Activation

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I am an avid computer user and upgrade my system as often as I can afford. After recently gutting my system for numerous upgrades, I reactivated with no problems. I them added another 512 MB of ram and was asked to reactivate another time. I called to talk with a rep. He said my limit of activation exceeded the license agreement and that I should buy a new copy of XP or a license. I argued and stated my opinion of the situation with furious anger. I had to tell him about upgrdes and such then I was given a code. Is this what it takes to get your product you have bought for your personal use activated. Has anyone else had these problems with product activation? Has anyone been denied in the same instance I experienced? I am angry about my experience and have reluctance about reformatting my harddrive or upgading. Are my feelings valid or should I not worry about how many times I am required to reactivate?
 
I've exceeded the installation times also,and xp couldnt activate,from thier
i reopened the activate xp utility,selected,activate from telephone,888 5712048
Microsoft then asks why the activation,tell them youre prompted to,because
of new hardware,they give you a nos,you activate,youre thru.My copy of xp
probably has been installed 25-35 times,same machine though.
 
You can activate your original XP computer as many times as you want.
Just adding Ram does not disqualify you.
You can make quite a few hardware changes, and still be OK.
Usually only a phone call is all it takes to explain what you did.
The phone number is provided for this when necessary.

You had the right to get angry.
 
Is Windows XP retail or OEM.

If OEM, depending on the answers it may have seemed like you were
installing on a new computer.
Normally OEM is permanently tied to the original computer regardless
the condition of the original computer.

If Windows XP is retail, there is no limit on installations or
computer transfers as long as it is installed on no more than one
computer at a time.
There should be no issues here except after a while typically a 5
minute toll free call to Microsoft is required for activation.

The tech may have misunderstood or plain not know his
responsibilities.

Do you have a name and/or incident number?
If so and you Email me directly, I will forward to someone at
Microsoft who could look into it.
Do NOT post on the newsgroup

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


VeryAngryXPuser said:
I am an avid computer user and upgrade my system as often as I can
Click to expand...
afford. After recently gutting my system for numerous upgrades, I
reactivated with no problems. I them added another 512 MB of ram and
was asked to reactivate another time. I called to talk with a rep. He
said my limit of activation exceeded the license agreement and that I
should buy a new copy of XP or a license. I argued and stated my
opinion of the situation with furious anger. I had to tell him about
upgrdes and such then I was given a code. Is this what it takes to get
your product you have bought for your personal use activated. Has
anyone else had these problems with product activation? Has anyone
been denied in the same instance I experienced? I am angry about my
experience and have reluctance about reformatting my harddrive or
upgading. Are my feelings valid or should I not worry about how many
times I am required to reactivate?
 
Greetings --

You apparently had the misfortune to speak with an incompetent
representative.

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


VeryAngryXPuser said:
I am an avid computer user and upgrade my system as often as I can
Click to expand...
afford. After recently gutting my system for numerous upgrades, I
reactivated with no problems. I them added another 512 MB of ram and
was asked to reactivate another time. I called to talk with a rep. He
said my limit of activation exceeded the license agreement and that I
should buy a new copy of XP or a license. I argued and stated my
opinion of the situation with furious anger. I had to tell him about
upgrdes and such then I was given a code. Is this what it takes to get
your product you have bought for your personal use activated. Has
anyone else had these problems with product activation? Has anyone
been denied in the same instance I experienced? I am angry about my
experience and have reluctance about reformatting my harddrive or
upgading. Are my feelings valid or should I not worry about how many
times I am required to reactivate?
 
Next time,
Try activating be the web it should go through. Before doing this
You might want to do a clean install of xp.
Then try activating by the internet. If not call them again.
Tell them you had to restore everything and you put some new hardware
in. If he/she refuses to activate it ask to speak to a supervisor.
If not call back again. You will eventually get someone to activate
it.


Greg R
 
In defence of Microsoft: they neeeded to protect their intellectual property and income. Hopefully it will result in a lower cost to the individual purchaser.

For we poor users: there are many ways to obtain a genuine Microsoft XP version including.
1. Full Retail Windows XP Pro or Home - full price
2. Full Retail Windows XP Pro Academic Edition [if one qualifies] - 1/4 of 1.
3. Full Retail Windows XP Pro Upgrade Edition - 1/2 of 1.
4. OEM Windows XP Pro or Home - 1/4/ of 1.

to buy the OEM version one needs to purchase a major system component [includes CPU or Hard Drive].

Now the OEM versions have usage limitation, but at the price, well you get what you pay for.

As for activation, I build and rebuild systems every day of the week. NOT ONCE have I ever been refused an activation code. In certain instances the 'online' activation will not work, however I generally call Microsoft and eplain the circumstances to the rep on the phone.

So I cannot fault Microsoft in any way. It's just that the activation process is an annoyance one must manage each time there are significant changes to the system.

It also heps to be courteous when speaking with folks who have to do one of the worst jobs: can you imagine sitting at a desk and speaking with angry or irritated people every time the phone rings. Not a pleasant thought.
 
I had to call once and I told them what I had done to my machine, and they gave me a code and activated it, no problems. When you make big changes to your computer like motherboard or processor changes, you will have to call in probably. But like I said its no big deal.
 
Back
Top