Can Someone Please Explain How

[Aztlan]

well, i have this system, Athlon Xp 2400+, 1 gb pc 2700 ram , 9700 pro+ asus A7N8X deluxe board
i originally installed windows xp and activated it with the same system but the hd was a 80 gb WD HD

now today i install windows xp on the same machine but with a 36 gb raptor drive
more like an upgrade, but it keeps asking me to activate it, and when i do , the stupid thing comes and says that i exceeded the activation of the computer
argghhh
explanation please

[Krelian]

ok, xp activation sends some data to microsoft based on your system setup to let them identify your pc. according to them, it doesn't reveal anything to them about your machine, but it will let them know if you've changed anything hardware-wise. if you change enough, i hear it will treat your computer as a new machine, which is what it sounds like you've had happen. i'm not sure what to tell you besides to call/email microsoft.

[bl0ss0m]

Yup like jman says, there is a different hardware id for each computer, but building a identical one should give you the same hardware id. If you get that exceeded error, you can wait a week or so and you can probably register online once again, if you don't want to wait or just don't wanna see that nagging bubble everytime you start up. Call up to register, it is automated first, but if it still doesn't work, it will foward you to a CS rep and he/she will help but of course some people will have a more b*tchy attitude thinking you stole the proggie <_<