- #Bios serial number windows xp install
- #Bios serial number windows xp upgrade
- #Bios serial number windows xp Pc
Activation can be done over the Internet (preferable) or via telephone. If you don't activate Windows XP within 30 days, you will have to activate it on the next startup.
#Bios serial number windows xp install
When you install a retail copy (full version or upgrade) of Windows XP, product activation is a mandatory step. Activation done in this way is the same as activating a retail version of Windows XP. The second way OEMs can use to activate Windows XP is by contacting Microsoft in the same way a user would activate.
#Bios serial number windows xp Pc
In the unlikely scenario that the BIOS information does not match, the PC would need to be activated within 30 days by contacting the Microsoft activation center via the Internet or telephone call. If it matches, no activation is required.Įvery single piece of hardware could be changed on a PC with SLP and no reactivation would be required - even the motherboard could be replaced as long as the replacement motherboard was original equipment manufactured by the OEM and retained the proper BIOS. At boot, Windows XP compares the PC's BIOS to the SLP information.
No communication by the end user to Microsoft is required and no hardware hash is created or necessary. SLP uses information stored in an OEM PC's BIOS to protect the installation from casual piracy. OEMs have used a similar technology for years with the CDs they ship to reinstall Windows on their computers. This method of protection is called "System Locked Pre-installation," or SLP. One way to "pre-activate" Windows XP uses a mechanism which locks the installation to OEM-specified BIOS information in the PC. "Pre-activation" of Windows XP by the OEMs (Original Equipement Manufacturers) will be done in one of two different ways, which are up to the OEM to choose from. Microsoft provides OEMs with the ability to "pre-activate" Windows XP in the factory, so that end users will never have the need to activate their copy of Windows XP. Most new computers pre-loaded with Windows XP will not require activation at all. This will cover the majority of people (according to Microsoft upwards of 80%), when customers acquire Windows with the purchase of a new computer. Product Activation and new pre-loaded (OEM) PCs Almost all but the smallest businesses should be able to qualify for Microsoft Open License. Customers can qualify for Open License by purchasing as few as five product licenses. Microsoft also offers smaller companies the ability to acquire volume licenses at a discount under the Microsoft Open License program. Installations of Windows XP made using volume licensing media and volume license product keys (VLKs) will have no activation, hardware checking, or limitations on installation or imaging.
#Bios serial number windows xp upgrade
Windows XP upgrade licenses acquired through one of Microsoft's volume licensing agreements, such as Microsoft Open License, Enterprise Agreement, or Select License, will not require activation. Now lets have a look how this will work in "real-life", and also note some changes Microsoft made to WPA.
I have already explained the basics of Windows Product Activation (WPA) in this article. More On Windows XP Product Activation By: Arie Slob