windows product activation

[howl12]

hopefully someone can help, a buddy of mine thought he was installing windows office onto his fujitsu laptop, instead he installed windows xp from a compaq disk, now he can't get past the windows product activation screen, I know more than he does so i thought i could pop his system restore disk in to solve the problem, didn't work, any help would be appreciated, he told me to take it off any way i know how.

[festmaster]

If your friend still has the COA of his system OS he should be okay. Try to follow the product activation prompts. At some point, you should be presented with an option to activate over the phone and you will see a phone number for Microsoft to call. Call Microsoft and explain what happened. They will ask for the COA number and most likely give your friend a new activation code.

I think product activation is unfair and a pain, but my experience is that Microsoft is actually reasonable with people needing to reactivate for legitimate reasons. I have had no trouble getting reactivated when upgrading hard drives.

[Cobra]

Just ask Microsoft. They're more than fair - they didn't have to allow me to use my version of Windows when I built myself up a new machine, but agreed to do so without my asking. It's never a problem. Just tell them what happened and they will be able to sort you out, no bother.

[isogonic]

ms is really looking out for the same "licence"
that gets installed on multiple machines over a short period of time.

[kirky99]

Wasn't it the old Compaq VLK that was disabled by SP-1 or SP-2? I forget, it's been so long.

I just restored a Dell PC and it didn't ask for a Product Keywhich sortof surprised me. Activation was necessary however and that went without a hitch, but it was a Dell restore as well.

Something tells me you're NOT going to be able to activate that Compaq version of XP, regardless of the PC you install it on. I would call the Laptop manufacturer and find out what the proper way to restore the OS is on that laptop. For the Dell, it recovered from a different hard drive partition, NOT a recovery CD.

[ROF]

Format the drive and use the Compaq restore CD set. There should be 2 discs. You will only need disc 1 for OS restoration.

[TBoneit]

ROF it's a fujitsu laptop, I'm surprised that the compaq restore would work.

kirky99, for a while dells were shipping with XP setup disks that would setup with key and activation not needed. When I can use the Dell XP disk it saves me time on the phone to India to get the Xp activated. I usually have no luck getting internet activation if I use a non-Dell OEM XP on a Dell with the XP license from the side of the Dell. I suspect that those keys aren't in the MS activation database.

Also keep in mind that a OEM product key/license is not transferable to another computer. From what I was reading this week in fact. You can change many parts in the computer and re-use your OEM, as long as you do not change the motherboard except for repair. MS's viewpoint is that the Mobo is the heart of the computer and if you pull it and put in a faster board they consider it a new computer that needs a new license. This applies to OEM only as I understand it. I have the link at work if anyone feels a need to read further.

In kirky99's case I suspect the disc used wa sthe Dell branded XP disc.

[whitejremiah]

MS was a bit more harsh with me though when i upgraded my bios on my emachines computer because it WOULDNT ACCEPT MY VIDEO CARD.......well they weren't...they forewarded me to emachine's service who took it upon themselves to be complete knobs and tell me i had to go and buy a new copy of windows.....i then took it upon myself to revert to my copy of win2k that i had laying around from a now defunct pc that i had built quite some time back........i did eventually end up buying xp though :S

[thevoelk]

If you really get stuck trying to get a activation code from Microsoft. you could always buy an OEM copy from Newegg with a cheap piece of hardware. Technically, I think your supposed to be a system builder, as Microsoft calls it, but it'll be a legit copy that should blaze through the activation.

[ROF]

I usually do not recommend the OEM version of the microsoft OSs. You can only install it on one machine. Replacement of a motherboard is considered a different machine. Replacement with next generation hard drive is considered a different machine. Replacement of a video card is considered a different machine. If your OS dies and you own an OEM version you better pray you didn't upgrade anything since you activated. Microsoft has become increasingly aggressive in the lack of support for the OEM versions. The money spent on a retail version ensures full support and allows you to upgrade at your leisure. I usually perform a major system overhaul at least once a year. If I had to keep buying an OEM OS with each one I'd be broke.

OEM might save you money today, but it might guarantee a headache in the future.

[SingSing]

Format the drive and use the Compaq restore CD set. There should be 2 discs. You will only need disc 1 for OS restoration.

It bombs on my spouse Compaq.

