Activation and Validation

[Guest]

Firstly I'm wondering what's the difference between activation and validation.

If I've activated and validated (and can get updates with Microsoft Update)
does it mean that the windows product is genuine and legal?

Also I heard that the cd-key is matched with the computer machine. Say if I
upgrade my computer, including major upgrades like CPU or mainboard then will
the Windows not work?

Thank you

 

[Brian A.]

Firstly I'm wondering what's the difference between activation and
validation.

If I've activated and validated (and can get updates with Microsoft
Update)
does it mean that the windows product is genuine and legal?

That's the way they see it.

Also I heard that the cd-key is matched with the computer machine. Say if
I
upgrade my computer, including major upgrades like CPU or mainboard then
will
the Windows not work?

Major device upgrades are cause for your preference, total format and
clean install or repair install. A format/install as you know is a loss of
everything on the drive requiring the OS and all apps to be reinstalled,
including critical updates. A repair install will maintain your apps/data
hopefully without loss and re-enumerate your devices with the exception of
critical updates that will have to be reinstalled.

When XP is installed/activated, the Product Key is matched to the
hardware in the machine and uses point values per device. For info see:
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

To expand a bit on what Brian has told you:

Activation is mandatory and must be completed shortly after any clean or
repair installation to continue using the system. It is done by means of a
hardware hash that is created from the system and product key, no personal
information is used. Validation is optional in some cases and is used to
verify that the copy of Windows in use falls within the licensing terms
before allowing downloads of updates and add-ons. Essentially, both are in
place to reduce the amount of casual copying (ie: sharing among friends) of
Windows. Neither stops the die-hard pirating, it just makes it more
difficult (and sometimes more difficult for the consumer as well <sigh>).

Can you replace the cpu and motherboard? That depends. Under the terms of a
retail license you can as it is allowed to be used on one system at a time
and can be readily transferred to another system should the user wish to.
Unfortunately, in the real world many users wind up with OEM licenses (some
because they come with the system, some because they purchased the cheaper
license with a piece of hardware). An OEM license is cheaper in part because
they are not transferable. What this means is that the OEM license is
permanently tied to the first system it is activated on. As a motherboard is
viewed as the heart of any system (and let's be realistic here, it is), you
generally cannot change this part. However, you can change or add other
parts, including the cpu, though an excessive number may require
reactivation (but it is allowable and you will be given a new activation
code).

On that note, changing major pieces of hardware generally requires that you
reinstall Windows. Unlike some earlier Win9x versions, an "over the top"
reinstall is not the way you do this. If you do, what you wind up with is a
parallel installation where none of your installed software works and your
old user accounts are inaccessible (the SID's won't match the new
installation). Instead, rather than a format/clean install, what you perform
is a repair installation. This is achieved two ways: From within a running
Windows installation insert the disk and follow the setup prompts where you
can choose an "in place upgrade". Or, you can boot the system with the CD
and start the install process, then at the point where you choose the
installation location it should recognize the existing installation and
offer to repair it. Hint: Do NOT hit "r" the first time you see it to repair
the system when initially booting, this gives you the Recovery Console. You
want to follow the setup steps and do the repair at the partitioning screen.
A repair installation preserves user accounts, data, and programs, but
allows the system files to be rebuilt specific to the new hardware.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org