can someone tell me the name of the file in winxp that you can backup so that you don't have to activate winxp after you format your system.

The XP Product Activation database files are Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak

Do a search on these files at google and you will find good instructions.

Good luck! :-)

that's right: it is the wpa.dbl and you should copy it and back it up. later when you reinstall windows, restart in safe mode and replace the file and then restart again in normal. good luck!