Windows Activation

[Jake]

I run Windows Xp Professional Service pack 2 , a retail copy, on my machine,
which I activated about six months ago. I was wondering what happens with
activation if I decide to buy a new hard drive. Will I still be able to
install and activate my copy of Xp?

Jake

--


It ne'er was wealth, it ne'er was wealth,
That coft contentment, peace, or pleasure;
The bands and bliss o' mutual love,
O that's the chiefest world's treasure.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I run Windows Xp Professional Service pack 2 , a retail copy, on my
machine, which I activated about six months ago. I was wondering
what happens with activation if I decide to buy a new hard drive. Will I
still be able to install and activate my copy of Xp?

Yes, no problem. You can change all the hardware you want. WIth a retail
copy, you can even change the whole computer.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I run Windows Xp Professional Service pack 2 , a retail copy, on my machine,
which I activated about six months ago. I was wondering what happens with
activation if I decide to buy a new hard drive. Will I still be able to
install and activate my copy of Xp?

Jake

Certainly, barring unforeseen circumstances.

There's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall and
activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. Nor is there ever a
charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an evaluation
license) ever expire. If it's been more than 120 days since you last
activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able to
activate via the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you
might have to make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

 

[orthocross]

I run Windows Xp Professional Service pack 2 , a retail copy, on my machine,
which I activated about six months ago. I was wondering what happens with
activation if I decide to buy a new hard drive. Will I still be able to
install and activate my copy of Xp?

Jake

Don't even concern yourself with such a small matter as this, IF your
media is actually Retail (that is, it cost around $299 or more, and
came in a large Blue box with the COA affixed to the top of the box,
rather than a shrink-wrapped little package with only the media, a COA
affixed somewhere in the shrink-wrap, and a small booklet.

Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original newsgroup and thread,
so that the conversation may continue undisturbed.
=========================================================

 

[Ghost In the Machine]

IF your
media is actually Retail (that is, it cost around $299 or more, and
came in a large Blue box with the COA affixed to the top of the box,
rather than a shrink-wrapped little package with only the media, a COA
affixed somewhere in the shrink-wrap, and a small booklet.

Even if he has an OEM version, he can still replace or upgrade his
hardware as long as it's on the original machine.

As to the price of a retail copy, if you're patient and watch the
online software retailers, you can get a pretty nice deal. I've seen
XP Pro full retail (E85-02665) sell for as little as $175, and I'm not
talking about e-Bay, either. I bought mine for $189, and yes, it's
genuine.

Enjoy the day,

GITM

 

[Steve L]

On Sun, 21 May 2006 11:56:34 -0700, (e-mail address removed) wrote:
snip

Even if he has an OEM version, he can still replace or upgrade his
hardware as long as it's on the original machine.
snip

Enjoy the day,

GITM

Sorry if this should be obvious but which bit of the machine is taken to be
the original bit? or is it a combination of bits? The software is on the
hard disk, and the key label is on the case...

 

[Steve L]

On Sun, 21 May 2006 11:56:34 -0700, (e-mail address removed) wrote:
snip

Even if he has an OEM version, he can still replace or upgrade his
hardware as long as it's on the original machine.
snip

Enjoy the day,

GITM

Sorry if this should be obvious but which bit of the machine is taken to be
the original bit? or is it a combination of bits? The software is on the
hard disk, and the key label is on the case...



--

 

[Ghost In the Machine]

Sorry if this should be obvious but which bit of the machine is taken to be
the original bit? or is it a combination of bits? The software is on the
hard disk, and the key label is on the case...

It's not obvious, and this is why the topic has been the subject of so
much heated controversy in this group.

If you're asking for my opinion, if you built the computer, you pretty
much get to make the call about when it ceases to be the original
machine. Some will say that the line is crossed when the motherboard
is replaced, but there is no such verbiage in the EULA or any other
official document that I've seen.

For more info about activation, see the FAQ:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

Take care.

GITM

 

[Ron Martell]

Sorry if this should be obvious but which bit of the machine is taken to be
the original bit? or is it a combination of bits? The software is on the
hard disk, and the key label is on the case...

With OEM versions, especially recent ones from the larger computer
companies, the defining component is the motherboard, or more
specifically the motherboard BIOS.

These OEM versions use the SLP (BIOS Locking) procedurer developed by
Microsoft and are self activating provided they are installed on a
computer that has a motherboard from that same OEM.

If these versions are installed on a computer with a different
motherboard BIOS they will not self-activate, Internet activation will
fail, and telephone activation requests will be declined.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Blue]

With OEM versions, especially recent ones from the larger computer
companies, the defining component is the motherboard, or more
specifically the motherboard BIOS.

These OEM versions use the SLP (BIOS Locking) procedurer developed by
Microsoft and are self activating provided they are installed on a
computer that has a motherboard from that same OEM.

If these versions are installed on a computer with a different
motherboard BIOS they will not self-activate, Internet activation will
fail, and telephone activation requests will be declined.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

Hi Ron/Steve:

Just as a point of clarification, I was speaking about Generic OEM
versions that one purchases with qualifying hardware, not OEM versions
that come pre-installed and BIOS locked to the machine. I should have
mentioned this in my original reply.

