Activation problems

[LLT]

My boyfriend has Windows XP home edition. He lives in
England. Today he rebooted his computer and he got the
you need to reactivate windows XP out of no where. The
problem is, when he goes to reactivate it, he says he's
done it to many times. He called up a place and asked
them and they said you can only reformat your computer 5
times with XP before your reactivation doesn't work
anymore. Is this true or is it a load of bollocks? This
means he has to go spend another $140 to buy the windows
activation key since his won't work.

 

[Rock]

It's not true. There is no limit to the # of times one can install and
activate XP on the same system. And, if it's a retail version, not OEM,
it can be taken off one system and put on another as many times as is
wanted too. Just can't be installed on two systems at the same time.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

At the most it may be a partial truth.

There is no limit as to the number of times Windows XP can be
installed and activated on the original computer.

However there are several items that can trigger the necessity to
activate by phone.
One may be simply a certain number of activations in a specified
period of time.
If phone activation is necessary, the correct number for your region
will be displayed.
Call the number, usually done in about 5 minutes.

Also see:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

 

[Kelly]

This has to do with other issues. Post the exact error messages, as this is
not the only one.

 

[Plato]

My boyfriend has Windows XP home edition. He lives in
England. Today he rebooted his computer and he got the
you need to reactivate windows XP out of no where. The
problem is, when he goes to reactivate it, he says he's
done it to many times. He called up a place and asked
them and they said you can only reformat your computer 5
times with XP before your reactivation doesn't work
anymore. Is this true or is it a load of bollocks? This

The place he called must be newbies. Have him call mS to get it sorted.
Wont cost anything but the phone call.

 

[Greg R]

My boyfriend has Windows XP home edition. He lives in
England. Today he rebooted his computer and he got the
you need to reactivate windows XP out of no where. The
problem is, when he goes to reactivate it, he says he's
done it to many times. He called up a place and asked
them and they said you can only reformat your computer 5
times with XP before your reactivation doesn't work
anymore. Is this true or is it a load of bollocks? This
means he has to go spend another $140 to buy the windows
activation key since his won't work.

I activated another computer at least 10 times within the 120 day
period. No he does not nead to buy another copy.

I would call back and tell them you system crash and would like to
reactive your computer-if it cant be done by the internet.

Microsoft need to train the reps better.


Greg R

 

[Alias]

I activated another computer at least 10 times within the 120 day
period. No he does not nead to buy another copy.

I would call back and tell them you system crash and would like to
reactive your computer-if it cant be done by the internet.

Microsoft need to train the reps better.


Greg R

Ah, the joys of activation. Who is inconvenienced? The crackers? No. PAYING
CUSTOMERS? Yes.

Alias

 

[Alex Nichol]

My boyfriend has Windows XP home edition. He lives in
England. Today he rebooted his computer and he got the
you need to reactivate windows XP out of no where. The
problem is, when he goes to reactivate it, he says he's
done it to many times. He called up a place and asked
them and they said you can only reformat your computer 5
times with XP before your reactivation doesn't work
anymore. Is this true or is it a load of bollocks?

That is plain not true, provided it is on the same, or substantially the
same hardware. If he makes a lot of changes in hardware then auto
activate may think it is a new machine, hence possibly more than one at
once so require you to phone in to activate, declaring it *is* the same
machine.

Tell him to try again, and note the number called and the time and date;
and if he gets the same spiel ask for the name of the operator and to
speak to a supervisor. And let us know these details . And you can
refer to my page www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

He apparently called a wrong number.

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. 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:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Les Herrman]

That is plain not true, provided it is on the same, or substantially the
same hardware. If he makes a lot of changes in hardware then auto
activate may think it is a new machine, hence possibly more than one at
once so require you to phone in to activate, declaring it *is* the same
machine.

Tell him to try again, and note the number called and the time and date;
and if he gets the same spiel ask for the name of the operator and to
speak to a supervisor. And let us know these details . And you can
refer to my page www.aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

Alex, I don't think he called MS. "He called up a place..."

Sounds more like he called some computer store or something like that
rather than calling the activation number given to him by XP.