Product Activation on new PC

[DLMacHead]

I'm a mac user, currently using Windows XP under boot camp on an Intel
MacBook. I'm getting ready to sell this one and get a new one. How do I
"de-activate" Windows XP on my old MacBook? so I can "re-activate" on my new
one?

 

[David B.]

There is no such thing as deactivation. If this is a retail copy of XP just
remove it from the old Mac, install on the new one, and reactivate (you may
need to do it by phone). If this is an OEM license of XP, per the EULA you
cannot move it to your new Mac, it's tied to the first machine it was
installed on, that said, just do the same thing I described above.

 

[Ken Blake]

I'm a mac user, currently using Windows XP under boot camp on an Intel
MacBook. I'm getting ready to sell this one and get a new one. How do I
"de-activate" Windows XP on my old MacBook? so I can "re-activate" on my
new
one?

Deactivation is neither necessary nor possible. Simply remove Windows XP
from the old machine, then install it on the new one and activate it there..

One additional point: the above presumes that your copy of XP is a retail
one. If it's an OEM one, you may *not* do this. The biggest disadvantage of
OEM copies (and the reason I recommend against them) is that the OEM license
ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on; it may never be
installed on another, not even if the original computer dies.

 

[Malke]

I'm a mac user, currently using Windows XP under boot camp on an Intel
MacBook. I'm getting ready to sell this one and get a new one. How do I
"de-activate" Windows XP on my old MacBook? so I can "re-activate" on my
new one?

The others have answered the deactivation question and discussed licensing.
If you don't want to sell your computer with Boot Camp installed - and you
would need to give the buyer your copy of Windows if you do this - then go
to Applications>Utilities>Boot Camp Assistant. Run it and it will give you
the ability to remove the Boot Camp Windows install and return your Mac to
a single partition. I've done this numerous times with clients' Macs with
no problems, but I'd certainly back up your data first Just In Case.

Malke

 

[DLMacHead]

It is a retail version (which I still have all original media/box/documents
etc). This may be a stupid question, but if there is no "de-activation", how
will my new activation actually work? Reason I ask, all of Adobe's softwares
require a "transfer" or "de-activation" BEFORE I can install them on a new
machine and activate them there.

 

[DLMacHead]

I'm definitely NOT selling it WITH Boot Camp installed. I'll still need the
boot camp ability on my new one. Thanks for your advice on using Boot Camp
Assistant. I didn't realize you could do eliminate the windows partition
without affecting your mac partition. But, as always though, I do have backup
just in case.

 

[Leonard Grey]

Here's how the new activation works, explained in my inimitable style.

Our play opens as you are installing XP on the new computer:

You [noticing the product activation screen]: Whaddaya mean I can't use
this product key?! Oh look, there's a phone number to call. Think I'll
try it.

Microsoft: I see you're trying to activate the same license key on two
different computers. Naughty, naughty.

You: No, no...I formatted the hard drive on the old computer. I'm just
transferring my copy of XP to a new computer. It's a retail copy of XP,
I can do that.

Microsoft: Of course you can. I'll just use an algorithm based on the
hardware in your new computer to generate a form of GUID that identifies
your computer and then activate your copy of Windows to your new
computer. There, all done.

You: Thank you.

Microsoft: Can I interest you in upgrading to Vista?

You: Oops, someone just rang the doorbell. Gotta go...

 

[Malke]

I'm definitely NOT selling it WITH Boot Camp installed. I'll still need
the boot camp ability on my new one. Thanks for your advice on using Boot
Camp Assistant. I didn't realize you could do eliminate the windows
partition without affecting your mac partition. But, as always though, I
do have backup just in case.

Good. Then you are all set. When you use the Boot Camp Assistant on your new
Mac and install your Windows XP, you probably will have no issues
activating it automatically over the Internet. If you do (the automatic
Activation site thinks this copy of XP is still in use), you will have the
opportunity to use Phone Activation. It only takes a few minutes and
everything will be fine.

Malke

 

[DLMacHead]

Thanks. I figured I'd have end up calling.

Here's how the new activation works, explained in my inimitable style.

Our play opens as you are installing XP on the new computer:

You [noticing the product activation screen]: Whaddaya mean I can't use
this product key?! Oh look, there's a phone number to call. Think I'll
try it.

Microsoft: I see you're trying to activate the same license key on two
different computers. Naughty, naughty.

You: No, no...I formatted the hard drive on the old computer. I'm just
transferring my copy of XP to a new computer. It's a retail copy of XP,
I can do that.

Microsoft: Of course you can. I'll just use an algorithm based on the
hardware in your new computer to generate a form of GUID that identifies
your computer and then activate your copy of Windows to your new
computer. There, all done.

You: Thank you.

Microsoft: Can I interest you in upgrading to Vista?

You: Oops, someone just rang the doorbell. Gotta go...

