Authorization code - US/MEX

[Name]

My girlfriend's daughter wants to buy a computer system for herself, for
Christmas. We all live within 5 miles of the border, and if she bought
the computer in Mexico it's about $300 more for the same thing.

Crossing the border is a problem. Their is no customs tax on anything
brought into Mexico if it's value is $150 or less. There is a major
penalty by Mexico if caught.

Our 'great plan' is to wait until the Christmas sales and buy the
computer in the USA at CompUSA or some other large store. (Her credit
card). We do want to set it up and see if there is nothing wrong with
it, but do not want the authorization number registered to me. Then take
it apart and whoever crosses the border takes a 'piece' of it and
reassembles it in Mexico.

If I take it out of the box and hook it up to my cable does that affect
the Microsoft #? won't be used, just checked for defects.

Thanks, in advance.

 

[cimex]

Once you use the machine, you have 30 days to activate it, so activate it at
the first opportunity, if you feel the need to "test" the machine in the
States. After that, even if the machine were stolen, all MS cares about is
that the operating system and the program "maintain their marital vows," as
they were "wedded" when the manufacturer wrote the OS onto the hard drive.

Good luck with the "reassembly operation"! Did you send her a car in the
same manner?

 

[SunSpot]

XP will not be activated or registered, until you choose to do so.
Hooking it up to see if it works will have no effect on it.

 

[cimex]

Correct. But, if the machine is turned on, doesn't this "start the countdown
clock"?

 

[D.Currie]

If you buy a computer from CompUSA it will likely be pre-activated. If not,
activation has nothing to do with who owns the computer. Registration is
optional and can be done any time.

Before you embark on this whole disassembly scheme, you might want to look
into how much that customs tax is, vs. the possibility that by taking the
whole thing apart, you might be voiding the warranty. And if it doesn't work
when you get it all put back together, how much is that going to cost to
fix?

 

[SunSpot]

Yes, but that is not what the OP asked.
Also, it would not make any difference.
If the 30 day period expired, all you have to do is
activate it and your back in business.