For more information about your ability to upgarde your hardware, see
the Product Activation Myths page:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_myths.mspx

Cheers;

GITM

Remove xxxxxx to reply via e-mail.

 

[John Chen [MSFT]]

Hello Jake,

Thank you for posting.

Definitely, you can reinstall and activate Windows XP if it is a retail
version.

If you can not activate Windows XP via internet, you can choose the other
option and try to activate Windows XP by telephone.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know.

Sincerely,
John Chen, MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA, MCSD
Microsoft Online Partner Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

=====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via
your newsreader so that others may learn and benefit
from your issue.
=====================================================

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Alias]

With OEM versions, especially recent ones from the larger computer
companies, the defining component is the motherboard, or more
specifically the motherboard BIOS.

You mean *only* with branded OEMs.

These OEM versions use the SLP (BIOS Locking) procedurer developed by
Microsoft and are self activating provided they are installed on a
computer that has a motherboard from that same OEM.

If these versions are installed on a computer with a different
motherboard BIOS they will not self-activate, Internet activation will
fail, and telephone activation requests will be declined.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

I just replaced two motherboards on two computers running generic OEM
XP. On one computer, I did not even have to reinstall Windows or was
asked to re-activate as the MB was the same make, although it was a
newer version and has a newer BIOS version. On the other computer, I did
have to reinstall XP and it activated on line no problem.

Alias

 

[Leythos]

Just as a point of clarification, I was speaking about Generic OEM
versions that one purchases with qualifying hardware, not OEM versions
that come pre-installed and BIOS locked to the machine. I should have
mentioned this in my original reply.

The OEM systems builders site "USE" to state specifically that the
motherboard was defining component.

The current OEM site now declares that you can't sell to "End Users"
without installing the OEM software on the computer, but you can xfer an
OEM copy to another OEM without installation and without the additional
paperwork.

Based on how I read it, you can't change anything unless the OEM agrees
to it - and since a end-user can't get OEM without it being installed,
it seems that the OEM makes the decision now.

 

[Alias]

The OEM systems builders site "USE" to state specifically that the
motherboard was defining component.

The current OEM site now declares that you can't sell to "End Users"
without installing the OEM software on the computer, but you can xfer an
OEM copy to another OEM without installation and without the additional
paperwork.

Based on how I read it, you can't change anything unless the OEM agrees
to it - and since a end-user can't get OEM without it being installed,
it seems that the OEM makes the decision now.

Maybe this is true in the USA but in Spain, one can buy as many generic
OEM XPs as one's little heart desires. I bought one yesterday, with no
hardware and, of course, it's a legit copy. In fact, retail isn't even
available here except for the upgrade versions.

Please remember, Leythos, that this is an international group and that
you should include something like "in the USA," when you make these
statements.

Alias

 

[Leythos]

Maybe this is true in the USA but in Spain, one can buy as many generic
OEM XPs as one's little heart desires. I bought one yesterday, with no
hardware and, of course, it's a legit copy. In fact, retail isn't even
available here except for the upgrade versions.

Please remember, Leythos, that this is an international group and that
you should include something like "in the USA," when you make these
statements.

Please remember the same - your statements only appear to apply to Spain
in many cases. Since this is an ENGLISH group, I make my statements
based on it being an English based group of people, not spanish.

So, you need to understand that according to EVERYTHING I've read on the
MS sites, anyone currently purchasing an OEM CD/Software without
hardware is considered an OEM, not an End-User. If your country is an
exception, it would be nice to see something official stated about it,
but I can't find anything that says "Spain is special and doesn't have
to abide by the Licensing rules stated on the MS site".

 

[Alias]

Please remember the same - your statements only appear to apply to Spain
in many cases. Since this is an ENGLISH group, I make my statements
based on it being an English based group of people, not spanish.

Um, my version of XP on this computer is in English yet I bought it in
Spain.

So, you need to understand that according to EVERYTHING I've read on the
MS sites, anyone currently purchasing an OEM CD/Software without
hardware is considered an OEM, not an End-User. If your country is an
exception, it would be nice to see something official stated about it,
but I can't find anything that says "Spain is special and doesn't have
to abide by the Licensing rules stated on the MS site".

The fact that I have bought three of them and I have friends who have
bought hundreds of them and every single *retail* store in Spain only
sells OEMs tells you what? MS does have offices in Spain and I am sure
they know exactly what's happening. I suspect it's the fact that the
laws in Spain favor the consumer, unlike the USA where they favor the
corporations.

Oh, and I don't do research for people unless they pay me. So, if you
want to research why Spain is "special", do it yourself.

Alias

 

[Leythos]

[snip]

The fact that I have bought three of them and I have friends who have
bought hundreds of them and every single *retail* store in Spain only
sells OEMs tells you what?

It doesn't tell me anything, except you can purchase it.

MS does have offices in Spain and I am sure
they know exactly what's happening. I suspect it's the fact that the
laws in Spain favor the consumer, unlike the USA where they favor the
corporations.

I've not see anything that indicates what you say is true.

