Winxp internet activation times exceeded?

I bought 3 copies of WinXP Pro.

With 1 particular copy, I normally when i upgrade or do a complete overhaul of my pc components on my pc, i've reformatted my drive and installed a fresh copy of WinXP Pro and use internet to reactivate my winxp pro

but this time the internet activation came back with the number of times you activated has exceeded the allowed amount and that I should ring MS activation support to get a new installation id which consists of 7 six digit numbers.

I rang MS Australia's toll free number 1800-642-008 and some American accent guy handled my call and gave me my new 7 six digit installation id

I asked him what to do when i upgrade my pc and freshly format and install again, he said that from now on i need to call MS Activation support and do this via the phone and that internet activation is no longer an option for this particular copy of WinXP Pro ?

Is this right ? isn't there any way of doing the reactivation via internet anymore for that particular copy of WinXP Pro ?