What is the rule on Activation?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gary
  • Start date Start date
G

Gary

I am always adding and removing new harware. The last time I removed one
the my memory sticks that I was testing, I had to call the 800 number.
Do I have to do that all the time now?

Gary
 
Gary said:
I am always adding and removing new harware. The last time I removed
one the my memory sticks that I was testing, I had to call the 800
number. Do I have to do that all the time now?

Gary
Click to expand...

Since Activation doesn't always work the way it is supposed to, the
answer to your question is "maybe."

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
 
I am always adding and removing new harware. The last time I removed one
the my memory sticks that I was testing, I had to call the 800 number.
Do I have to do that all the time now?

Gary
Click to expand...

Yes if you continue to use that toy operating system. Move on to a real
operating system like Linux and escape from the marketing clutches of
MickeyMouse.
 
NoStop said:
Yes if you continue to use that toy operating system. Move on to a real
operating system like Linux and escape from the marketing clutches of
MickeyMouse.
Click to expand...

What is the OP already has a full time career?
 
Eric said:
Read this page: http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/ProductActivation.htm.

A stick of RAM should carry enough 'votes' to make reactivation necessary,
but if you change the motherboard, you'll almost certainly have to reactivate.
Click to expand...

The following statement on your web page is incorrect:

"When Windows XP starts up, it simply checks that it is installed on
the same computer it was installed on the last time it made the
check."

The comparison is with the hardware components that were found the
last time Windows was activated, not the last time Windows did the
startup check.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
 
I am always adding and removing new harware. The last time I removed one
the my memory sticks that I was testing, I had to call the 800 number.
Do I have to do that all the time now?

Gary
Click to expand...

For OEM versions of XP, yes! Internet activations have been turned off
because of a vast number of "branded" OEM CDs were being sold separate from
the required qualifying hardware.

For Retail versions, it is supposed to allow on-line Internet activations
every 120 days (not sure of this since I have re-did my Retail XP yet!)
 
What is the OP already has a full time career?
Click to expand...

Well with Linux he'll be free to devote more time to his career rather than
constantly downloading anti-virus updates, adware updates, spyware updates,
defragging his See Drive, cleaning his registry and washing his RAM.
 
NoStop said:
Yes if you continue to use that toy operating system. Move on to a real
operating system like Linux and escape from the marketing clutches of
MickeyMouse.
Click to expand...

I've tried to like Linux, but from what I can tell, KDE actually runs
SLOWER then Windows, on identical systems. And while you can do
interesting geek stuff, like load linux on an iMac, or perhaps even on
an iPod, and then use WINE to run Windows software (evil!). Linux isn't
really ready for prime time for the average user. It's better than it
was a few years ago, but then again, so is Windows.
 
I'm sorry to raise this but I have read so much about this and I still don't know what is and is not allowed.
I was thinking of buying an oem of XP PRO from ebay and one seller of his product stated that a DELL or HP oem would definately NOT work. This contradicts, what I know to be the case from a friend who bought a DELL oem version.
Leaving aside the argument as to whether a change of MB automatically revokes (or not) the licence for oem versions: can someone explain why for example that DELL is any different from an un-named oem.
If we assume for the sake of argument that replacement MBs are allowed, it would seem that a replacement for DELL would be the same as for others if what I append is true.
From one of the apparently knowledgeable articles I have read there is a categorical statement that:

"""""
Product Activation does not scan the customer's hard drive, detect any personal information, or determine the make, model or manufacturer of the PC or its components.
"""""
If this is so, surely it is sufficient to say a replacement MB is a DELL MB.
I am not trying to resurrect old arguments. I would just like to know the grounds for rejection, unless it is that MB changes are not allowed under any circumstance which seems to be the view of at least one contributor to this NG.
Observations, or info based on actual experience would be most welcome.
Thanks.
 
TonyK said:
I'm sorry to raise this but I have read so much about this and I still don't know what is and is not allowed.
I was thinking of buying an oem of XP PRO from ebay and one seller of his product stated that a DELL or HP oem would definately NOT work. This contradicts, what I know to be the case from a friend who bought a DELL oem version.
Leaving aside the argument as to whether a change of MB automatically revokes (or not) the licence for oem versions: can someone explain why for example that DELL is any different from an un-named oem.
If we assume for the sake of argument that replacement MBs are allowed, it would seem that a replacement for DELL would be the same as for others if what I append is true.
From one of the apparently knowledgeable articles I have read there is a categorical statement that:

"""""
Product Activation does not scan the customer's hard drive, detect any personal information, or determine the make, model or manufacturer of the PC or its components.
"""""
If this is so, surely it is sufficient to say a replacement MB is a DELL MB.
I am not trying to resurrect old arguments. I would just like to know the grounds for rejection, unless it is that MB changes are not allowed under any circumstance which seems to be the view of at least one contributor to this NG.
Observations, or info based on actual experience would be most welcome.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

The first two parts of your quoted statement are correct but the third
(determine make, model, manufacturer) is no longer correct. It used
to be, but then Microsoft developed the SLP (BIOS Lock) procedure for
use with OEM versions which does look at the computer's BIOS to
determine the name of the computer manufacturer/assembler.

