Windows XP Activation site down???

[Greg Burns]

We have been trying to activate a few machines that have been syspreped and
as yesterday have been getting an that the MS Activation Center could not be
reached. If we bypass activation they see the internet just fine. We have
about fifty of these machines and we have been not problems for the last
couple months until yesterday...

(I could probably pick up the phone and activate, but I would rather avoid
the hassel).

Greg

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you are using an OEM version of Windows XP that came
with a new computer, you'll have to "activate by phone".

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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

:

| We have been trying to activate a few machines that have been syspreped and
| as yesterday have been getting an that the MS Activation Center could not be
| reached. If we bypass activation they see the internet just fine. We have
| about fifty of these machines and we have been not problems for the last
| couple months until yesterday...
|
| (I could probably pick up the phone and activate, but I would rather avoid
| the hassel).
|
| Greg

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

On February 28, 2005, Microsoft disabled Internet activation for all Microsoft Windows XP
product keys located on the Certificates of Authenticity (COA) labels distributed by large,
multinational OEMs. Direct OEMs of Microsoft (large multinational OEMs that that have
a direct signed license agreement with Microsoft) usually preinstall Windows software using
System Lock Preinstall (SLP), which is a direct OEM's method of legitimately bypassing
Product Activation on behalf of their customers.

To reduce the illegal trafficking of these OEM product keys Microsoft "disabled" the
ability to activate these direct OEM Product Keys over the Internet. When a customer or
reseller tries to activate using a Product Key found on the list of "disabled" Keys, the online
product activation wizard will instruct them to call Microsoft where a customer service
representative can assist them further.

Microsoft to nix some Net product activation
http://news.com.com/Microsoft+to+ni...3-5589504.html?part=rss&tag=5587315&subj=news

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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

:

| We have been trying to activate a few machines that have been syspreped and
| as yesterday have been getting an that the MS Activation Center could not be
| reached. If we bypass activation they see the internet just fine. We have
| about fifty of these machines and we have been not problems for the last
| couple months until yesterday...
|
| (I could probably pick up the phone and activate, but I would rather avoid
| the hassel).
|
| Greg

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

We have been trying to activate a few machines that have been syspreped and
as yesterday have been getting an that the MS Activation Center could not be
reached. If we bypass activation they see the internet just fine. We have
about fifty of these machines and we have been not problems for the last
couple months until yesterday...

(I could probably pick up the phone and activate, but I would rather avoid
the hassel).

Hi

You might have been effected by a recent modification of
Windows XP Product-Activation Policy.

More here:
http://www.aviransplace.com/index.php/archives/2005/02/22/changes-in-windows-xp-product-activation/

and
http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1769339,00.asp?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535

 

[Greg Burns]

Holy sh*t!

That means the thirty+ different OEM sysprep images we have for all of our
Dell machines will require a phone call everytime we want to place one now?
("Ok now lets enter the next 4 digits..." <gag>)

Activation just went from being a PITA to a major PITA!

I don't suppose it is legal, to rebuild the images using our one MOLP disc
instead of Dell's OEM ones. (I mean we own a XP license for the machines
after all...)

Greg

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Contact Dell and ask them to exchange your OEM licenses
for Volume Licenses which do not require Product Activation.

"Microsoft does not recommend that you use an Original Equipment Manufacturer
(OEM) installation to install a corporate Sysprep image on different hardware.
Typically, OEM installations are designed specifically for that hardware. You
may experience issues with activation or with licensing when you deploy the image.
When you create a corporate image, it is good practice to use volume-licensed media."

Summary of the limitations of the System Preparation tool
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;830958

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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

:

| Holy sh*t!
|
| That means the thirty+ different OEM sysprep images we have for all of our
| Dell machines will require a phone call everytime we want to place one now?
| ("Ok now lets enter the next 4 digits..." <gag>)
|
| Activation just went from being a PITA to a major PITA!
|
| I don't suppose it is legal, to rebuild the images using our one MOLP disc
| instead of Dell's OEM ones. (I mean we own a XP license for the machines
| after all...)

 

[Alias]

When and why did this happen?

Alias

Holy sh*t!