[SingSing]

I usually do not recommend the OEM version of the microsoft OSs. You can only install it on one machine.

OEM might save you money today, but it might guarantee a headache in the future.

What is differences between an 'OEM' vs 'Retail' vs 'Come with my PC' version of XP license ?

[thecoalman]

kirky99, for a while dells were shipping with XP setup disks that would setup with key and activation not needed.

From my understanding they are stored in the bios on some machines, that disc is tied to that mobo. I've even done complete reformat of drive including wiping the restore partition that the manufacturer had on the comp. XP reinstalled without a hitch, no key or activation required.

It's not a Dell either...

[classfour]

I've had to both format the HDD - even to the extent of removing it and using Acronis or other tools to completely wipe the HDD; and clear the BIOS to do a reinstall of XP Pro after a MOBO or other upgrade. XP apparently stores info in both the BIOS of the MOBO, and MBR of the HDD.

[thevoelk]

Generally, when you buy your Dell/HP/Gateway etc, your "Come With My PC" is an OEM copy. MS cuts the system builders a deal on the cost of the OS so the system builder doesn't have to tack $200 onto the price of a new computer for XP Pro (I guess about $100 for XP home). In all actuallity, it's really the $200 (Retail Price) minus the OEM price would the cost not added to the computer.

Since you're only "building" one PC (I use that loosley since it's built and you're re-installing), an OEM will serve you fine. You don't need to install it on multiple PCs, and you'll run into the same problem with the retail version since you still have to activate it.

My earlier suggestion was to buy the OEM copy from newegg, I've done it before. It was, and I don't see why it would have changed, a generic copy meant for system builders. It has no less than functionality than the retail, but it must be sold with hardware. Newegg probably won't let you check out until a piece of hardware is inlcuded in your order.

ROF, where did you hear that replacing anything but the system board is a different machine? MS understands hardware fails, and one or two hardware changes, aren't going to kill it. If it detects a new hard drive, no big deal. Same with a video card. If it detects those, plus a new NIC and sound card with an extra GB of RAM, it's going to assume it's a new PC. If replacing a mainboard was that big of a deal. MS wouldn't have instructions on their site on how to do it and circumvent the activation. My MS rep sent me an email detailing how it determines the activation, and the checks don't necessarily imply just a new piece of hardware or a replacement piece of hardware will kill it.

[Steve Stepoway]

When Windoze starts it checks a number of things to see if they are the same as when installed: video card, drives, etc. Each thing that has changed has a point value, and as long as you don't have too many points, it thinks that all is OK. If you have too many points, it thinks it's been tranfered to another machine, and re-activation is needed. The critical item actually isn't the MoBo, but the network adapter's MAC address. If that changes, it thinks it's a new machine, even if all else is the same.

I recently upgraded the MoBo in an XP machine (integrated network, so the MAC address was different), and though it had to re-activate, there was no trouble at all with it, and it all happened automatically.

Steve

[whitejremiah]

ROF is full of it......i've replaced every component in my rig pretty much before my OEM copy didnt work........like i said earlier in my post, it finally failed when i went to update the bios....i replaced the video card, the sound card, threw in more ram, threw in a second hdd....all on an OEM copy of windows...so believe ROF who just wants MS to get more of your money or believe me who has actually had first hand experiance with it personally......yes he may build pc's for a living, but appearently doesnt know enough about windows to be doing so.....and i hadn't changed the NIC, but i did add in a wireless one, so im not sure what that accounts for....

[ROF]

When Windoze starts it checks a number of things to see if they are the same as when installed: video card, drives, etc. Each thing that has changed has a point value, and as long as you don't have too many points, it thinks that all is OK. If you have too many points, it thinks it's been tranfered to another machine, and re-activation is needed.

Correct! I'm sorry I didn't explain my previous post further but you gotta laugh at those who believe they can continue re-using an OEM version of windows XP on every machine they desire to add it to. It isn't just a specific part but once you go over the magic category number your system is no longer considered the same system. The OEM won't allow reactivation. You have to call Microsoft and hope they allow you to revalidate (they assign a new activation) your upgraded system.