Oh, and I don't do research for people unless they pay me. So, if you
want to research why Spain is "special", do it yourself.

I figured you would not have any means to defend your point, that's what
lets people like you keep going on, and on, and on, and on... you never
have to prove anything.

 

[Alias]

[snip]

The fact that I have bought three of them and I have friends who have
bought hundreds of them and every single *retail* store in Spain only
sells OEMs tells you what?

It doesn't tell me anything, except you can purchase it.

MS does have offices in Spain and I am sure
they know exactly what's happening. I suspect it's the fact that the
laws in Spain favor the consumer, unlike the USA where they favor the
corporations.

I've not see anything that indicates what you say is true.

Oh, and I don't do research for people unless they pay me. So, if you
want to research why Spain is "special", do it yourself.

I figured you would not have any means to defend your point, that's what
lets people like you keep going on, and on, and on, and on... you never
have to prove anything.

Exactly. I don't care if you believe me or not. I know I am right
because I have three legal generic OEMs installed on my three computers.

But, just because it's you, go here:

http://www.appinformatica.com/

and here:

http://www.pcbox.com/inicio/default.asp?lan=es&cnt=es

and here:

http://www.aplimatica.es/index.html

All are retail stores, two are very large chains and all of them will
sell you an OEM XP with no hardware and no hassle. You need one thing:
money.

Now, if you think that MS isn't aware of this, please pull the other
one, it has bells on it.

Alias

 

[Leythos]

[snip]

So, you need to understand that according to EVERYTHING I've read on the
MS sites, anyone currently purchasing an OEM CD/Software without
hardware is considered an OEM, not an End-User. If your country is an
exception, it would be nice to see something official stated about it,
but I can't find anything that says "Spain is special and doesn't have
to abide by the Licensing rules stated on the MS site".
The fact that I have bought three of them and I have friends who have
bought hundreds of them and every single *retail* store in Spain only
sells OEMs tells you what?

It doesn't tell me anything, except you can purchase it.

MS does have offices in Spain and I am sure
they know exactly what's happening. I suspect it's the fact that the
laws in Spain favor the consumer, unlike the USA where they favor the
corporations.

I've not see anything that indicates what you say is true.

Oh, and I don't do research for people unless they pay me. So, if you
want to research why Spain is "special", do it yourself.

I figured you would not have any means to defend your point, that's what
lets people like you keep going on, and on, and on, and on... you never
have to prove anything.

Exactly. I don't care if you believe me or not. I know I am right
because I have three legal generic OEMs installed on my three computers.

But, just because it's you, go here:

http://www.appinformatica.com/

and here:

http://www.pcbox.com/inicio/default.asp?lan=es&cnt=es

and here:

http://www.aplimatica.es/index.html

All are retail stores, two are very large chains and all of them will
sell you an OEM XP with no hardware and no hassle. You need one thing:
money.

Now, if you think that MS isn't aware of this, please pull the other
one, it has bells on it.

According to the MS site, where the OEM agreements are show, the only
way you can purchase OEM software is by being a Systems Builder - and
the links I've seen, not those above, indicate the same. The sites above
don't indicate anything concerning licensing, so you've not made your
point.

 

[Alias]

[snip]
So, you need to understand that according to EVERYTHING I've read on the
MS sites, anyone currently purchasing an OEM CD/Software without
hardware is considered an OEM, not an End-User. If your country is an
exception, it would be nice to see something official stated about it,
but I can't find anything that says "Spain is special and doesn't have
to abide by the Licensing rules stated on the MS site".
The fact that I have bought three of them and I have friends who have
bought hundreds of them and every single *retail* store in Spain only
sells OEMs tells you what?
It doesn't tell me anything, except you can purchase it.

MS does have offices in Spain and I am sure
they know exactly what's happening. I suspect it's the fact that the
laws in Spain favor the consumer, unlike the USA where they favor the
corporations.
I've not see anything that indicates what you say is true.

Oh, and I don't do research for people unless they pay me. So, if you
want to research why Spain is "special", do it yourself.
I figured you would not have any means to defend your point, that's what
lets people like you keep going on, and on, and on, and on... you never
have to prove anything.

Exactly. I don't care if you believe me or not. I know I am right
because I have three legal generic OEMs installed on my three computers.

But, just because it's you, go here:

http://www.appinformatica.com/

and here:

http://www.pcbox.com/inicio/default.asp?lan=es&cnt=es

and here:

http://www.aplimatica.es/index.html

All are retail stores, two are very large chains and all of them will
sell you an OEM XP with no hardware and no hassle. You need one thing:
money.

Now, if you think that MS isn't aware of this, please pull the other
one, it has bells on it.

According to the MS site, where the OEM agreements are show, the only
way you can purchase OEM software is by being a Systems Builder - and
the links I've seen, not those above, indicate the same. The sites above
don't indicate anything concerning licensing, so you've not made your
point.

I don't care if you get it or not. I don't care if you believe it or
not. I know it's true but, no I don't have time to research the MS Spain
web site for you because, frankly, it's not important enough and life is
short. You're happy with your interpretation of reality and I am with
mine. Let's agree to disagree, OK?

Alias