That means the thirty+ different OEM sysprep images we have for all of our
Dell machines will require a phone call everytime we want to place one
now? ("Ok now lets enter the next 4 digits..." <gag>)

Activation just went from being a PITA to a major PITA!

I don't suppose it is legal, to rebuild the images using our one MOLP disc
instead of Dell's OEM ones. (I mean we own a XP license for the machines
after all...)

Greg

 

[Greg Burns]

We don't install our images on different hardware types. We usually buy
batches of computers from Dell. 50 or so Dell Dimension 2400s. Another 50
of a Dell 4700s, etc. We have a specific sysprep image for each "model". I
don't think the KB is recommended against doing that.

I doubt Dell is going to be very helpful about exchanging all of our OEM
licenses for Volume licenses for each Dell "model" we have acquired over
that last few years.

I think this is going to get ugly real fast.

Greg

 

[Alias]

"Greg Burns" wrote

I think this is going to get ugly real fast.

Greg

Another of the many PR bloopers of activation. Wait til Validation is
mandatory if you want to really get angry.

Some people would like to *use* their computer, not spend time and money
proving one isn't a pirate or a thief to Microsoft.

Alias

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Holy sh*t!

That means the thirty+ different OEM sysprep images we have for all of our
Dell machines will require a phone call everytime we want to place one now?
("Ok now lets enter the next 4 digits..." <gag>)

Activation just went from being a PITA to a major PITA!

I don't suppose it is legal, to rebuild the images using our one MOLP disc
instead of Dell's OEM ones. (I mean we own a XP license for the machines
after all...)

Hi

As long as your Dell OEM OS installation (using a Dell OEM CD key)
finds a Dell BIOS, it will auto-activate, and no internet or phone
call activation is necessary.

 

[Greg Burns]

As long as your Dell OEM OS installation (using a Dell OEM CD key)

finds a Dell BIOS, it will auto-activate, and no internet or phone
call activation is necessary.

But that is not happening.

It is my understanding if you install a fresh copy of Windows XP using the
Dell OEM CD, activation is not required. True. But we are doing that, then
syspreping the machine. That forces a re-activation. ;(

Greg

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

But that is not happening.

It is my understanding if you install a fresh copy of Windows XP using the
Dell OEM CD, activation is not required. True. But we are doing that, then
syspreping the machine. That forces a re-activation. ;(

Hi,

I see, that's to bad. Then I'm afraid you need to live with the phone
activation, or switch to using a VLK based OS installation.

This Product-Activation Policy change is not going to help Microsoft win
a popularity contest, that is for sure ;-)

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

As of March 1. It was previously announced.

 

[Greg Burns]

Was wondering what others do in this situation. Can you buy a computer from
Dell w/o the OS? I am not aware that you can. If not, do corporations just
suck up the cost of the OEM license (I understand these are deeply
discounted) and go ahead and purchase an addtional MOLP license for each
machine? Or if you buy 5+ or more computers at a time from Dell can you get
a MOLP license instead of OEM one? Anybody been down this road?

Greg

 

[R. McCarty]

An OEM Factory state PC doesn't require activation. It's bypassed
by the preparation process. It's when a OEM Key is used on a non
OEM based install that the Activation by phone is required.

As of March 1. It was previously announced.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

When and why did this happen?

Alias

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Greg;
You would be better off asking Dell directly.
Any information you get here may be outdated.

Make sure you contact the appropriate business department at Dell,the wrong
one may not even be aware of your options.

 

[Greg Burns]

It does if you sysprep an OEM installation. The OEM key will not get you
around having to activate it. Now you must pick up the phone. Trust me.

Greg

An OEM Factory state PC doesn't require activation. It's bypassed
by the preparation process. It's when a OEM Key is used on a non
OEM based install that the Activation by phone is required.

As of March 1. It was previously announced.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

When and why did this happen?

Alias

Holy sh*t!

That means the thirty+ different OEM sysprep images we have for all of
our Dell machines will require a phone call everytime we want to place
one now? ("Ok now lets enter the next 4 digits..." <gag>)

Activation just went from being a PITA to a major PITA!

I don't suppose it is legal, to rebuild the images using our one MOLP
disc instead of Dell's OEM ones. (I mean we own a XP license for the
machines after all...)

