How to Preserve an OEM Pre Activation When Reinstalling Windows XP

Reinstalling your OEM copy of Windows XP often means that you will be forced to reactivate the software with Microsoft. Avoid this tedium by preserving your activation files, enabling you to commence with your reinstallation without the need to re-register your XP operating system. This only adds about five minutes to the total installation time.

Things You'll Need

• Flash drive
• Windows XP CD

Instructions

1. Insert the XP CD into the computer, along with the flash drive.

2. Right click "Start" and select "Explore." Click "Computer," "C," "Windows," and "System32." Drag and drop the "wpa.dbl" and "wpa.bak" files to the flash drive.

3. Restart the computer. Press any key when prompted to boot from CD.

4. Press "Enter" at the XP Welcome and "F8" at the license terms.

5. Highlight the drive containing XP and press "R" to reinstall.

6. Restart the computer. Tap "F8" as the computer is loading. Select "Minimal Safe Mode" and press "Enter."

7. Right click "Start" and select "Explore." Click "Computer," "C," "Windows," and "System32." Right click the "wpa.dbl" and "wpa.bak" files. Rename them. Copy and paste the "wpa.dbl" and "wpa.bak" files from the flash drive to the "System32" folder.

References

• Elder Geek: Activation Workaround