Retail Windows XP Activation Limit

[Guest]

It's been so long since I bought my 2 copies of Win XP Pro from CompUSA
that
I can't remember where it said on the box or included docs that I had only
so many
activations allowed before having to call some guy in India to get my system
up.
It has nothing to do with Hardware/Software changes. I can install XP
on my
machine, call the Indian, he gives me the magic numbers and I'm flying. I
can then
immediately stick the laser embossed Microsoft CD in the drive, do an upgrade
install and I'm calling that charming fellow at (716) 297-XXXX, which by the
way
is a western New York number, he's in India.
I should mention that I'm at the point now where I cannot LOGON after
an install
without Activation. I did see on the Microsoft website that they have a
solution to
my problem: FOR $150.00 I CAN BY A NEW INSTALL KEY, this will keep me going
until I hit that unknown install limit.
Has anyone called MS installation support and asked for a new disk in
exchange
for an old one?

 

[Bruce Chambers]

It's been so long since I bought my 2 copies of Win XP Pro from CompUSA
that
I can't remember where it said on the box or included docs that I had only
so many
activations allowed before having to call some guy in India to get my system
up.

That may be because it said no such thing on the boxes.

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. Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an evaluation
license) ever expire. 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

It has nothing to do with Hardware/Software changes. I can install XP
on my
machine, call the Indian, he gives me the magic numbers and I'm flying. I
can then
immediately stick the laser embossed Microsoft CD in the drive, do an upgrade
install and I'm calling that charming fellow at (716) 297-XXXX, which by the
way
is a western New York number, he's in India.
I should mention that I'm at the point now where I cannot LOGON after
an install
without Activation. I did see on the Microsoft website that they have a
solution to
my problem: FOR $150.00 I CAN BY A NEW INSTALL KEY, this will keep me going
until I hit that unknown install limit.
Has anyone called MS installation support and asked for a new disk in
exchange
for an old one?

Some misinformed people might have made such a call, but it would have
been an exercise in futility, as there never has been, is not now, nor
probably ever will be, a need to make such a call.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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. -Bertrum Russell