---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

It is a retail version (which I still have all original media/box/documents
etc). This may be a stupid question, but if there is no "de-activation", how
will my new activation actually work? Reason I ask, all of Adobe's softwares
require a "transfer" or "de-activation" BEFORE I can install them on a new
machine and activate them there.

 

[DLMacHead]

Thanks for your help!

Good. Then you are all set. When you use the Boot Camp Assistant on your new
Mac and install your Windows XP, you probably will have no issues
activating it automatically over the Internet. If you do (the automatic
Activation site thinks this copy of XP is still in use), you will have the
opportunity to use Phone Activation. It only takes a few minutes and
everything will be fine.

Malke

 

[Ken Blake]

It is a retail version (which I still have all original
media/box/documents
etc).

Good, then you don't have the problem I mentioned.

This may be a stupid question, but if there is no "de-activation", how
will my new activation actually work?

It just does. Worst case, if you do it too soon (less than 90 days) after
the last activation on the old machine, you'll have to do it by telephone
and explain that you have a new computer. But even that is fast and easy.

Reason I ask, all of Adobe's softwares
require a "transfer" or "de-activation" BEFORE I can install them on a new
machine and activate them there.

I don't know anything about the way Adobe does it, but that's *not* the way
Microsoft does.

 

[Ken Blake]

Thanks. I figured I'd have end up calling.

As I said in my other message momemnts ago, *only* if it's been fewer than
90 days since the last activation.

Here's how the new activation works, explained in my inimitable style.

Our play opens as you are installing XP on the new computer:

You [noticing the product activation screen]: Whaddaya mean I can't use
this product key?! Oh look, there's a phone number to call. Think I'll
try it.

Microsoft: I see you're trying to activate the same license key on two
different computers. Naughty, naughty.

You: No, no...I formatted the hard drive on the old computer. I'm just
transferring my copy of XP to a new computer. It's a retail copy of XP,
I can do that.

Microsoft: Of course you can. I'll just use an algorithm based on the
hardware in your new computer to generate a form of GUID that identifies
your computer and then activate your copy of Windows to your new
computer. There, all done.

You: Thank you.

Microsoft: Can I interest you in upgrading to Vista?

You: Oops, someone just rang the doorbell. Gotta go...

---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

It is a retail version (which I still have all original
media/box/documents
etc). This may be a stupid question, but if there is no
"de-activation", how
will my new activation actually work? Reason I ask, all of Adobe's
softwares
require a "transfer" or "de-activation" BEFORE I can install them on a
new
machine and activate them there.

:


I'm a mac user, currently using Windows XP under boot camp on an
Intel
MacBook. I'm getting ready to sell this one and get a new one. How do
I
"de-activate" Windows XP on my old MacBook? so I can "re-activate" on
my
new
one?

Deactivation is neither necessary nor possible. Simply remove Windows
XP
from the old machine, then install it on the new one and activate it
there..

One additional point: the above presumes that your copy of XP is a
retail
one. If it's an OEM one, you may *not* do this. The biggest
disadvantage of
OEM copies (and the reason I recommend against them) is that the OEM
license
ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on; it may
never be
installed on another, not even if the original computer dies.

 

[Lil' Dave]

Please correct me. I thought it was 120 days, not 90.

--
Dave

If it looks like fish, smells like fish, its not
a cantaloupe.

Thanks. I figured I'd have end up calling.

As I said in my other message momemnts ago, *only* if it's been fewer than
90 days since the last activation.

Here's how the new activation works, explained in my inimitable style.

Our play opens as you are installing XP on the new computer:

You [noticing the product activation screen]: Whaddaya mean I can't use
this product key?! Oh look, there's a phone number to call. Think I'll
try it.

Microsoft: I see you're trying to activate the same license key on two
different computers. Naughty, naughty.

You: No, no...I formatted the hard drive on the old computer. I'm just
transferring my copy of XP to a new computer. It's a retail copy of XP,
I can do that.

Microsoft: Of course you can. I'll just use an algorithm based on the
hardware in your new computer to generate a form of GUID that identifies
your computer and then activate your copy of Windows to your new
computer. There, all done.

You: Thank you.

Microsoft: Can I interest you in upgrading to Vista?

You: Oops, someone just rang the doorbell. Gotta go...

---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

DLMacHead wrote:
It is a retail version (which I still have all original
media/box/documents
etc). This may be a stupid question, but if there is no
"de-activation", how
will my new activation actually work? Reason I ask, all of Adobe's
softwares
require a "transfer" or "de-activation" BEFORE I can install them on a
new
machine and activate them there.

:


I'm a mac user, currently using Windows XP under boot camp on an
Intel
MacBook. I'm getting ready to sell this one and get a new one. How
do I
"de-activate" Windows XP on my old MacBook? so I can "re-activate"
on my
new
one?

Deactivation is neither necessary nor possible. Simply remove Windows
XP
from the old machine, then install it on the new one and activate it
there..

One additional point: the above presumes that your copy of XP is a
retail
one. If it's an OEM one, you may *not* do this. The biggest
disadvantage of
OEM copies (and the reason I recommend against them) is that the OEM
license
ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on; it may
never be
installed on another, not even if the original computer dies.

