Windows XP Activation.

[Trevor Marsh]

Hi,

Over the last 6 or 7 weeks I have been upgrading my PC, with parts being
replaced as, and when, I could afford them. This has resulted in WinXP
having to be re-activated more than it likes and the last time I
re-installed I received the message "This activation key has been used too
many times" (or something similar) and had to use the telephone to get a new
activation key.

My question is this; Am I going to have to use the telephone from now
on? I have used Google to search for an answer and read various things
concerning a time period after which you can use your original key again,
varying from 60 days to 120 and pretty much all points in between.

I realise that MS introduced Product Activation in an attempt to reduce
piracy of their OS's, however, after spending £90.00 on WinXP Home I feel
that if I can no longer use my original product key and will have to phone
everytime I re-install my OS that I am being "punished" for being honest and
not using a pirate version. The "phoning to activate" isn't a big problem
as such but being asked by an MS worker "why have you re-installed so many
times in the last few weeks" is, to me, an invasion of privacy. I shouldn't
have to justify to anybody the reasons for re-installing my OS. An OS that
I have paid for, ( or the license anyway) and is only used on 1 PC at any
time, although the hardware in that PC does change on a fairly regular
basis.

Until now XP's product activation hasn't bothered me too much, but now
it has become intrusive if I can no longer use my original activation key
and receive a "quizzing" when I have to activate by telephone.

TIA,
Trev

 

[MaryL]

Hi,

Over the last 6 or 7 weeks I have been upgrading my PC, with parts being
replaced as, and when, I could afford them. This has resulted in WinXP
having to be re-activated more than it likes and the last time I
re-installed I received the message "This activation key has been used too
many times" (or something similar) and had to use the telephone to get a new
activation key.

My question is this; Am I going to have to use the telephone from now
on?

I realise that MS introduced Product Activation in an attempt to reduce
piracy of their OS's, however, after spending £90.00 on WinXP Home I feel
that if I can no longer use my original product key and will have to phone
everytime I re-install my OS that I am being "punished" for being honest and
not using a pirate version.

Until now XP's product activation hasn't bothered me too much, but now
it has become intrusive if I can no longer use my original activation key
and receive a "quizzing" when I have to activate by telephone.

TIA,
Trev

My understanding is that XP will interpret the addition of certain pieces of
hardware as being a "new" computer. At that time (as you have already
discovered), you will have to activate by telephone. If you continue to add
more hardware (certainly your right), you may continue to run into this
problem. I don't like it, either, but I also don't know of any way around
it.

MaryL

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

There's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall and
activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. 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


Bruce Chambers

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