when will I need to reactivate?

[Guest]

I am trying to decide whether I should buy Vista or not. Among other places I
went to
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/activationfaq.mspx
to get some info about the reactivation requirements, and I am quite confused:
-under "will I ever need to activate again", among other things one can read
that one circumstance might be "You make a significant hardware change to
your computer, such as upgrading the hard disk drive and memory at the same
time"......"If a major hardware change requires activating Windows again, you
will be notified and will have three days to activate your copy of Windows."
And right under that "You reformat your hard disk drive. Reformatting erases
your activation status. In this case, you'll have 30 days to activate Windows
again." QUESTIONS: what hardware changes can I make without triggering the
re-activation needs and how can Vista tell if it's installed on a new HDD (or
is there another way to "upgrade a driver other than replacing it with a new
one ????) or on a reformatted drive (why the first should not need any
reactivation if no other change is made and the latter needs reactivating
it's surprising but....I guess it's MS's product to do with as they
please....)
-under "How many times can I install Windows on my computer before I have to
activate Windows again?" it is stated that "You can reinstall Windows on the
same computer as many times as you want because activation pairs the Windows
product key with information about your computer's hardware. If you make a
significant hardware change, you might have to activate Windows again." Uh,
come again? I thought that the only options in Vista were to upgrade from
within the system or to do a clean install from the DVD. How does a clean
install know about previous installs?
-finally a light at the end of my tunnel "How do I know if changing hardware
will make me re-activate; what hardware causes it to change?"...or not
"Windows Vista uses an algorithm to determine when changes to hardware are
significant enough in nature to require re-activation. The algorithm used by
Windows Vista is more flexible than that used by Windows XP, but each
component change has an impact and adds up until you reach a predetermined
limit." That limit seems to be better kept than state secrets: Mz Yemen Zehid
from the Activation team informed me that I will need to reactivate each time
I download a game or a song from the internet???? Mz Moushumi from General
Inquiries denied that but could not provide any other information regarding
criteria for reactivation. Mr Syeed Mohseen, supervisor on the Inquiries
team, needed to call me back tomorrow.....

Without wanting to open a cane of worm, in the past three days while
searching for information on which actions will lead to a need for
reactivation, I have found information on 7 different ways to bypass Vista
activation, 3 of which will even pass a genuine check, but I am no wiser
concerning my initial question.

Anybody has any information on any kind of Microsoft documentation that
explains the reactivation needs, please let me know before I get a penguin to
greet me every morning.....

 

[Frank]

I am trying to decide whether I should buy Vista or not. Among other places I
went to
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/activationfaq.mspx
to get some info about the reactivation requirements, and I am quite confused:
-under "will I ever need to activate again", among other things one can read
that one circumstance might be "You make a significant hardware change to
your computer, such as upgrading the hard disk drive and memory at the same
time"......"If a major hardware change requires activating Windows again, you
will be notified and will have three days to activate your copy of Windows."
And right under that "You reformat your hard disk drive. Reformatting erases
your activation status. In this case, you'll have 30 days to activate Windows
again." QUESTIONS: what hardware changes can I make without triggering the
re-activation needs and how can Vista tell if it's installed on a new HDD (or
is there another way to "upgrade a driver other than replacing it with a new
one ????) or on a reformatted drive (why the first should not need any
reactivation if no other change is made and the latter needs reactivating
it's surprising but....I guess it's MS's product to do with as they
please....)
-under "How many times can I install Windows on my computer before I have to
activate Windows again?" it is stated that "You can reinstall Windows on the
same computer as many times as you want because activation pairs the Windows
product key with information about your computer's hardware. If you make a
significant hardware change, you might have to activate Windows again." Uh,
come again? I thought that the only options in Vista were to upgrade from
within the system or to do a clean install from the DVD. How does a clean
install know about previous installs?
-finally a light at the end of my tunnel "How do I know if changing hardware
will make me re-activate; what hardware causes it to change?"...or not
"Windows Vista uses an algorithm to determine when changes to hardware are
significant enough in nature to require re-activation. The algorithm used by
Windows Vista is more flexible than that used by Windows XP, but each
component change has an impact and adds up until you reach a predetermined
limit." That limit seems to be better kept than state secrets: Mz Yemen Zehid
from the Activation team informed me that I will need to reactivate each time
I download a game or a song from the internet???? Mz Moushumi from General
Inquiries denied that but could not provide any other information regarding
criteria for reactivation. Mr Syeed Mohseen, supervisor on the Inquiries
team, needed to call me back tomorrow.....

