The “regular” methods provided with XP (phone and online) don’t work anymore. The phone number is not valid for activation anymore (I tried the German one) and the online activation does not work either (in a quick test within a DMZ other protocols like ICMP or HTTP worked fine when I accessed an internet server).

Can Windows XP still be activated?

In order to get the most out of Windows XP, you’ll need to activate it using your Windows XP product key. If you have an internet connection or dial-up modem, you can get activated with just a few clicks. … If you positively cannot get Windows XP activated, you can bypass the activation message.

What happens if Windows XP not activated?

Windows Vista’s penalty for failure to activate is much harsher that of Windows XP. After a grace period of 30 days, Vista enters “Reduced Functionality Mode” or RFM. Under RFM, you can’t play any Windows games. You will also lose access to premium features such as Aero Glass, ReadyBoost or and BitLocker.