I will be formating my system once a month because i use it as multi os system. Basically i will be using the linux os in it , so if any problem comes to it i reinstall the os again. last month i have lost all the activation limits given by the online activation method . Can anyone clarify that backup cd can be used any no of times with or without giving activation key ?

Most of the time the restore of an activated system backup does not require re-activation. However, if there are any changes to the hardware you will most likely be promted to activate again. Also, if certain restored files are either missing or corrupted you will probably be promted to re-activate. It is not possible to state absolutely that you will not have to re-activate. There are too many conditions that may ask for re-activation.Please remember to click Mark as Answer on the post that helps you, and to click Unmark as Answer if a marked post does not actually answer your question. This can be beneficial to other community members reading the thread.

On Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:35:19 +0000, siva talasila wrote: I will be formating my system once a month because i use it as multi os system. Basically i will be using the linux os in it , so if any problem comes to it i reinstall the os again. last month i have lost all the activation limits given by the online activation method . Can anyone clarify that backup cd can be used any no of times with or without giving activation key ? That's correct. There is no limit to the number of times you can reinstall. You may or may not have to reactivate, and if you do, you may have to do it by voice phone call instead of over the internet, but that's quick and easy. Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP