Painless XP Install on A31p

[RWDPLZ]

Last time I installed Windows XP on my A31p a few years ago, I used an OEM XP Pro install disc, and the XP Pro key on the bottom of the laptop. When I tried to activate it over the internet, I got an error, and had to call Microsoft and activate it over the phone. PITA but worked fine.

I finally got the laptop working again (though it was a bad motherboard, turned out to be the AC adapter jack, solderd new one on and good to go), and I had to reinstall XP again. This time, it went perfectly, installed SP3 and every other update from the MS site, even WGA Advantage, and no activation problem. I was pleasantly suprised.

Did it work this time because they validated the key a few years ago, and now have it on file? Still, I'm not complaining.

[Harryc]

Did it work this time because they validated the key a few years ago, and now have it on file? Still, I'm not complaining.

Yeah, the only reason they'd require revalidation is if you had a few major hardware changes.