Windows XP in a Nutshell

Name

Activate Windows — \windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe

Synopsis

The copy protection scheme in Windows XP (see Figure 4-4).

To Open

Start → Settings → Activate Windows

Command Prompt → \windows\system32\oobe\msoobe /A

Description

Product activation is a new and somewhat controversial feature in Windows XP. Intending to curb software piracy, Microsoft now requires that each installed copy of Windows XP be activated. This involves contacting Microsoft, either over the Internet or with a telephone call, to obtain a special key to unlock Windows. If Windows is not activated within a certain period, it will expire and refuse to load.

Figure 4-4. Once you’ve activated Windows XP, you probably won’t ever need to again

The sequence of steps to install and activate Windows is as follows:

1. During the installation of Windows, type the 25-character CD Key provided with the Windows XP installation CD. The CD Key distinguishes one end-user license of Windows from another.

2. Windows then generates a 20-digit product ID based on the CD Key and the Windows version.

3. You, the user, transmit the “Installation ID,” comprised of the 20-digit product ID plus an 8-digit hardware ID, to Microsoft. The hardware ID, a unique number based on values obtained from hardware in your computer (see below), distinguishes one computer from another.

4. Microsoft responds with a 42-digit Confirmation ID, which is fed into Windows ...