How long to validate xp?

Question

I have had to reinstall xp home from a Dell restore disk after an attempt to install a program went wrong, and corrupted the os.

During the reinstall it asked whether to validate windows now or later, I chose later.

Can you tell me what happens next. Will it ask again and how often, and what happens if I keep chosing later, will it eventually lock-up..

Answer 1

If you dont validate windows you will not be able to receive any Windows updates or patches.

Answer 2

Yes, you must do it within 30 days.  I don't know what happens after that, but would surmise that Windows will not work after that.

When I went through this process, I encountered a small problem.  On entering the product key, an error message appeared, stating that the product key was invalid, because it had been used too many times.  Instructions were given to telephone Microsoft on the freephone number provided (onscreen), quoting the reference number that also appeared.

This process only took about five minutes, but you will be asked whether your Windows XP is running on any other machine (answer no).

Answer 3

you got 30 days if you don,t windows wont load justs keep shutting down

Answer 4

You have 30 days to validate Windows, after that the program will not function.  It will keep asking you to validate.  When you are ready to do so, just click on the little key in the system tray.  

Answer 5

http://filesharefreak.com/tutorials/how-...

try this

Answer 6

do it now then it is done with.

Answer 7

You don't have to wait if you have a genuine copy of XP, or it will annoy you of a Pop Up asking you everytime to validate.