Activation issues with removable hard drives redeaux

[sfriedman]

I currently use 3 removable drives on my system for specific
applications. One is for primary use, another for software development
purposes and a third for games. Each one only runs on one machine.
Recently though I've had instances where I've needed to re-activate my
copy of Windows and have been directed to call Miscrosft since it told
me I could not do it over the internet. Each time I responded that it
is used on only one machine and have been given a new code. I am
concerned that one time they will NOT give me a new activiation code.
I want to be very clear on the policy especially since I now have two
drives that have different activation codes on them than the one from
the original disk since the calls to re-activate these drives resulted
in this. I am also concernd if I have to do a reinstall or substantial
repair of my OS whether this will trigger another re-activation
message. Could you let me know where Microsoft stands on this and
whether I am at risk for one day finding I cannot activate one of my
removable disks on my system?

 

[DL]

Do these removable drives contain the o/s?

 

[Lil' Dave]

I currently use 3 removable drives on my system for specific
applications. One is for primary use, another for software development
purposes and a third for games. Each one only runs on one machine.
Recently though I've had instances where I've needed to re-activate my
copy of Windows and have been directed to call Miscrosft since it told
me I could not do it over the internet. Each time I responded that it
is used on only one machine and have been given a new code. I am
concerned that one time they will NOT give me a new activiation code.
I want to be very clear on the policy especially since I now have two
drives that have different activation codes on them than the one from
the original disk since the calls to re-activate these drives resulted
in this. I am also concernd if I have to do a reinstall or substantial
repair of my OS whether this will trigger another re-activation
message. Could you let me know where Microsoft stands on this and
whether I am at risk for one day finding I cannot activate one of my
removable disks on my system?

Assuming all 3 removable hard drives are using the same bus system for
connection on the same PC. Only one is ever connected at any given time.
All are jumpered identically. And, you restored an image of one for the
remaining 2 hard drives after XP install and activation. And, none of the
removable hard drives are used to boot XP on another PC. Don't see why
there would be a problem at all. Any digression could have ramifications.
Dave

 

[sfriedman]

Assuming all 3 removable hard drives are using the same bus system for
connection on the same PC. Only one is ever connected at any given time.
All are jumpered identically. And, you restored an image of one for the
remaining 2 hard drives after XP install and activation. And, none of the
removable hard drives are used to boot XP on another PC. Don't see why
there would be a problem at all. Any digression could have ramifications.
Dave- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Each Hard Drive contain the Windows XP Pro Operating system. It is not
an auxillary drive. This is done so that I can weed out potential
hardware problems, and prevent cross contamination on applications.

 

[smlunatick]

Each Hard Drive contain the Windows XP Pro Operating system. It is not
an auxillary drive. This is done so that I can weed out potential
hardware problems, and prevent cross contamination on applications.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

The "three" hard drive OS versions are always re-checking the
actiation status when the drives are change. Changing the hard drives,
the activation will be checked each time and depending on the version
(Retail or OEM) you will have a problem with the activation system.
OEM versions can only be activated 'once' successfully for the
Internet and any activations after this must be done by phone. Retail
activations can successfully be done every 120 day (???) over the
Internet. Any activation between the 120 days must be done by the
phone. Microsoft had never considered the fact that people may want
to "juggle" hard drives when the Product Activation was "developed."

 

[Alias]

The "three" hard drive OS versions are always re-checking the
actiation status when the drives are change. Changing the hard drives,
the activation will be checked each time and depending on the version
(Retail or OEM) you will have a problem with the activation system.
OEM versions can only be activated 'once' successfully for the
Internet and any activations after this must be done by phone.

False, false, false! If you reinstall on the same computer with no
hardware changes, you can activate on line as many times as your little
heart desires. I know because I've done it many times and recently.

Retail
activations can successfully be done every 120 day (???) over the
Internet. Any activation between the 120 days must be done by the
phone.

FALSE! See above! If 120 days have passed since the last activation, it
starts over hardware-wise for BOTH retail and OEM. In fact, if it's been
over 120 days, you can move an OEM version to another computer and still
activate on line.

Microsoft had never considered the fact that people may want

to "juggle" hard drives when the Product Activation was "developed."

Where do you get this false information?

As for the OP's question -- which you didn't address -- I would think
that once he or she will eventually be asked to reactivate when changing
the drives reaches 10 points, one point per hard drive per change.

 

[Lil' Dave]

Each Hard Drive contain the Windows XP Pro Operating system. It is not

Well, I at least expected all to have the same version of XP... You never
indicate whether any of the info I provided corroborates with your stuff.

an auxillary drive. This is done so that I can weed out potential
hardware problems, and prevent cross contamination on applications.

Though not technically MS legal, you can do similar with a 3rd party boot
manager and 3 XPs on same hard drive. 2 always hidden from one. Amounts to
the same thing...
Dave

 

[Lil' Dave]

The "three" hard drive OS versions are always re-checking the
actiation status when the drives are change. Changing the hard drives,
the activation will be checked each time and depending on the version
(Retail or OEM) you will have a problem with the activation system.
OEM versions can only be activated 'once' successfully for the
Internet and any activations after this must be done by phone. Retail
activations can successfully be done every 120 day (???) over the
Internet. Any activation between the 120 days must be done by the
phone. Microsoft had never considered the fact that people may want
to "juggle" hard drives when the Product Activation was "developed."

As Alias indicated...

OEM generic can be activated numerous times over the internet. Not locked
to one activation this method. There is the 120 day thing as well. Found
no difference regarding OEM generic and retail as far as this goes.

Dave

 

[smlunatick]

As Alias indicated...

OEM generic can be activated numerous times over the internet. Not locked
to one activation this method. There is the 120 day thing as well. Found
no difference regarding OEM generic and retail as far as this goes.

Dave- Hide quoted text -

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My experience with OEM versions is that after the first activations,
any additional activations, even without hardware changes, are refused
by the Internet. Microsoft has previously stated before that OEM
activations are being "forced" to be done over the telephone because
of the "eBay" sales of "branded" OEM versions that were sold without
the "corresponding" hardware.

 

[sfriedman]

The Windows XP Pro version I have is not an OEM but a bonded retail
upgrade version of the OS. From what I gather from this thread I can
re-validate over the Internet only once every 120 days. That's
probably OK since I don't use the other's that often, but when I do, I
really hate to have to go through the hassle of phoning Microsoft to
re-activate. The removable drive system has saved my bacon numerous
times - especially when trying to diagnose hardware vs. software
problems, and driver problems. I'd be loathe to go back to one drive
no matter home many bootable partitions.