Without wanting to open a cane of worm, in the past three days while
searching for information on which actions will lead to a need for
reactivation, I have found information on 7 different ways to bypass Vista
activation, 3 of which will even pass a genuine check, but I am no wiser
concerning my initial question.

Anybody has any information on any kind of Microsoft documentation that
explains the reactivation needs, please let me know before I get a penguin to
greet me every morning.....

Activation is not a problem unless it becomes one in your mind.
But you do sound like a penguin type of guy by your posting.
Frank

 

[Guest]

Thank you Frank for taking the time to read my post. I have never said that
activation is a problem, and my experience with XP has taught me that he
telephone people would activate a toaster if you talked nicely enough to
them. It has also taught me that I'd much rather know which of my actions
will trigger the need to reactivate, so I can at least choose when to perform
them and submit to the 6 minutes ritual.
I am still puzzled that no one seems to know the answer to this question.
And still hopefull I will eventually find at least an explanation to why it
is such a big secret.

Regards,

Cyanna

 

[Iuvenalis]

Thank you Frank for taking the time to read my post. I have never said
that
activation is a problem, and my experience with XP has taught me that he
telephone people would activate a toaster if you talked nicely enough to
them. It has also taught me that I'd much rather know which of my actions
will trigger the need to reactivate, so I can at least choose when to
perform
them and submit to the 6 minutes ritual.
I am still puzzled that no one seems to know the answer to this question.
And still hopefull I will eventually find at least an explanation to why
it
is such a big secret.

Regards,

Cyanna

I don't think it's a big secret, maybe people just don't care?
Remember, a lot of people never upgrade their computers & if they do, it is
in a very minor way.
I never upgrade computers because I only ever buy laptops....I stopped using
desktops 10 years ago.
I just buy a new laptop every 12 - 18 months or so.

I have infact upgraded the RAM on a Vista laptop & that didn't trigger a
re-activation, but like you, I have never once had a problem in
re-activating MS software.

Would you really move OS's because of the chance of having to make a 6 min
call sometime in the future?

 

[Frank]

Thank you Frank for taking the time to read my post. I have never said that
activation is a problem, and my experience with XP has taught me that he
telephone people would activate a toaster if you talked nicely enough to
them. It has also taught me that I'd much rather know which of my actions
will trigger the need to reactivate, so I can at least choose when to perform
them and submit to the 6 minutes ritual.
I am still puzzled that no one seems to know the answer to this question.
And still hopefull I will eventually find at least an explanation to why it
is such a big secret.

Regards,

Cyanna

It is not a secret.
Re-activation is triggered by multiple events and/or by a combination of
events.
If you plan on doing a lot of modding to your computer and want to run
Vista suggest you consider something like a volume license. Maybe talk
to MS and tell them your intentions and ask for suggestions.
After all, it's only a phone call.
Frank

 

[NotMe]

I have changed my Video card three times, added RAM, changed sound cards,
add a USB NIC (in addition to my internal NIC) for direct file transfers and
swap in secondary hard drives on a regular basis (usually from other peoples
computers to recover/transfer data).
Having to reactivate on a regular basis is a major pain in my azz.
If you never do anything with your computer, you haven't had the 'pleasure'
of making those '6 minute' phone calls 2-3 times a month.
The people on the activation line didn't used to ask questions, lately they
have been giving me the third degree every time.
And MS wonders why people are getting aggravated & migrating to other
systems.

