Activation Problem - How can I talk to somebody

[Guest]

I have recently purchased an OEM copy of XP Pro for a PC I am modifying and
upgraded, from a Microsoft recommended dealer.

Installed XP Pro, got to the activation screen and it tells me that the
serial number of the software I have is already registered on another PC
I have the disk and the hologram sticker. Spoke to the company that supplied
it, they suggested I contact Microsoft, tried that, got an automated system
that verbally gave me the same message and no options to actually speak to
any one. Rang MS support/ sales, got told because it was OEM, they weren't
interested in assisting and to go back to the dealer. SPoke to the dealer,
his response, buy another copy.

Surely there must be a number or a means of actually talking to somebody
about this problem who might actually be interested in helping me.

 

[Alias]

I have recently purchased an OEM copy of XP Pro for a PC I am modifying and
upgraded, from a Microsoft recommended dealer.

Installed XP Pro, got to the activation screen and it tells me that the
serial number of the software I have is already registered on another PC
I have the disk and the hologram sticker. Spoke to the company that supplied
it, they suggested I contact Microsoft, tried that, got an automated system
that verbally gave me the same message and no options to actually speak to
any one. Rang MS support/ sales, got told because it was OEM, they weren't
interested in assisting and to go back to the dealer. SPoke to the dealer,
his response, buy another copy.

Surely there must be a number or a means of actually talking to somebody
about this problem who might actually be interested in helping me.

Do phone activation and tell them what happened and they should activate
you.

Alias

 

[Guest]

Only problem with trying to phone activation in the UK is that it is an
automated system with no option to speak to a real person. Rang main contact
number for MS UK and asked to speak to somebody about an activation problem
and got the OEM message of no support.

Rob

 

[Gordon]

Only problem with trying to phone activation in the UK is that it is an
automated system with no option to speak to a real person.

No it's not - when automated telephone activation fails it gives you a
number to ring for activation......which involves actually speaking to a
person....

 

[Guest]

Didn't give me anything, it just cut the phone line off and went dead. Sorry

 

[Gordon]

Didn't give me anything, it just cut the phone line off and went dead.
Sorry

Hmmm - I've used that number several times (in the UK.......) with no
problems....

 

[Alias]

Didn't give me anything, it just cut the phone line off and went dead. Sorry

Most of the phone operators in India are probably asleep. Try at an hour
when most of India is awake.

Alias

 

[Ron Martell]

I have recently purchased an OEM copy of XP Pro for a PC I am modifying and
upgraded, from a Microsoft recommended dealer.

Installed XP Pro, got to the activation screen and it tells me that the
serial number of the software I have is already registered on another PC
I have the disk and the hologram sticker. Spoke to the company that supplied
it, they suggested I contact Microsoft, tried that, got an automated system
that verbally gave me the same message and no options to actually speak to
any one. Rang MS support/ sales, got told because it was OEM, they weren't
interested in assisting and to go back to the dealer. SPoke to the dealer,
his response, buy another copy.

Surely there must be a number or a means of actually talking to somebody
about this problem who might actually be interested in helping me.

Take it back to the dealer and get another copy.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2008)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

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

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

On Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:12:04 +0100, "Gordon"

Hmmm - I've used that number several times (in the UK.......) with no
problems....

It may have changed lately, as the activation call center procedures
have evolved. I'm exposed to this on a regular basis, as I have to
activate the PCs I build, and it's govne through 3 broad changes...

1) All-human

Initially, calls would pass through a routing digit menu that would
fall through to a human, who would ask you to read your numbers, and
then read you back the numbers you need.

2) Digit menu entry, human fall-through

Perhaps this was always the case (as initially I had no digit-dialing
handset), but what happens in this case is that after digiting to
select the initial menu, another automated process would ask you to
enter your numbers as digits; then it would read back the digits you'd
need to enter on the PC.

If that failed (e.g. you were rejected because the license appeared to
be already in use), you'd be referred to a human (from South Africa
time zone, usually with an Irish accent) who would ask for the first
few digits (to match the logged failed attempt) and then questions
would be asked, answers given, and I'd get my numbers.

3) Digit menu entry, digit menu fall-through

This is what has been happening in the last month or so. It's like
(2) except that on rejection, you fall through to another automated
system that asks a bunch of questions, much as trhe human operator of
(2) would have done. At the end, you either get your numbers, or you
don't. Trial by machine, no human court of appeal.

Nasty little trick question:

"How many PCs is this product installed on? Press:
- 1 if more than one PC
- 2 if only on one PC"

Yeah, right - doesn't give "trustworthy vendor" warm-and-fuzzies.

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