WINDOWS XP - (OEM) RE-INSTALLATION

I have never registered a single installation.
Not even sure of the point. I think you're concern is with the activation, never had a problem with that except when I've done Major hardware overhauls.

Rest assured that as long as your copy of XP is genuine you should have no trouble activating it once you have it reinstalled.

Not sure of the exact number of days, but Microsoft does allow you to use automatic activation after a period of time.

Since you are planning to start over, now is a good time to review any hardware upgrades you have been thinking about.

At a minimum, take a look at the free space on your hard drive and consider a new hard drive.

If you just reinstall, you do have 2 options.

1. Format the hard drive and start over.

2. Just replace Windows.

If you boot from the XP CD and follow the normal install process, you can point the installer to use your existing Windows folder. This wipes out Windows, updates, and the registry. The advantage here is that your files are still in place and the installation of your applications will go faster as they only need to create the registry values and install common files.

Which ever way you go, make sure to:

Back up your files and account settings.

Have all of the product keys for your applications.

Chas