Author Topic: XP Activation (Read 825 times)

Morpheus · « **on:** August 22, 2004, 01:25:35 PM »

Ok, did a reformat to clean up my HD and start freash.

Everything went ok up until the point where I rebooted and XP started up. When I got to the desktop it asked me to activate my windows version of XP blah blah blah...

I went through all of the steps and it said the number of times I could activate my copy of XP with that key was over the limit. I only put this copy on this PC and none other. When I went to on line help ofcourse it was telling me I had to buy another frickin CD key for 189 dollars or so...

Anyone experienced anything similar?

nsty1 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2004, 01:52:30 PM »

Did you make radical changes?(hardware) that would be the only time,that i've encountered that would ask for the activation key.

Estes · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2004, 03:02:01 PM »

get XP corp edition and you won't have to deal with that activation crap.

Morpheus · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2004, 04:50:30 PM »

What did you do to go about solving that issue nsty?

nsty1 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2004, 05:13:11 PM »

I have the xp corp. version,but im afraid you may have to contact
ol'Bill if you have the home edition.

Boat · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2004, 05:23:31 PM »

You can find out all you don't want to know about the windows activation system here

From what you say in the message it should not have gone off on you unless you've also recently installed it on another computer.

JB66 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2004, 08:11:20 PM »

There is a "crack" for all versions of XP. I know about it because I work in a computer shop as a paid hobby. When I say all versions, I mean XP pro, XP home, XP oem, XP corp (there are many available for this one).

However, if it is a legitimate version, I would'nt crack it. I might be mistaken, but you can install XP one one home system and one laptop, if the condition of neither system being on at the same time.

The best thing would be to call MS support number given when you are trying to activate the os. They don't ask any "personal" questions and usually are friendly.

Morpheus · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2004, 09:32:14 PM »

heh, well I found the problem (I guess ). I pulled out my network card while I was screwing about in there and adding a few new toys. Basicly I just made room and used the onboard plug on my mobo.

I dont know why but this or whatever the heel happend in the process made the diff. I went to give it a second try and presto. Windows has now been activated.

They aught to just do away with this reactivation crap IMHO. With the billions of dollars that Bill Ghaytes makes a year you'd think they'd find a way around this jargin and make it more, well betterer to reformat and not so sensitive to change within your system between formats.

grrr.

Edbert · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2004, 07:28:02 AM »

Call Microsoft. Tell them your HHD died and you did a re-install. They wont ask many questions, they'll just give you a new key. I've done it a dozen times.

Kev367th · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2004, 12:28:41 PM »

Thats unusual.
A normal reformat/re-install etc shouldn't affect your ability to activate Windows XP, what does affect it is a lot of hardware changes with re-installs.This is because XP generates a key based on your hardare config (may include NIC mac address and other serial number hardware), which it then hashes with your Windows activation key and sends to Bill. After lots of hardware changes and reinstalls it changes too much and you have to call uncle Bill and explain/beg/plead.

Boat · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2004, 01:15:23 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by JB66
I might be mistaken, but you can install XP one one home system and one laptop, if the condition of neither system being on at the same time.

The licence agreement for windows XP home and Pro allows installation on only one computer. You are allowed to remove it from one computer and install it on another but not if you have the cheaper OEM edition which is tied to the hardware with which it was purchased.

However..... The activation system gets wiped clean when there is no activity (hardware or other changes requiring reactivation) for 120 days so certain things not in the licence agreement may be possible

Micro$oft has said that at some time they may actually disable the activation system. Like maybe when hell freezes over.

And you thought you actually owned that copy of Win XP????????

JB66 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 24, 2004, 08:05:38 AM »

OOPs!!

Your right Boat. It use to be an old version of MS office that allowed it to be used on a laptop and a desktop, as long as they were not used at the same time.

Edbert · « **Reply #12 on:** August 24, 2004, 12:44:24 PM »

FWIW, I just got off the phone with Microsoft. I called them to get a new activation key for Server-2003. I had to re-install due to a RAID reconfiguration. They only asked me how many machines I was using this key on (trick question I guess), I told them just this one and they gave me a new hash.

Ghosth · « **Reply #13 on:** August 24, 2004, 02:20:31 PM »

Atually with the quite litteral tons of money the Bill Gates & MS have made they should release the next OS for free.

IMO there is no excuse for your OS telling you to deposit another XXX $ because you changed a network card.

And you know what? As soon as we stop buying that buggy crap, they'll die. Someone better will come along to replace it.

(Steps down off the kill billgatesebub & MS soapbox)

Skuzzy · « **Reply #14 on:** August 24, 2004, 02:36:31 PM »

Won't happen Ghosth. Apathy and ignorance have built that monopoly and nothing is going to tear it down.