The BIOS Locked OEM versions are self-activating provided the
motherboard BIOS is from the same manufacturer/assembler that produced
the CD. And for just over a year now these versions will no longer do
an Internet activation and telephone activation requests will be
declined.

Hope this explains the situation.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."
 
Ron said:
The first two parts of your quoted statement are correct but the third
(determine make, model, manufacturer) is no longer correct. It used
to be, but then Microsoft developed the SLP (BIOS Lock) procedure for
use with OEM versions which does look at the computer's BIOS to
determine the name of the computer manufacturer/assembler.

The BIOS Locked OEM versions are self-activating provided the
motherboard BIOS is from the same manufacturer/assembler that produced
the CD. And for just over a year now these versions will no longer do
an Internet activation and telephone activation requests will be
declined.

Hope this explains the situation.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
Click to expand...

I think it would be a bit clearer to state that in the event of
attempting to use such a branded-OEM release on a system whose BIOS is
not from that specific brand OEM these versions will no longer do
an Internet activation and telephone activation requests will be
declined.

Steve N.
 
Steve said:
I think it would be a bit clearer to state that in the event of
attempting to use such a branded-OEM release on a system whose BIOS is
not from that specific brand OEM these versions will no longer do
an Internet activation and telephone activation requests will be
declined.
Click to expand...

Never been declined when I've tried it.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity/index.php?showtopic=3
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
 
kurttrail said:
Never been declined when I've tried it.
Click to expand...

There is so much stated about what MS will and will not allow.
FACT: This is in UK. Around last July my mate bought a XP PRO DELL OEM CD
(SP1) in ebay with Product Key but no COA.
He installed in his existing (non-DELL) computer, made the usual phone call
(no mention of DELL), provided the Product Key No. and was given another
number by the MS person. He followed instructions with no problems, promptly
installed SP2 and has been OK for all this time. He has been asked to verify
(twice I think) and he apparently just says he bought the product. There has
NEVER been any mention of DELL and I'm bound to say that he is confident
there will never be a problem. This guy I would describe as reasonably
knowledgeabe about computers but not in the same class as most of the
contributors to this NG.
So far as he is concerned I would not encounter any problem if I went ahead
and bought a DELL OEM CD provided there was a valid Product Key.
This seems to bear out what Kurt especially is propounding and contradicts
Carey's oft-stated views.
QUESTION: Am I safe to buy a DELL OEM so long as the Product Key is valid?
Also, if my mate changed the MB but kept to the same brand, would ANY
question be asked by MS?
Thanks
 
TonyK said:
There is so much stated about what MS will and will not allow.
FACT: This is in UK. Around last July my mate bought a XP PRO DELL OEM CD
(SP1) in ebay with Product Key but no COA.
He installed in his existing (non-DELL) computer, made the usual phone call
(no mention of DELL), provided the Product Key No. and was given another
number by the MS person. He followed instructions with no problems, promptly
installed SP2 and has been OK for all this time. He has been asked to verify
(twice I think) and he apparently just says he bought the product. There has
NEVER been any mention of DELL and I'm bound to say that he is confident
there will never be a problem. This guy I would describe as reasonably
knowledgeabe about computers but not in the same class as most of the
contributors to this NG.
So far as he is concerned I would not encounter any problem if I went ahead
and bought a DELL OEM CD provided there was a valid Product Key.
This seems to bear out what Kurt especially is propounding and contradicts
Carey's oft-stated views.
QUESTION: Am I safe to buy a DELL OEM so long as the Product Key is valid?
Also, if my mate changed the MB but kept to the same brand, would ANY
question be asked by MS?
Thanks
Click to expand...

Dell used to ship generic OEMs that weren't bound to the MB. That's
probably what your mate, luckily, received.

Alias
 
QUESTION: Am I safe to buy a DELL OEM so long as the Product Key is valid?

ANSWER: Only if it is to installed on a Dell computer.
 
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