I just recently formated then reinstalled XP home on my old LAPTOP using one of the dell cd's which comes with your computer when you buy it.  I have done this before with no problems but now affter I install windows I ACTIVATE it as prompted to do within 30 days and then when 30 days is up it says "Windows must be activated" so I hit ok and it logs me out of windows...and there is no way around this cycle.  This is pretty stupid...I am trying to get this laptop up to par so I can sell it to someone but this hinders that.  

Any help would be great.  Contact Microsoft. I think you only get 3 ACTIVATIONS with a copy of XP before you have to contact the mothership.  

If the copy of XP came with another computer, you cannot legally install it on this one, and it will cause problems with the activation on the other machine it is installed on.

Microsoft demands you be legal. One copy of Windows for each machine.Yeah its legal its the purple cd which includes sp2.  Would you happen to know Microsofts phone number where I could speak to someone about this?1-800-MICROSOFT?LoL...well I have never had any luck contacting them by 800 number but I will try that  :-?Be SURE to tell them that we said Hi...