Date of Activation

[TK]

I have read that 120 days after Activation, MS wipes the slate clean:
therefore any changes to configuration after the 120 days are starting from
scratch.
How can I find out when I last went through the process of activation. I
have XP PRO.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

1. Open XP's "Help and Support" and click on "Use Tools to view your computer info....."
2. Click on "Get information about your computer".
3. Then click on "View the status of my system hardware and software"
and look under "System Software - Date Created".
4. This will tell you when Windows XP was installed, but not necessarily
when it was actually activated.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­----------------

:

| I have read that 120 days after Activation, MS wipes the slate clean:
| therefore any changes to configuration after the 120 days are starting from
| scratch.
| How can I find out when I last went through the process of activation. I
| have XP PRO.

 

[Alias]

1. Open XP's "Help and Support" and click on "Use Tools to view your computer info....."
2. Click on "Get information about your computer".
3. Then click on "View the status of my system hardware and software"
and look under "System Software - Date Created".
4. This will tell you when Windows XP was installed, but not necessarily
when it was actually activated.

LOL! You're as much help as a rubber crutch.

Alias

 

[Alias]

I have read that 120 days after Activation, MS wipes the slate clean:
therefore any changes to configuration after the 120 days are starting from
scratch.
How can I find out when I last went through the process of activation. I
have XP PRO.

Go to device manager and right click on whatever hardware you last
installed and look at the date.

Alias

 

[Guest]

Go to device manager and right click on whatever hardware you last

installed and look at the date.

What are you on? ...crack?

 

[Alias]

What are you on? ...crack?

Now there's a helpful statement.

Alias

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

That assumes that hardware caused activation.
Your answer is about as helpful as Carey's. There have been other things
that trigger activation so your solution assumes much.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

If the activation date is stored on the computer, I do not know where.
Carey and Alias both gave you an answer that assumes certain facts about
your computer.
Carey's assumes you activated at about the same time of installation
Alias assumes your latest activation was on or before your last hardware
change.

Since there are other things that can affect activation, only you can
determine when the computer was activated.
Perhaps their posts can help you make the determination as to exactly when
you last activated.

But since Windows XP can be reinstalled an unlimited # of times on the same
computer, activation is not normally a problem.
Also see:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

 

[Alias]

That assumes that hardware caused activation.
Your answer is about as helpful as Carey's. There have been other things
that trigger activation so your solution assumes much.

Really, I thought Activation was only triggered by hardware changes.
What else can trigger it?

Alias

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Read the link in my post to the OP.
Also read the posts in the various newsgroups about activation.
I am sure you already know at least part of the answer to your question.

 

[Fishman >]

But since Windows XP can be reinstalled an unlimited # of times on the
same computer, activation is not normally a problem.

"same computer" - What is the same computer?
If the component parts are changed continually just what is the same
computer?

Is it?.... Any collection of bits forming a computer within the same PC
case.
This perhaps might be a legal interpretation as after all, MS require that
the product key sticker is attached to the case.

MS would perhaps suggest it's the motherboard.
What if that dies and has to be replaced?
MS may say - Oh that's ok if replaced with same type.
What if it's a Skt. 370 / PIII combination and due to obsolescence can't be
replaced with same type.

Seems like a whole can of worms to me.
Does anything in licensing documentation clarify this?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Q. "Same computer" - What is the same computer?

A. The same make and model of motherboard. Microsoft defines the
motherboard as being the "heart and soul" of a computer.

Q. "MS would perhaps suggest it's the motherboard. What if that dies and has to be replaced?"

A. If you have a "Retail Version" of Windows XP - no problem.
If you have an "OEM Version" of Windows XP - the license
is no longer valid with a totally different make/model of motherboard.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­----------------

:

| <SNIP>
| > But since Windows XP can be reinstalled an unlimited # of times on the
| > same computer, activation is not normally a problem.
|
|
| "same computer" - What is the same computer?
| If the component parts are changed continually just what is the same
| computer?
|
| Is it?.... Any collection of bits forming a computer within the same PC
| case.
| This perhaps might be a legal interpretation as after all, MS require that
| the product key sticker is attached to the case.
|
| MS would perhaps suggest it's the motherboard.
| What if that dies and has to be replaced?
| MS may say - Oh that's ok if replaced with same type.
| What if it's a Skt. 370 / PIII combination and due to obsolescence can't be
| replaced with same type.
|
| Seems like a whole can of worms to me.
| Does anything in licensing documentation clarify this?

 

[nubian]

Read the link in my post to the OP.
Also read the posts in the various newsgroups about activation.
I am sure you already know at least part of the answer to your question.

