1. Your authorization is based entirely on your Hard Drive. You can change everything in your machine, but as long as the authorized HD still exists somewhere in it you don't have to re-authorize. It will -not- survive a reformat, but your same challenge and response code will work after the reformat. So you should print/save your registration after completion and keep a copy somewere handy. << Well, this has answered MY primary concern. Since I tend to use the same HD for years and years (hey, as long as it's working and I've still got space, why replace it?) and it doesn't matter if I replace my video or audio cards or even my motherboard, then I'm good to go. As it is, I keep a file of my access codes and other such items so that I know where to find them (can you say rolodex cards, boys and girls?). So, if the codes will work after a reformat (and believe me, if you have win98 you reformat from time to time otherwise your programs just up and stop working on you and who the heck has $400 for Win2K?) then I'm good to go. Thanks for the clarification, Rylan, it's appreciated. Kate