As someone already pointed out, I do build systems quite frequently, upgrade systems, repair hardware/software, install/troubleshoot networking, and assorted other electronics jobs. I've come across several cases with Windows XP OEM versions not being reactivated/revalidated. When calling Microsoft I am told the system can not be validated because they considered the upgrades made to the system a complete overhaul and thus would require a new OS installation.

If you don't believe it can happen, that's fine with me. But I'm quite sure I'm not the only one who has run into this issue.

[whitejremiah]

this is what the computer gods made norton ghost and acronis true image for though

[ROF]

this is what the computer gods made norton ghost and acronis true image for though

Yep! It's great to have your "ghosted" windows recognize a 3Ghz P4, 2GB DDR2 as a 1Ghz P3 256MB DRAM computer.

I'd love to see it boot.

[whitejremiah]

you ghost it after the upgrades......and only do one upgrade at a time

[ROF]

and once get to one too many . . . . enjoy the purchase of a new OS. Hopefully a retail version this time.

[Steve Stepoway]

If you don't believe it can happen, that's fine with me. But I'm quite sure I'm not the only one who has run into this issue.

Absolutely I believe it. My experience was with a site-licensed version I got through a university I teach at. Well, actually the disk is an OEM version, but I figure the site licensing has something to do with it. All I can speak to is my experience, which was smoother than I had expected.

Steve

[SingSing]

Most of the site license for MS products, does not use registration number, the coporate name is embedded in the product.

If you install those at home PC, mostly MS get paid by the corp.

[burnman99]

Just get an OEM copy of Win2k....Legal and no stupid activiation need apply. Or run linux, upgradeable and still no activation need apply. There are options.


Later,

Roger

[tphaggerty]

Well, I've replaced motherboards at least 3 times with WinXP OEM licences (just did it last week again on the kids machine). Had no trouble redoing Activation through the internet - didn't have to call or anything. Took about 10 seconds or less.

The whole "OEM is only allowed for one motherboard" thing is a load of bunk. It doesn't say that anywhere on the license I got when I bought my OEM version. The only requirement was that I buy it with some qualifying hardware, which I did. MS may say something different on the website, but in practice it isn't a problem at all. And it may well be true for a computer you buy from Dell, etc. And those little stickers they give you go on the CASE, not on the motherboard!

Sorry if I treading on any toes, but I think those PC builders that keep saying this want the cut they get from selling a new license with each machine they build.

[tphaggerty]

ROF is absolutely full of it. Does he really think that a ghosted version of WinXP won't recognize the new motherboard, processor speed and all? I just replaced an AMD Althon 1200 motherboard/processor with an Intel 2.94 Celeron/MSI and it works just great. Any yes, WinXP booted just fine, recognized all of the new hardware and goodies and THEN WinXP reactivated over the internet in less than 10 seconds. And I confirmed that the machine is running correctly with Sandra and a number of other tools. Sheesh, quit spreading FUD, obviously you haven't done this yourself so why are you putting yourself out there as an expert?

The biggest problem is getting the new drive correctly set up to boot, I haven't used Ghost for that, BootIt NG doesn't do so well, but I have successfully used the utilities that came with Maxtor, Seagate and WD to clone boot drives for new motherboards (all swaps, I clone the original drive just in case things don't work out).

[ROF]

ROF is absolutely full of it.

Sorry, it's a generally accepted fact that windows stores information about your hardware and when changing motherboards, processors and other hardware you would not be able to boot into windows properly by simply taking a hard drive from one computer and putting into the new one.

I really wish that was possible because it would make diagnosing OS issues so much easier if all I had to do was tell a client to bring their hard drive to the shop instead of the entire tower.

who's full of it?

[thecoalman]

I'll have to agree with ROF on this one.... did I just say that. Even installing a new graphics card over a old one can present problems. Even when you have removed all traces manually, there's bound to be something somewhere..

Doing that may work but it's not something I would attempt to do unless it was necessary.

[ROF]

Yep! It's something called drivers that most hardware utilizes. There are motherboard drivers, system drivers, LAN drivers, sound drivers, video drivers, third party drivers, etc.

You can't simply swap out a motherboard and have your hard drive boot up.

Of course, given the choices of an athlon 1200 and a celeron 2930, I'd take the athlon everytime. Especially the overclocking wonder that is the thunderbird chip.

Do they even make a 2.94Ghz celeron?