stupid microsoft

[glockjs]

this is the second time this week xp pro has done this. added a gig extra of ram. and it said due to recent hardware changes windows is required to be re activated blah blah. ok, whatever called and got it done. this time put in aiw 9800pro and extra hdd and yup once again. its a pain in the arse to call and deal with the automated system then get somebody from india after that that doesnt even care and just give u the number u need anyways. whats the whole point. i guess xp does it everytime u make a hardware change.

stupid microsoft. anybody else have to deal with this bull?

[adam]

Yes it sucks. Their customer support people are nice and helpful and all, its just really hard to understand them because none of them are native English speakers.

I knew XP required reactiviation after a major upgrade but I'm suprised it was triggered just from adding more ram or a new vid card. The only time I've ever had to reactivate was after installing a new mobo.

[SLICK RICK]

Yes, once I switched my C: drive to a different IDE channel and had to call and get a reactivation number.

SLICK RICK....

[bazooka]

It usually allows for so many changes before reactivation.

You may have hit your limit.

I think it starts over after 6 months.

[888888]

I am planning to upgrade to a new computer and I have a related question. I have one copy of Windows XP Home and I want to use that copy on my new computer. How would I go about "de-activating" Windows on my old system so I can have my one version on the new system and activate it without problems?

[bazooka]

You would have to call microsoft and tell them you want to transfer the os to a different computer.

[888888]

You would have to call microsoft and tell them you want to transfer the os to a different computer.

That's what I was afraid of. I just hate calling companies and listening to background music for half an hour. Never had to call Microsoft except when I activated and that was all automated. Any more details on how the process works? How do they make sure you are still not using it on the old computer?

Thanks Bazooky

[bazooka]

No problem

They go by the product id number.

It is usually verified online.

[adam]

You get 10 unhindered activations. After that you have to call in, and it never resets.

Its weird. Sometimes you can use the automated system. The activation windows randomly creates a string of code. You read it to their system and it gives you a new code. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't work you have to get one from one of their agents, who are very difficult to understand. Still, it takes maybe 5 mins total.

As far as installing the os on another pc...what are you guys talking about? You don't have to do anything special at all. Simply install it on the new pc and activate it as normal.

[bazooka]

Adam,

The serial is only good for one computer unless you have a corporate copy.

[adam]

I guess my copy has some license restrictions removed because the license agreement doesn't say anything about that and I've installed it on all my pcs, and even told the agent that when calling in. I bought mine through my college for a whopping $5 so it may have a special license agreement.

You really have to buy an os for each pc? Wow, that's shitty.

[bazooka]

I guess my copy has some license restrictions removed because the license agreement doesn't say anything about that and I've installed it on all my pcs, and even told the agent that when calling in. I bought mine through my college for a whopping $5 so it may have a special license agreement.

You really have to buy an os for each pc? Wow, that's shitty.

Yep.

You probably have a coporate volume license key copy.

Microssoft designed it that way to discourage piracy.

[888888]

I guess my copy has some license restrictions removed because the license agreement doesn't say anything about that and I've installed it on all my pcs, and even told the agent that when calling in. I bought mine through my college for a whopping $5 so it may have a special license agreement.

You really have to buy an os for each pc? Wow, that's shitty.

Isn't it illegal to have Windows on more than one (or two) of your computers??? For example, you are supposed to buy a new disc of Windows 98 for every new computer you have at home. The liscense only covers one system.

With the new activation, they will not let you use the code from a computer that is already currently activated. That is the whole point of activation. Otherwise, you could just give it to your friends for his computer. How can Microsoft tell the difference between your computer and your friend's?

I could be wrong.

[bazooka]

I guess my copy has some license restrictions removed because the license agreement doesn't say anything about that and I've installed it on all my pcs, and even told the agent that when calling in. I bought mine through my college for a whopping $5 so it may have a special license agreement.

You really have to buy an os for each pc? Wow, that's shitty.

Isn't it illegal to have Windows on more than one (or two) of your computers??? For example, you are supposed to buy a new disc of Windows 98 for every new computer you have at home. The liscense only covers one system.

With the new activation, they will not let you use the code from a computer that is already currently activated. That is the whole point of activation. Otherwise, you could just give it to your friends for his computer. How can Microsoft tell the difference between your computer and your friend's?

I could be wrong.

They tell by the product id number that is used when you install.

Then the serial key is checked to see if installed on another computer.

[adam]

There's no law saying how many times you can install any given software program. The restrictions are in the license that you agree to when you purchase the product. As I said, my copy doesn't have any restrictions like this. I knew corporate licenses were like this because you would not buy thousands of copies for all of your thousands of office pcs. You'd buy one copy under one license and pay much more for the right to install it multiple times.

Since the only copy of XP I have ever had allowed me to install it on multiple pcs, I just assumed this was how the general license was written. Obviously I have a corporate license or something similar. The version I have was purchased via a grant at UT Austin. Some company purchased a bunch of licenses to various Microsoft programs and sold them to students at $5 a disk. I bought one of everything.

[VideoTechMan]

Ive also bought a copy of XP Pro though my college when I was attending, like Adam and it was the coporate edition, with the volume license key, so I was able to install it on all of my machines with no problems. Apparently this copy of Windows is exempt from activation requirements since it has the volume license key. Seems like coporations have alot of advantages.

VTM

[bazooka]

I had a copy of xp home which I never use any more.

I ran into problems with putting home on more than 1 computer.

I also have the xp pro corporate version with the volume license key as well.

I no longer have that problem.

@888888

This is how they detect if you can install the service pack or not.

It is determined by the pid which is randomly generated then the serial key.

[DereX888]

Isn't it illegal to have Windows on more than one (or two) of your computers???

Unfortunately it is legal You can have windows on as many computers as you want... but it would be foolish to do so though