When my friend's Compaq computer became so corrupted as to make it unusable, I re-installed Win XP but was then not able to activate it either over the internet or by using the "telephone" method.The XP installation disk had been purchased and used to initially install Windows XP several years ago when it had been purchased to replace the Windows Vista OS that originally came with his computer and used again a couple of years later for a "re-install" when he was again having problems.
However, validating now will enable faster access to the Download Center in the future when validation may be required.This and the way it was pushed onto systems quietly in the early days has led many people to label WGA as borderline spyware. If the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications rightly or wrongly detects a not genuine Windows XP, You’ll get this on boot: The Resolve Now button will take you to Microsoft where they try and sell you the latest Windows as XP isn’t available any more.The Resolve Later will allow you to boot, but all is not well on the desktop: Three things happen to your desktop; firstly, the background goes black and although you can add your own wallpaper back in, it will be reset to black again every 60 minutes while the activation status is failed.Windows activation is not required for genuine Windows validation.You may access genuine Windows downloads with either an activated Windows client, or by validating to receive a Microsoft Windows downlad key.