Vista Ultimate 64-bit requires activation after plugging in extra battery pack instead of DVD drive

[Robert Janik]

Hi,

I just removed DVD drive from ASUS R1E laptop and plugged in extra battery
pack and after I plugged in USB portable hard drive WD Passport Vista now
requires activation.
I use this system for about 1 year and I used it in exactly the same
configuration before. OS says that there was a hardware change and now I
need to activate OS within 3 days. The only difference from previous config
is that now I have connected receiver for US wireless Microsoft keyboard and
mouse and 4 port USB hub. I also changed power plan to conserve battery
power and at that moment Vista shown activation message in tray.

Is there a limitation how many USB devices in total can I plug in? I think I
may have used about 10 - 15 different devices including USB flash memory.
What can I do to revert the activation request? I don't have any other
product key, but the original one that came with the laptop.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi Robert,

Once initiated, you can't revert the activation request. Your existing key
is all you need, there is no need to obtain another one. A single change of
hardware wouldn't normally trigger this, but multiple changes add up and
can.

Theoretically, you can chain up to 127 USB devices, but you'd need to add
some powered terminals for that.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Robert Janik]

After plugging in DVD drive back in Vista reports that OS is activated,
however I don't know what would have happened if I left the system with
additional battery pack for 3 days. I guess after 3 days Vista would be
locked for good. It is quite annoying that I cannot plug in extra battery
pack instead of DVD drive on laptop. Perhaps software protection could be
changed somehow and Microsoft could provide patch.
The most annoying think is that I found this problem the evening before
leaving for airport.

Suggestion to anybody who travels with laptop with Vista installed:
Plug in all devices you will be using on the trip, disconnect power supply
and check the exact configuration you will be using on plane
(wi-fi/bluetooth off etc). Wait for a few days if activation request pops
up.

 

[Dusko Savatovic]

Can you try one thing at a time?
Turn off your PC. Just remove the DVD drive. Turn on your PC. Allow Vista
to boot. Is it still activated?
Then turn the laptop off again. Insert battery pack, turn on again.
Perhaps you'll be more lucky with less concurrent changes.

 

[Robert Janik]

Unfortunately Activation is required merely after removing DVD drive and
leaving slot empty. I shut down the computer, remove DVD drive and then
power up. Vista requires activation in 3 days.
This must definitely be a bug. Perhaps algorithm which evaluates license
against hardware configuration counts removal of DVD, floppy etc. as a
hardware change. On desktops we usually don't remove these, but on laptops
it is quite common to replace certain components momentarily or connect new
devices or docking station.
I was thinking about buying Sound card for Express slot, because integrated
audio does not allow mixing sounds (like recording what you hear from
multiple inputs). But now I don't know. It could be recognized by OS as
another hardware change.
At least if the expiration was 30 days instead of 3. What if somebody takes
laptop on a business trip and needs different configuration for presentation
to a customer? After 3 days he/she could end up with computer locked up
until coming back home and setting up original configuration.