To Xp or not to Xp?

[Patrick]

Questions on XP "product activation".

No "product activation" to contend with...

Is "product activation" also required with XP Professional or is it only necessary with XP Home Edition?

Another question along the same lines - In a computer built for video editing with no internet access, how does "product activation" take place? A phone call? Then what?

[SitFlyer]

Product activation is required on all versions of XP.

[Patrick]

Product activation is required on all versions of XP.

Are you absolutely sure? I've heard otherwise.

[wkulecz]

There is a corporate version that is pre-activated, but I think you need 10 seats to break even.

With no internet connection you call Microsoft, read them a long magic number, they then give you ~50digit magic number to type in to activate.

IF you buy a Dell or other "brand name" you recive a BIOS locked version that won't run on any other machine.

--wally.

[Patrick]

Thanks for clarifying that, Wally.

Just out of curiosity, when a new computer is being assembled from components and XP is to be used, will the computer not run at all until it's been activated with these "magic" numbers?

[Technoid]

30 days
and then.............it will only alowe you to activate it

[Patrick]

Ah, thanks Technoid.