Windows Product Activation, Windows Activation Technologies, and so on

[John Doe]

I just upgraded motherboard and memory. Microsoft wants me to
reactivate windows 8. Should I do a clean install first? Otherwise,
what I do my next install that is inevitable, I'm going to be stuck?
Or will the activation server recognize that I'm using the same
hardware after windows asks me to activate in the new installation?
If I just thought of that possibility, I guess it might do that.

Thanks.

 

[DevilsPGD]

I just upgraded motherboard and memory. Microsoft wants me to
reactivate windows 8. Should I do a clean install first? Otherwise,
what I do my next install that is inevitable, I'm going to be stuck?
Or will the activation server recognize that I'm using the same
hardware after windows asks me to activate in the new installation?
If I just thought of that possibility, I guess it might do that.

Even if you run into difficulties, it's usually as simple as phoning the
number provided, answering the automated system's questions correctly
(hint: Number of systems that this license is installed on? 1. Even if
your license allows more than one, say one), then if you talk to a rep,
explain you replaced your motherboard or hard drive and needed to
reinstall Windows.

 

[dweebken]

Even if you run into difficulties, it's usually as simple as phoning the
number provided, answering the automated system's questions correctly
(hint: Number of systems that this license is installed on? 1. Even if
your license allows more than one, say one), then if you talk to a rep,
explain you replaced your motherboard or hard drive and needed to
reinstall Windows.

I've been through that process a few times with Win 7 on a number of
system rebuilds and never had a problem other than having to write
down/enter a long long bunch of numbers accurately. Never had to talk to
a human at MS.

 

[John Doe]

I've been through that process a few times with Win 7 on a
number of system rebuilds and never had a problem other than
having to write down/enter a long long bunch of numbers
accurately. Never had to talk to a human at MS.

Shouldn't the web activation work, then?

 

[John Doe]

Shouldn't the web activation work, then?

Maybe better would be...

Wouldn't the web activation work, then?

In other words... Did the web activation not work?

 

[DevilsPGD]

Maybe better would be...

Wouldn't the web activation work, then?

In other words... Did the web activation not work?

The short answer is no. The web activation will fail first, but the
phone system will let you through. If it happens again a few more times,
you'll be referred to a rep.

I suspect it's due to the fact that the phone system can track phone
numbers as a way of rate-limiting abuse.

As an aside, you actually don't have to enter the numbers the phone
system provides either, once the phone system approves you, you can
close the dialog and start the activation system over the web and it
will go through.

Or at least, it does for me (but I'm on an Action Pack, which might work
differently than a standard OEM or retail key)

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Shouldn't the web activation work, then?

As implied by the other responses, it just isn't all that hard. Do it
and if necessary make the phone call.

Don't panic, though. If the robot detects fear in your voice, it will
attack!

(That *is* a joke, even if it's not funny.)

 

[Loren Pechtel]

Even if you run into difficulties, it's usually as simple as phoning the
number provided, answering the automated system's questions correctly
(hint: Number of systems that this license is installed on? 1. Even if
your license allows more than one, say one), then if you talk to a rep,
explain you replaced your motherboard or hard drive and needed to
reinstall Windows.

Yeah, my experience with Microsoft is they are pretty reasonable about
those of us who like to mess with our hardware. I've never been
turned down and most of the time I've been able to deal with a phone
robot, it hasn't even needed a human.