XP Self Activated - Is this possible?

[Tom Runge]

I recently purchased a new computer and was not connected to the
internet when the product activation wizard popped up so I closed it.
The next day, after establishing an internet connection I decided to
activate XP. I could not figure out how to open the wizard so I went
to the help area to try and figure out how to open it. (The
activation icon was not in accessories/system tools). When I then
tried to run the wizard the computer informed me that XP was already
activated. Could this have happened on its own? I had not entered
any product ID data at all and had not been to any MS sites. I am
cross posting this for wide dissemination and apologize if this
offends anyone. I certainly appreciate your help with this.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Many computer manufacturers install a BIOS-locked version
of Windows XP that does not require Product Activation. That
is probably your case as well.

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

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

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

:

| I recently purchased a new computer and was not connected to the
| internet when the product activation wizard popped up so I closed it.
| The next day, after establishing an internet connection I decided to
| activate XP. I could not figure out how to open the wizard so I went
| to the help area to try and figure out how to open it. (The
| activation icon was not in accessories/system tools). When I then
| tried to run the wizard the computer informed me that XP was already
| activated. Could this have happened on its own? I had not entered
| any product ID data at all and had not been to any MS sites. I am
| cross posting this for wide dissemination and apologize if this
| offends anyone. I certainly appreciate your help with this.

 

[Alias]

Did the XP come preinstalled on the computer? Brand name of the computer?

Alias

 

[Tom Runge]

Thanks for the reply. The computer is an Emachines with preinstalled
software. I do not fully understand your reply, but guess that must
be the case.

 

[Tom Runge]

It is an Emachines computer with preinstalled software. Another group
member said that it may have BIOS locked software which does not
require activation. I did not see anything about that on the MS site
though. Guess I won't worry about it unless it starts asking me to
activate again.

 

[Alias]

It comes activated. Had you clicked on the bubble, it would have said it's
activated.

Alias

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Tom;
Is it possible you saw a Registration wizard?
Emachines come pre-activated.
There may be an opportunity to register but not activate.

Do not confuse Activation and Registration.
Registration includes personal information and is optional.
Activation does not include personal information and is mandatory.

 

[Guest]

Hi There:

When a new computer is purchased with Windows XP already pre-installed,
your activation for the software is already done for you. I had the same
problem when I first purchased my computer until I found out that it is
definitely locked within the BIOS so it does not require you to activate the
registration. So sit back, relax, and Enjoy your new computer! No worries
about registration even if you have to [and hopefully you won't] in the
future do a "Repair" or "Factory-Restore" it's all in the BIOS. Have a Great
Day!

 

[Alias]

Activation does not include personal information and is mandatory.

Only for paying customers. Pirates don't have to activate.

Alias

 

[Tom Runge]

It may have been the registration wizard in retrospect, as at the time
I did not know that there were two different options available with
XP. I certainly appreciate all of the replies that I have received
about this, as I have certainly learned a lot!

 

[Bob I]

And thieves don't need house keys.

Only for paying customers. Pirates don't have to activate.

Alias

 

[Alias]

And thieves don't need house keys.

And do homeowners need new keys everytime they change the furniture (to use
your lame analogy)?

Fact is activation/validation and whatever they think of next only
inconveniences the paying customer and does nothing to stop piracy, causal
or otherwise.

Alias

 

[Bob I]

Must bother you. YAWN.

And do homeowners need new keys everytime they change the furniture (to use
your lame analogy)?

Fact is activation/validation and whatever they think of next only
inconveniences the paying customer and does nothing to stop piracy, causal
or otherwise.

Alias