XP recognises your PC configeration,so when you activate it,either via the web or via phone,Microsoft will 'ping' you a code that tells your software to work.Once logged onto the servers at Redmond,your details are stored,so if a friend asked you for your XP disc and placed it onto a new formated hard drive on their PC,it would install,unless it was a recovery disc,as the driver files are unique to your PC,but activation would fail.If your system goes down the tubes in the future,and you have to format your hard drive(s),you will need to speak to a Microsoft rep to activate your system again.If your details dont match those stored with them,any amount of jumping up and down wont help.Stay legal at all times.
Nez.