Greg

If you are using an OEM version of Windows XP that came
with a new computer, you'll have to "activate by phone".

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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

:

| We have been trying to activate a few machines that have been
syspreped and
| as yesterday have been getting an that the MS Activation Center
could not be
| reached. If we bypass activation they see the internet just fine.
We have
| about fifty of these machines and we have been not problems for the
last
| couple months until yesterday...
|
| (I could probably pick up the phone and activate, but I would rather
avoid
| the hassel).
|
| Greg

 

[R. McCarty]

Greg,

I was speaking about the major OEM's (Dell, HP) PCs that come
pre-activated. I'll admit it's confusing to me. Are you saying that all
OEM installs (Small businesses, etc) will not be able to activate via
the Web, but only by phone ? I use OEM XP Professional and if
what you're saying is correct if I re-install I've got to activate the XP
by phone ? From what I've read this change only affects the major
OEMs and might be extended to other OEM levels later on.

It does if you sysprep an OEM installation. The OEM key will not get you
around having to activate it. Now you must pick up the phone. Trust me.


Greg

An OEM Factory state PC doesn't require activation. It's bypassed
by the preparation process. It's when a OEM Key is used on a non
OEM based install that the Activation by phone is required.

As of March 1. It was previously announced.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
When and why did this happen?

Alias

Holy sh*t!

That means the thirty+ different OEM sysprep images we have for all of
our Dell machines will require a phone call everytime we want to place
one now? ("Ok now lets enter the next 4 digits..." <gag>)

Activation just went from being a PITA to a major PITA!

I don't suppose it is legal, to rebuild the images using our one MOLP
disc instead of Dell's OEM ones. (I mean we own a XP license for the
machines after all...)

Greg

If you are using an OEM version of Windows XP that came
with a new computer, you'll have to "activate by phone".

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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

:

| We have been trying to activate a few machines that have been
syspreped and
| as yesterday have been getting an that the MS Activation Center
could not be
| reached. If we bypass activation they see the internet just fine.
We have
| about fifty of these machines and we have been not problems for the
last
| couple months until yesterday...
|
| (I could probably pick up the phone and activate, but I would
rather avoid
| the hassel).
|
| Greg

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

An installation on new hardware with an OEM cd is quite different from what
is being blocked. That should still activate by phone. Example, you buy a
box and get an OEM cd for the system the retail dealer installed on the box.
You could do a clean reinstall and still activate by phone.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Greg,

I was speaking about the major OEM's (Dell, HP) PCs that come
pre-activated. I'll admit it's confusing to me. Are you saying that all
OEM installs (Small businesses, etc) will not be able to activate via
the Web, but only by phone ? I use OEM XP Professional and if
what you're saying is correct if I re-install I've got to activate the XP
by phone ? From what I've read this change only affects the major
OEMs and might be extended to other OEM levels later on.

It does if you sysprep an OEM installation. The OEM key will not get you
around having to activate it. Now you must pick up the phone. Trust me.


Greg

An OEM Factory state PC doesn't require activation. It's bypassed
by the preparation process. It's when a OEM Key is used on a non
OEM based install that the Activation by phone is required.

As of March 1. It was previously announced.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
When and why did this happen?

Alias

Holy sh*t!

That means the thirty+ different OEM sysprep images we have for all
of our Dell machines will require a phone call everytime we want to
place one now? ("Ok now lets enter the next 4 digits..." <gag>)

Activation just went from being a PITA to a major PITA!

I don't suppose it is legal, to rebuild the images using our one MOLP
disc instead of Dell's OEM ones. (I mean we own a XP license for the
machines after all...)

Greg

If you are using an OEM version of Windows XP that came
with a new computer, you'll have to "activate by phone".

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

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

:

| We have been trying to activate a few machines that have been
syspreped and
| as yesterday have been getting an that the MS Activation Center
could not be
| reached. If we bypass activation they see the internet just fine.
We have
| about fifty of these machines and we have been not problems for
the last
| couple months until yesterday...
|
| (I could probably pick up the phone and activate, but I would
rather avoid
| the hassel).
|
| Greg

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

You can buy your own retail copy of Windows full and do a clean install and
then activate by phone with no problem because the key is retail.