 

[Guest]

Hi cyanna,
If I read your post right ( and it is early and I don't have my glasses on
lolol ) You can change anything hardware wise on your computer EXCEPT the
motherboard.
When Windows installs it takes a snapshot of the motherboard and uses that
with the installation of Windows. Hard Drives, Graphics Cards, Memeory etc
are all okay to change without having to do a new install.

 

[Guest]

:

I just buy a new laptop every 12 - 18 months or so.

I envy you, if only I had the cash......

I have infact upgraded the RAM on a Vista laptop & that didn't trigger a
re-activation, but like you, I have never once had a problem in
re-activating MS software.

Would you really move OS's because of the chance of having to make a 6 min
call sometime in the future?

No, but I'd rather not spend several hundred dollars and then get to make
the call every other Tuesday just because nvidia released yet another atempt
at a fully compatible Vista driver.
Besides it is not the activation thing itself that has ticked me off. It's
the total lack of information from MS on when I would need to redo it. The
secrecy and evasive answers have made me suspicious.

 

[Guest]

It is not a secret.
Re-activation is triggered by multiple events and/or by a combination of
events.

Which are?

If you plan on doing a lot of modding to your computer and want to run
Vista suggest you consider something like a volume license.

If I could get one for the same price as a regular one I would. It just
doesn't seem right that I should pay more just because I reinstall instead of
debugging, or upgrade hardware regularly.

Maybe talk

to MS and tell them your intentions and ask for suggestions.

I would truly welcome a phone number or email address to accomplish that.
Not one where I have to pay for the info though, this should be readily
available info.

After all, it's only a phone call.

Well, I made one to the activation team and they told me I am going to need
to reactivate each time I download a song or a game from the Internet. That's
when I started to think penguins are cute.......

 

[Guest]

Hi cyanna,
If I read your post right ( and it is early and I don't have my glasses on
lolol ) You can change anything hardware wise on your computer EXCEPT the
motherboard.

When Windows installs it takes a snapshot of the motherboard and uses that
with the installation of Windows. Hard Drives, Graphics Cards, Memeory etc
are all okay to change without having to do a new install.

Uh.....no. Hard drive + RAM and it's a phone call was the example on the MS
website. But it would be nice. When it's time to change the mobo it really is
time for a new PC. I even try to avoid BIOS updates on the same mobo, so
yeah, I'd really like that.
I could have it, mind you, with an OEM license. With the current confusion +
the prices for an OEM version on newegg.....maybe.

And sorry for the multiple posts, in Firefox I don't seem to have the option
to reply to all previous answers in one go.

 

[Doris Day - MFB]

It is not a secret.
Re-activation is triggered by multiple events and/or by a combination of
events.

Such as when my dog lifts his leg and pisses on a tree while the moon is
waning? Or can it be when a rat crawls out of my compost pile just as the
sun hits high noon? Hmmm, what are these "multiple events" that even
Frankie the Wintard isn't quite sure of? Could it be when a chicken lays an
egg with two yolks? Oh I know! It's when Frankie Boy tries to graduate from

If you plan on doing a lot of modding to your computer and want to run
Vista suggest you consider something like a volume license. Maybe talk
to MS and tell them your intentions and ask for suggestions.

I'll save him the time. Install Ubuntu and don't let some multinational
corporate thug control your computing experience. Then the next time
Frankie Boy lifts his leg and pisses on a tree, you won't have to worry

After all, it's only a phone call.

Yep, only a phone call. Just have to call Big Brother whenever you "mod"
your 'puter just to make sure all is alright and allowable with the boss
man. Makes one wonder if you're a computer user or a slave? Probably the
latter and you obviously enjoy it. Nothing like sucking off the Big Fella,
hey Frankie?

Frank

Love and Kisses,
Doris

 

[Frank]

Doris Day - MFB wrote:
Nothing like sucking off the Big Fella,

hey Frankie?

