encouragement (bad news and good news)

[Charles Cashion]

I just purchased (yes! bought!) a copy of Windows XP Home Upgrade.
I used it to refresh the Windows XP Home on my Thinkpad laptop
that was accidently corrupted. (Probably my fault, but I was
very cleverly fooled.)

After the installation, but before I was able to configure my
internet access, the installation informed me that I had 0 days
(yes ZERO days) to activate my computer via internet connection.

Do you already see a problem.

When I clicked "remind me later", it did. It waited about 10
seconds and reminded me that I must activate within 0 days.

My only choice was to select "ACTIVATE BY TELEPHONE". I have
heard horror stories regarding trying to telephone Microsoft.
So it was with much fear uncertainty and doubt that I dialed
the number.

The phone was answered immediately by a computer. But after a
few seconds, my fears were somewhat reduced. First the computer
did not ask me to wait. Then the computer has been trained
to understand several spoken words and numbers. I was asked
to read a 54 digit number and to accept another 54 digit number.

voila! My computer is alive!

(1)perhaps this message saves somebody from getting angry.
(2)perhaps somebody will tell me something I do not know.

Regards,
Charles

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Charles;
While some have problems with activation, most needing to activate by phone
have similar experiences as you.
Most of the "horror stories" have little basis in fact and are often spread
by Microsoft critics.

As to why you needed to activate immediately instead of the usual 15 days, I
don't know.
There may have been something wrong with prior installation.
Did something change the date/time on your computer?

 

[AJR]

Depending on the type of reinstallation of XP -reactivation may be required
within three (3) days.
That is not three days cumulative use of XP - but actual time based. Did
you accurately set the time zone and time?

 

[Charles Cashion]

Depending on the type of reinstallation of XP -reactivation may be required
within three (3) days.
That is not three days cumulative use of XP - but actual time based. Did
you accurately set the time zone and time?

AJR:
There was NO accumulated usage.
Usage does not occur until Windows says, "GO".

Did something change the date/time on your computer?

If the clock time or time zone changed, it changed itself back.

Thanks to both of you for expressing interest.
Charles

 

[Charles Cashion]

Depending on the type of reinstallation of XP -reactivation may be

required within three (3) days.

That is not three days cumulative use of XP - but actual time based.

Did you accurately set the time zone and time?

AJR:
There was NO accumulated usage.
Usage does not occur until Windows says, "GO".

Did something change the date/time on your computer?

If the clock time or time zone changed, it changed itself back.

I just thought of something that is possible. Perhaps the CDROM set
my clock to the time that was in effect when the CDROM was created.
If the CDROM was cut more than 30 days ago, it thought my grace
period was long past. ... If I EVER re-install (again) I will
pay close attention to this.

AGAIN... Thanks to both of you for expressing interest.
Charles