Multiple Activations

[SyberKool]

Okay, after reading some post today, I've read that re-activation is
necessary after hardware changes. I'm very tech savvy, but this activation
issue is getting too confusing for us legitimate users. I just upgraded my
laptop from XP Home to Vista Home Premium via upgrade dvd and only activated
once. I've even updated my printer and wireless trackball drivers and no
request to reactivate. Now I plan on installing more RAM, because Vista is
very resource hungry, wondering will I have to re-activate afterwards.

It appears that Microsoft didn't quite outline the new activation process,
or maybe I missed it, but can it be believed that only major hardware changes
will affect activation or does that 120-day re-activation requirement really
exist. I just paid a bundle for this software and will only install it on my
laptop, with no intentions on ever upgrading my desktop, so why should I have
to re-activate Windows. This is the one issue I can't seem to get a straight
answer on, or even find anything in other site to explain.

 

[Gordon]

Okay, after reading some post today, I've read that re-activation is
necessary after hardware changes. I'm very tech savvy, but this activation
issue is getting too confusing for us legitimate users. I just upgraded my
laptop from XP Home to Vista Home Premium via upgrade dvd and only
activated
once. I've even updated my printer and wireless trackball drivers and no
request to reactivate. Now I plan on installing more RAM, because Vista is
very resource hungry, wondering will I have to re-activate afterwards.

Have a look here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/activationfaq.mspx

 

[Tim Slattery]

Okay, after reading some post today, I've read that re-activation is
necessary after hardware changes. I'm very tech savvy, but this activation
issue is getting too confusing for us legitimate users. I just upgraded my
laptop from XP Home to Vista Home Premium via upgrade dvd and only activated
once. I've even updated my printer and wireless trackball drivers and no
request to reactivate. Now I plan on installing more RAM, because Vista is
very resource hungry, wondering will I have to re-activate afterwards.

Switching a printer or pointing device will never (AFAIK) trigger
activation. Switching a motherboard pretty surely will. Adding RAM
should not make you reactivate.

It appears that Microsoft didn't quite outline the new activation process,
or maybe I missed it, but can it be believed that only major hardware changes
will affect activation or does that 120-day re-activation requirement really
exist.

They don't say a whole lot about it. It is supposed to be major
hardware changes, but they define what that is, of course. Several
people have claimed the 120 day thing exists, but I don't think MS has
ever said.

 

[PaulB]

Hello,
I recently upgraded my video card and had to reactivate, Did it over the
internet (no phone requirement)
Then added RAM, required reactivation. Again over the net.
Went back to old video card, reactivated again. No problem.
I don't know what the trigger point is but so far it has been easy.

 

[kurttrail]

Okay, after reading some post today, I've read that re-activation is
necessary after hardware changes. I'm very tech savvy, but this
activation issue is getting too confusing for us legitimate users. I
just upgraded my laptop from XP Home to Vista Home Premium via upgrade
dvd and only activated once. I've even updated my printer and wireless
trackball drivers and no request to reactivate. Now I plan on installing
more RAM, because Vista is very resource hungry, wondering will I have
to re-activate afterwards.

It appears that Microsoft didn't quite outline the new activation
process, or maybe I missed it, but can it be believed that only major
hardware changes will affect activation or does that 120-day
re-activation requirement really exist. I just paid a bundle for this
software and will only install it on my laptop, with no intentions on
ever upgrading my desktop, so why should I have to re-activate Windows.
This is the one issue I can't seem to get a straight answer on, or even
find anything in other site to explain.

Yep, it is purposefully confusing, as MS sells licenses that people don't
really need by exploiting that confusion.

RAM changes tend to trigger re-activation more than anything other than
mobo changes.

More than likely, you'll be able to activate over internet. If not, do
the phone option. And tell the PA phone rep all you did was change your
RAM.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Former Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[Not Me]

I had to reactivate Vista after rearranging the RAM. Same RAM different
slots...reactivation required.
MS has taken the anti-piracy thing way too far with this activation thing!

 

[C.B.]

Okay, after reading some post today, I've read that re-activation is
necessary after hardware changes. I'm very tech savvy, but this activation
issue is getting too confusing for us legitimate users. I just upgraded my
laptop from XP Home to Vista Home Premium via upgrade dvd and only
activated
once. I've even updated my printer and wireless trackball drivers and no
request to reactivate. Now I plan on installing more RAM, because Vista is
very resource hungry, wondering will I have to re-activate afterwards.

It appears that Microsoft didn't quite outline the new activation process,
or maybe I missed it, but can it be believed that only major hardware
changes
will affect activation or does that 120-day re-activation requirement
really
exist. I just paid a bundle for this software and will only install it on
my
laptop, with no intentions on ever upgrading my desktop, so why should I
have
to re-activate Windows. This is the one issue I can't seem to get a
straight
answer on, or even find anything in other site to explain.

I bought a new computer with Vista Home Premium February of 2007 and
did a retail upgrade, clean install, to Ultimate. Upgraded a hard drive, no
activation. Sometime later upgraded the hard drive again, no activation.
Sometime later replaced the motherboard that was fried due to a BIOS flash,
no activation. Sometime later added another GB of RAM, no activation.
Sometime later added another GB of RAM, no activation.
Maybe I just lucked out. I don't know.

C.B.

 

[PNutts]

Yep, it is purposefully confusing, as MS sells licenses that people don't
really need by exploiting that confusion.

How so?

 

[Nonny]

How so?

Don't pay attention to "kurttrail".

 

[PNutts]

Don't pay attention to "kurttrail".

Ah. Got it. Thx. Maybe he got an activation notification and went out and
bought a new copy??? LOL!

 

[Nonny]

Ah. Got it. Thx. Maybe he got an activation notification and went out and
bought a new copy??? LOL!

He's a troll who hasn't got anything good to say about MS or its
products.

He's good food for your kill file.

 

[Grey]

If you have something as simple as a blown motherboard with Vista and
replace it with a motherboard that isn't exactly the same, then it isn't
just reactivation, it is also complete fresh install. It isn't like the old
XP days where you could repair install and activate and away you go.

 

[Gordon]

I had to reactivate Vista after rearranging the RAM. Same RAM different
slots...reactivation required.
MS has taken the anti-piracy thing way too far with this activation thing!

Yet I added a second RAM chip to my machine - NO activation required.

 

[kurttrail]

How so?

I tell you how. MS has been aware of the confusion surrounding PA since
2001 and has done nothing to clear up the confusion. In fact, it seems
that they just added to it by the introduction of WGA a few years ago.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Former Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[kurttrail]

He's a troll who hasn't got anything good to say about MS or its
products.

That's BS. If MS does something I believe is right, I have no problem
saying it. It's just that MS doesn't do much right, and am I to be
faulted because MS isn't very consumer friendly?

But I do love you perceived definition of a troll here. Someone who is
anti-MS.

He's good food for your kill file.

There I agree with you. Anyone that needs to hide from the truth, like
Republicans, Christians, and MicroFanboys, should killfile me for their
own peace of mind, because I have this real bad habit of telling the
uncomfortable truth to those that just do not want to hear it.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Former Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[kurttrail]

Ah. Got it. Thx. Maybe he got an activation notification and went out
and bought a new copy??? LOL!

My copy of Vista doesn't require activation. ;-)

--
Peace!
Kurt
Former Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[kurttrail]

Yet I added a second RAM chip to my machine - NO activation required.

That just goes to show how flakey PA is. PA doesn't work the same way
every time.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Former Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[kurttrail]

I bought a new computer with Vista Home Premium February of 2007
and
did a retail upgrade, clean install, to Ultimate. Upgraded a hard drive,
no activation. Sometime later upgraded the hard drive again, no
activation. Sometime later replaced the motherboard that was fried due
to a BIOS flash, no activation. Sometime later added another GB of RAM,
no activation. Sometime later added another GB of RAM, no activation.
Maybe I just lucked out. I don't know.

C.B.

Yep, yet another example that clearly shows that PA doesn't work the same
way on every computer.

PA is rotten from the very core.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Former Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei!"

 

[John Barnett MVP]

I upgraded the RAM in a new machine from 1GB to 2GB and it didn't need
re-activating. Personally I would class RAM upgrades as 'major'.

--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

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[PNutts]

I tell you how. MS has been aware of the confusion surrounding PA since
2001 and has done nothing to clear up the confusion. In fact, it seems
that they just added to it by the introduction of WGA a few years ago.

Again, how does that translate into selling additional licenses?