Contents 1 Product Activation 1.1 Scenario 1 1.2 Scenario 2 1.3 Scenario 3

Product ActivationEdit

Product Activation is a way for a Copy of Windows to be binded to a specific user's hardware. Let's take a few typical configurations:

Scenario 1Edit

Machine #1:

• AMD Athlon 64 3000+
• Asus A8V Motherboard
• 512MB RAM
• 80GB SATA Hard Drive
• DVD-RW Drive

Machine #2:

• Intel Pentium 4 Northwood 2.4GHz
• Intel D845EBG2 Motherboard
• 1024MB RAM
• 200GB PATA Hard Drive
• CD-RW Drive

Now, Windows XP is already 'Activated' on Machine #1. By Activating the Machine, Windows XP has transmitted the CD-Key, along with the Hardware Details of Machine #1.

Windows XP will install on Machine #2, but when you try to activate Windows XP on Machine #2, Windows XP checks the hardware details stored on the Microsoft Server, with the Details culled by the Setup Program, and stored in the System Registry.

Details Stored include:

• Processor ID
• Motherboard ID
• BIOS ID and Version Numbers
• Hard Drive Details
• Optical Drive Details
• Video Adaptor Details
• RAM Size, Serial Number(s)

Scenario 2Edit

Machine #1

• AMD Athlon 64 3000+
• Asus A8V Motherboard
• 512MB RAM
• 80GB SATA Hard Drive
• DVD-RW Drive

Machine #2

• AMD Athlon 64 3000+
• Asus A8V Motherboard
• 512MB RAM
• 80GB SATA Hard Drive
• DVD-RW Drive

Now, this is a subject of debate. If you have Identical Spec Components Installed, the only things differing being the Serial/ID Numbers, will Windows Activate. Seeing as Dell ship their Optiplexes with differing Product Keys, one would think this would not work.

Scenario 3Edit

Machine #1

• AMD Athlon 64 3000+
• Asus A8V Motherboard
• 512MB RAM
• 80GB SATA Hard Drive
• DVD-RW Drive

Machine #2

• AMD Athlon 64 3000+
• Asus nForce 4 A8N-SLi Deluxe Motherboard
• 512MB RAM
• 80GB SATA Hard Drive
• DVD-RW Drive