 

[Ken Blake]

Please correct me. I thought it was 120 days, not 90.

I didn't check it (and don't have time to check it now), but my memory told
me it was 90 days.

Anybody else here know for sure?

Thanks. I figured I'd have end up calling.

As I said in my other message momemnts ago, *only* if it's been fewer
than 90 days since the last activation.

:

Here's how the new activation works, explained in my inimitable style.

Our play opens as you are installing XP on the new computer:

You [noticing the product activation screen]: Whaddaya mean I can't use
this product key?! Oh look, there's a phone number to call. Think I'll
try it.

Microsoft: I see you're trying to activate the same license key on two
different computers. Naughty, naughty.

You: No, no...I formatted the hard drive on the old computer. I'm just
transferring my copy of XP to a new computer. It's a retail copy of XP,
I can do that.

Microsoft: Of course you can. I'll just use an algorithm based on the
hardware in your new computer to generate a form of GUID that
identifies
your computer and then activate your copy of Windows to your new
computer. There, all done.

You: Thank you.

Microsoft: Can I interest you in upgrading to Vista?

You: Oops, someone just rang the doorbell. Gotta go...

---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

DLMacHead wrote:
It is a retail version (which I still have all original
media/box/documents
etc). This may be a stupid question, but if there is no
"de-activation", how
will my new activation actually work? Reason I ask, all of Adobe's
softwares
require a "transfer" or "de-activation" BEFORE I can install them on
a new
machine and activate them there.

:


I'm a mac user, currently using Windows XP under boot camp on an
Intel
MacBook. I'm getting ready to sell this one and get a new one. How
do I
"de-activate" Windows XP on my old MacBook? so I can "re-activate"
on my
new
one?

Deactivation is neither necessary nor possible. Simply remove
Windows XP
from the old machine, then install it on the new one and activate it
there..

One additional point: the above presumes that your copy of XP is a
retail
one. If it's an OEM one, you may *not* do this. The biggest
disadvantage of
OEM copies (and the reason I recommend against them) is that the OEM
license
ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on; it may
never be
installed on another, not even if the original computer dies.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I didn't check it (and don't have time to check it now), but my memory told
me it was 90 days.

Anybody else here know for sure?

It was 120 days when WinXP was first released; I don't know if it's
ever been changed. (I don't think so, but have never looked, either.)


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:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Peter Foldes]

Ken

It is 120
--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

Please correct me. I thought it was 120 days, not 90.

I didn't check it (and don't have time to check it now), but my memory told
me it was 90 days.

Anybody else here know for sure?

Thanks. I figured I'd have end up calling.


As I said in my other message momemnts ago, *only* if it's been fewer
than 90 days since the last activation.



:

Here's how the new activation works, explained in my inimitable style.

Our play opens as you are installing XP on the new computer:

You [noticing the product activation screen]: Whaddaya mean I can't use
this product key?! Oh look, there's a phone number to call. Think I'll
try it.

Microsoft: I see you're trying to activate the same license key on two
different computers. Naughty, naughty.

You: No, no...I formatted the hard drive on the old computer. I'm just
transferring my copy of XP to a new computer. It's a retail copy of XP,
I can do that.

Microsoft: Of course you can. I'll just use an algorithm based on the
hardware in your new computer to generate a form of GUID that
identifies
your computer and then activate your copy of Windows to your new
computer. There, all done.

You: Thank you.

Microsoft: Can I interest you in upgrading to Vista?

You: Oops, someone just rang the doorbell. Gotta go...

---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

DLMacHead wrote:
It is a retail version (which I still have all original
media/box/documents
etc). This may be a stupid question, but if there is no
"de-activation", how
will my new activation actually work? Reason I ask, all of Adobe's
softwares
require a "transfer" or "de-activation" BEFORE I can install them on
a new
machine and activate them there.

:


I'm a mac user, currently using Windows XP under boot camp on an
Intel
MacBook. I'm getting ready to sell this one and get a new one. How
do I
"de-activate" Windows XP on my old MacBook? so I can "re-activate"
on my
new
one?

Deactivation is neither necessary nor possible. Simply remove
Windows XP
from the old machine, then install it on the new one and activate it
there..

One additional point: the above presumes that your copy of XP is a
retail
one. If it's an OEM one, you may *not* do this. The biggest
disadvantage of
OEM copies (and the reason I recommend against them) is that the OEM
license
ties it permanently to the first computer it's installed on; it may
never be
installed on another, not even if the original computer dies.

 

[Ken Blake]

It was 120 days when WinXP was first released; I don't know if it's ever
been changed. (I don't think so, but have never looked, either.)

Thanks, Bruce (and Peter). Then I simply remembered incorrectly. My
apologies.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Thanks, Bruce (and Peter). Then I simply remembered incorrectly.

You're welcome. And it was a long time ago, in technology terms, anyway.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot