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Registration file saving

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by tnwalker

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What file hase the user/system information in it, that was created when Windows XP was regestered online with Microsoft? Need this file saved and copied back after reinstalling XP.

3 replies

by joseph moore

Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak
These are the activation files.
Here is the "backup and reinstall" procedure (in brief):

Re-install XP without re-activating
Make a backup of c:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl and wpa.bak.
Re-install XP.
Startup your new installation in safe mode.
Rename the new wpa.dbl file to wpa.nonactivated and wpa.bak to wpabak.nonactivated.
Copy the old wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files to the c:\windows\system32 dir.
(Only works if you have not changed your hardware setup)

hope this helps

by mark

Answer 1 is correct, but XP will reactivate online without problems if the hardware has not changed significantly. Even then you just call Microsoft and explain and they will help you activate it.

by blanchrt

["Re-install XP without re-activating
Make a backup of c:\windows\system32\wpa.dbl and wpa.bak.
Re-install XP...
etc."]

Just a clarification on Joseph's answer:

Line 1 "Re-install XP without re-activating" is the TITLE of the tip, NOT THE FIRST STEP.

If you do that before making the BACKUP of the wpa files, the workaround will be lost forever.

(I point this out because I myself got it wrong at first. Luckily, I gave it a second thought... I guess the misunderstanding is caused by the format in which the post is shown. Anyway, I thought my warning could be of help, at least for those with a mind scheme similar to mine :))

Thanks for the tip, Joseph.

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