would flag as an invalid code when I went online to reactivate it. The odds of this happening get even worse if you use a "Retail" XP version for the reinstall.

 

Hey tgell - Just a quick note of thanks for your help. I now understand how this works. Once again, thank you.

starman1021