R00KIE

I don't know if that is possible .... i've read somewhere (and i've tried it) that windows restores the value to what it was before you manually changed it (it sucks doesn't it?). Been there tried that now i'm trying find all the programs i need and i'm trying to figure how to sign the drivers. That will solve the problem

Ok .... i think i have already tried what you suggest. I have access to the oem files and the correct key to install windows. The thing is that the XP Home OEM cd that i bought (so i can install windows not just use the crappy recovery CDs) comes with a XP that identifies as: Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158 : Service Pack 2). It just doesn't work and thats it. I think i will have to download an image of an older XP cd so i can do what i want. The thing is .... the xp that came with my notebook is in Portuguese and i live in Portugal, but i want the English version of windows, plus i hate the recovery CDs. Plus i really need the whole thing to be completely legal. Maybe i will just download a pre SP1 image, slipstream SP2 and use the activation files of the one i have (backup wpa files so the serial matches) .... if it works. Anyway, thank you for your help and insight, once i try it i will tell you how it went.

Hello all. I've bought recently a cd of WinXP home oem and i've tried all i could remember (read all i could find on the net) to backup my activation. I've tried the OEM files from the crappy recovery cds (and no, i haven't used the serial on the sticker but the one that is really used) and i've tried to backup the wpa.dbl and wpa.bak without any success. When i install windows it always complains that i need to activate it I've tried putting the wpa.??? files on the $OEM$ folder, i've tried compressing them and putting them directly on I386 but nothing If it helps the cd comes with sp2 pre-installed (or slipstreamed if you prefer) and the files have a modified date of 28-02-2006. Does anyone have a clue how i could backup the activation?