08-25-2006, 10:58 AM
Activate means that Microsoft wants to link that registration code that you typed in to that hardware on which XP is installed.
This is their way of preventing you from installing XP on several computers using the same registration code.
You already activated XP on one computer; when you go to do it again, Microsoft will see that you're trying to do it on a different hardware configuration, and will probably balk at it. They assume you still have it installed and running on the previous hardware.
The automated activation may not work. You may have to call Microsoft to get them to activate it.
Not sure what that does to your previous installation. If you have to call MS, ask them.
This is their way of preventing you from installing XP on several computers using the same registration code.
You already activated XP on one computer; when you go to do it again, Microsoft will see that you're trying to do it on a different hardware configuration, and will probably balk at it. They assume you still have it installed and running on the previous hardware.
The automated activation may not work. You may have to call Microsoft to get them to activate it.
Not sure what that does to your previous installation. If you have to call MS, ask them.