Love and Kisses,
Doris

You tell me big boy as it seems to be something you thought you were
very good at or forgot to do.
Is the unemployment line that long...?
Frank

 

[Kris]

I've changed my video card a total of 5 times so far (3 different models of
ATI cards, 2 models of Nvidia, and back and forth between two of them many
times, uninstalling drivers repeatedly, trying to solve a problem) and
updated the bios on my mb, and have never had to reactivate yet... What do
they consider a major enough change to force reactivation?

 

[Alias]

I've changed my video card a total of 5 times so far (3 different models
of ATI cards, 2 models of Nvidia, and back and forth between two of them
many times, uninstalling drivers repeatedly, trying to solve a problem)
and updated the bios on my mb, and have never had to reactivate yet...
What do they consider a major enough change to force reactivation?

Try changing your NIC a few times

Alias

 

[Iuvenalis]

I have changed my Video card three times, added RAM, changed sound cards,
add a USB NIC (in addition to my internal NIC) for direct file transfers
and swap in secondary hard drives on a regular basis (usually from other
peoples computers to recover/transfer data).
Having to reactivate on a regular basis is a major pain in my azz.
If you never do anything with your computer, you haven't had the
'pleasure' of making those '6 minute' phone calls 2-3 times a month.
The people on the activation line didn't used to ask questions, lately
they have been giving me the third degree every time.
And MS wonders why people are getting aggravated & migrating to other
systems.

I didn't say that no-one regularly changes their hardware, just that *most*
people don't.
We have hundreds of workstations at work that have not had a hardware change
since the day they were delivered.
I still don't see what you're doing to get 2 - 3 activations per month?
Surely you're not adding ram, upgrading video cards & sound cards on a
monthly basis?
Or is this some sort of test machine or machine you use to recover data from
problematic disks?
If it is I wouldn't do that in Vista or XP i'd use another OS.

 

[Iuvenalis]

:




I envy you, if only I had the cash......

No, but I'd rather not spend several hundred dollars and then get to make
the call every other Tuesday just because nvidia released yet another
atempt
at a fully compatible Vista driver.
Besides it is not the activation thing itself that has ticked me off. It's
the total lack of information from MS on when I would need to redo it. The
secrecy and evasive answers have made me suspicious.

MS probably will never say exactly what triggers a reactivation, & if they
are serious about software activation I can't say I blame them.
That doesn't mean to say I like it anymore than anyone else.

Wanting the latest & greatest video driver is something else I have never
understood.
I use the MS provided driver for my Nvidia card in this notebook & it runs
flight sim x very well...better than a relatives higher spec card with
Nvidia drivers.

 

[Iuvenalis]

I've changed my video card a total of 5 times so far (3 different models
of ATI cards, 2 models of Nvidia, and back and forth between two of them
many times, uninstalling drivers repeatedly, trying to solve a problem)
and updated the bios on my mb, and have never had to reactivate yet...
What do they consider a major enough change to force reactivation?

That's a point, I flashed a BIOS on a Vista machine not so long ago & that
didn't trigger a reactivation.

 

[Frank]

Try changing your NIC a few times

Alias

We had to replace on nic a few weeks ago and nothing happened.
Frank

 

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

Cyanna

We haven't gotten a lot of information about whether or not Windows Procuct
Activation has been substantially changed in Vista, compared to what was
present in XP.

Windows Product Activation (WPA) on Windows XP:
http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php


But WPA has become a real no-brainer that you don't really even need to be
concerned about.

The only concern that you want to be aware of is when you make the decision
to buy Vista. If you buy a retail version, you can 'move' the OS to as many
different computers as you like. If you buy an OEM version, it is tied to
the first system it is installed on and cannot be moved. Both versions can
be activated in infinite number of times.

I have personally activated an OEM version 3 times within the span of 30
days, due to hardware changes, and had no problems. The first time was
automatic and the other 2 times were by telephone which took less than 3
minutes each.

If you really want to have some fun, try activating Adobe Photoshop CS2 on a
new system after uninstalling it on a different system. This took me a total
of 3 days and seven telephone calls.

 

[Alias]

We had to replace on nic a few weeks ago and nothing happened.
Frank

Change it two more times.

Alias