WPA is a flawed technology. There is no clear answer as to what can
make it malfunction.

 

[nubian]

Q. "Same computer" - What is the same computer?

A. The same make and model of motherboard. Microsoft defines the
motherboard as being the "heart and soul" of a computer.

Q. "MS would perhaps suggest it's the motherboard. What if that dies and has to be replaced?"

A. If you have a "Retail Version" of Windows XP - no problem.
If you have an "OEM Version" of Windows XP - the license
is no longer valid with a totally different make/model of motherboard.

Carey keeps lying by ommission with these claims and always neglects to
mention that these licensing terms apply to system builders only.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Wrong. Anyone who recently purchased or purchases a new
generic OEM version of Windows XP are now considered
"System Builders" and must abide by the System
Builder's licensing agreement.

Example:

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102059

"Purchasers of this software are required to comply with the terms of
the System Builder License...."

System Builder Web Site
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/default.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­----------------

:

| Carey keeps lying by ommission with these claims and always neglects to
| mention that these licensing terms apply to system builders only.
|
| --
| nubian

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

OEM or retail?
My answer applies to both.
Your answer applies to OEM since retail can be moved to another computer any
number of times as long as it is installed on only one computer at a time.

For OEM, then there are different types.
If OEM such as HP, Compaq, Gateway etc, you may have problems if you replace
with a motherboard from a different manufacturer.
The decision of the OEM (not Microsoft) to lock Windows XP to the BIOS may
prevent installation.
At that point it does not really matter if it is legal, but no one including
Microsoft or the OEM has an obligation to assist with the installation on
the changed computer.

Read the specific EULA for details since there are different EULAs for the
different versions of Windows.
Also consult a lawyer specializing in software licensing for more
information.

 

[kurttrail]

WPA is a flawed technology. There is no clear answer as to what can
make it malfunction.

I agree with this poast!

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity/index.php?showtopic=3
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[kurttrail]

If the activation date is stored on the computer, I do not know where.
Carey and Alias both gave you an answer that assumes certain facts
about your computer.
Carey's assumes you activated at about the same time of installation
Alias assumes your latest activation was on or before your last
hardware change.

Since there are other things that can affect activation, only you can
determine when the computer was activated.

Of course nothing but hardware changes is supposed to trigger
activation, but because it is so flawed other things like BIOS changes
and drivers trigger activation too!

Perhaps their posts can help you make the determination as to exactly
when you last activated.

But since Windows XP can be reinstalled an unlimited # of times on
the same computer, activation is not normally a problem.
Also see:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

Especially since MS outsourced the PA phone reps to Pakistan or India or
similar South Asian nation.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity/index.php?showtopic=3
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[kurttrail]

Q. "Same computer" - What is the same computer?

A. The same make and model of motherboard. Microsoft defines the
motherboard as being the "heart and soul" of a computer.

Bullsh*t. Nowhere in the EULA is the "same computer" defined.

Q. "MS would perhaps suggest it's the motherboard. What if that dies
and has to be replaced?"

A. If you have a "Retail Version" of Windows XP - no problem.
If you have an "OEM Version" of Windows XP - the license
is no longer valid with a totally different make/model of
motherboard.

Those are MS-certified System Builder's rules hidden behind a
password-protected website. Not applicable to an End User that NEVER
EVER had the chance to see those BS System Builder's rules, let alone
ever had a chance to agree or disagree with them.



--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity/index.php?showtopic=3
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[kurttrail]

Wrong. Anyone who recently purchased or purchases a new
generic OEM version of Windows XP are now considered
"System Builders" and must abide by the System
Builder's licensing agreement.

I never agreed to be a System Builder when I've purchase MS OEM
software.

I bet neither has any End User.

Example:

Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102059

"Purchasers of this software are required to comply with the terms of
the System Builder License...."

And the System Builders License that comes with XP mentions the
motherboard ONLY once!

4. SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION.
4.1 We grant you a nonexclusive right to distribute an individual
software license only with a fully assembled
computer system. A "fully assembled computer system" means a computer
system consisting of at least a central
processing unit, a motherboard, a hard drive, a power supply, and a
case.

BUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT CHANGING THE MOTHERBOARD BEING CONSIDER AS
A DIFFERENT COMPUTER!

http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/public/sblicense/English_SB_License.pdf

Do the search for yourself Cary! The SYSTEM BUILDER NEVERS AGREES TO
YOUR BULLSH*T ABOUT THE MOTHERBOARD!

System Builder Web Site
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/sblicense/default.mspx

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity/index.php?showtopic=3
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"