Why God? Why? XP asks for re-register...

[Sillyname]

I simply disabled the onboard sound and ethernet on my SOYO P4VGA motherboard and XP saw it as an ALL NEW motherboard and started asking me to register in 3 days after having changed those settings in the BIOS! I had less trouble when I was a pirate. Think I might dust off the old eye patch one of these days, if things get anymore ridiculous.

[bazooka]

Is it asking for registration or activation?

Those are two different things.

Activation is harmless.

[Sillyname]

Is it asking for registration or activation?

Those are two different things.

Activation is harmless.

Activation.

We already did it but...C'MON? It's like XP isn't simply looking for an ID from your BIOS, it is looking at the configuration of the system through the BIOS. How dumb is that? Apparently the only "proper" way to disable onboard devices is through Control Panel. You'll have alot of red "x"s all over the place but MICROSOFT knows best!

[bazooka]

I wouldn't worry about it.

You can make so many changes in I believe six months before it asks for reactivation.

But, if XP detects a major change happened, it will prompt for reactivation.

This is probably what happened to you.

[Sillyname]

I wouldn't worry about it.

You can make so many changes in I believe six months before it asks for reactivation.

But, if XP detects a major change happened, it will prompt for reactivation.

This is probably what happened to you.

It's not what probably happened. It did. And it wasn't a major change. Just disabled some onboard devices in the BIOS. I bought a Turtle Beach Catalina soundcard and figured I might as well switch off any loose ends. Heh!

[bazooka]

I would just reactivate and not even give it a second thought.

Not trying to be rude but you are making a big fuss about nothing.

Now if you got locked out of XP and did not have a install disc then that would be a different story.

[rallynavvie]

Agreed, there are so many worse things that could happen that reactivation is nothing. I have to do this all the time when I mess up my overclock settings. When I had to get the CD replaced they asked me about all the reactivations too. I told the tech about the overclocking and he said it was a pretty common thing. You've got to look at it from their point of view too, XP is one of the most pirated apps on the market.

[Sillyname]

I would just reactivate and not even give it a second thought.

Not trying to be rude but you are making a big fuss about nothing.

Now if you got locked out of XP and did not have a install disc then that would be a different story.

I wasn't really looking for a different opinion. I'm angry whether or not you wouldn't be. This is the COMPUTER forum not the emotional support forum. I can't excuse Microsoft for being so suspicious that they try to disable my computer. I actually do work on it. I don't even have it hooked up to the internet because I don't want to have to keep on getting security updates and virus software patches. I paid for everything I have on it and now I just want to be left alone...

[Sillyname]

Agreed, there are so many worse things that could happen that reactivation is nothing. I have to do this all the time when I mess up my overclock settings. When I had to get the CD replaced they asked me about all the reactivations too. I told the tech about the overclocking and he said it was a pretty common thing. You've got to look at it from their point of view too, XP is one of the most pirated apps on the market.

Well something did sorta happen when the new activation code was entered. Mostly cosmetic. Icons missing and whatnot. I've got to go and sort it out after work. The system is over at a friend's house. Everytime he touches it something goes wrong. He's a flint and steel kinda guy, if you get my drift. His mannerism is very conducive to editing, though and so he edits like a grandma knitting a sweater but everytime he calls me, my stomach starts to lurch upward. I wish he'd get some computer learning in him.

[adam]

Well naturally this shouldn't happen. I enable/disable onboard stuff all the time without having to reactivate. Its probably something peculiar to your mobo.

Activation is fine and dandy up until what...the 10th one? Then your activation code doesn't work and you have to call in. It prompts you for that number and it takes FOREVER to wait for the answering service to read back your new number. Ok, it takes maybe 3 mins but its still annoying. But then, in my experience, it doesn't work 50% of the time for no reason so you get a live operator instead but they barely speak English. No offense to non-native English speakers, but its just difficult to understand them.

[handyguy]

You can also back up your license to a floppy disk.

At the desktop, push F1, enter ' license' you should get some nifty instructions on this.

[Cobra]

I have never been asked for re-activation either, same as Adam (unless it is a complete reformat and reinstall). I think it is fair enough that Microsoft try to protect their software in this way - it is very painless for me to activate Windows, but I bet it wouldn't be for a pirate.

When I moved my copy of Windows XP to my new machine it wouldn't activate. I called them and explained that I had an upgrade to XP and not a "complete" version they said it wasn't a problem, gave me a code and off I went. It has subsequently activated online within three seconds since then.

What's the big deal? They're taking a small step to protect their products, not watching your every step. I am quite happy to allow it if it causes pirates a headache.

Cobra

[glockjs]

same thing ive done like 10 times in the last month...stupid hardware upgrades

[stiltman]

I used the corp select version when I was forced to install it..no actavation nicker: