Every version of XP (and other Micro$haft software) uses 'product activation technology'.

Billy got tired of losing a fortune to pirates, even though it probably only made a slight dint in his profits.

So a new method of validating copies of Windows was dreamed up - after installation you are prompted to activate your copy.

If you are using a genuine version it will 'activate' successfully (usually!), otherwise a message pops up explaining that you haven't got a genuine copy, and so cannot activate, so goodbye! If you don't activate within 30 days you are locked out anyway.

Corporate versions and OEM versions on many branded PCs have this validation already activated, so the user is unaware of it.

Needless to say, people have found ways of bypassing the activation...

If your version is genuine, there's nothing to worry about. If you have a pirate copy with the activation bypassed, you won't be able to download and updates.

However, if you have a pirate copy, Micro$haft will allow you to convert it to a genuine copy if you part with some cash...

We may not agree with Billy's ethics, but those of us who pay for a genuine copy have a right to use it, and to know that the parasites who won't pay are being penalised.

There is an argument which says that piracy puts up the price for the honest end users, and software prices would come down if piracy were stopped. We all know that is true, now don't we, children?!!! Hah!!