Windows XP home COA

[Guest]

Hello, I bought a few XP Home COA licenses without the cd and they were
extras or surplus pulls from Dell, and Toshiba, they were not registered
though. I activated them later but did not register them.

My question is can I change parts as the motherboard and still use this
license ?

I was told I cannot, such as if the system dies so does the licence. Well my
thought to that was you can always upgrade if you want so your computer can
never die ?
I was told to buy a license that comes with the cd so you can upgrade your
system case and continue to use your licence.

when activating these licenses after a reformat I could always do it online.
Now it makes me call ? Is it because I never registered just activate them or
does it have something to do with the type of licence or a change in their
system ? I know my friends do not have to call in to activate Windows but
they bought their license with the cd.

I would like to chang to a different brand MB but do not want to but a
another license ?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

"If you receive offers for COAs as stand-alone items, be aware that these offers are highly suspect and can put you at risk. To fall
victim to stand-alone COAs offers means that you may have wasted valuable money and you will not have a legal license to run the
software. The best way for you to protect yourself is to purchase software from a familiar, reputable reseller.

The Anti-Counterfeiting Act of 2003 makes it a criminal offense for dishonest resellers to distribute stand-alone COA labels."

Ref: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/en/coa.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hello, I bought a few XP Home COA licenses without the cd and they were
| extras or surplus pulls from Dell, and Toshiba, they were not registered
| though. I activated them later but did not register them.
|
| My question is can I change parts as the motherboard and still use this
| license ?
|
| I was told I cannot, such as if the system dies so does the licence. Well my
| thought to that was you can always upgrade if you want so your computer can
| never die ?
| I was told to buy a license that comes with the cd so you can upgrade your
| system case and continue to use your licence.
|
| when activating these licenses after a reformat I could always do it online.
| Now it makes me call ? Is it because I never registered just activate them or
| does it have something to do with the type of licence or a change in their
| system ? I know my friends do not have to call in to activate Windows but
| they bought their license with the cd.
|
| I would like to chang to a different brand MB but do not want to but a
| another license ?
|
|
| --
|
| orchirdchild

 

[Guest]

I did buy these licenses from reputable buyers and I know they are
authentic. I want to know more on if it is okay to swap out the Motherboard
to a different brand or does thst require a new licence ?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

OEM licenses are forever tied to the first computer
it is installed and activated on. Therefore, you cannot
upgrade the motherboard. Only a "Retail Version" of
Windows XP permits a motherboard change.

Also, how can a seller be reputable if they are
clearly violating the law by selling standalone
COAs? What you have, like it or not, are illegal
licenses, likely stolen from the computers they
were shipped with.

Protect yourself from software piracy:
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/default.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| I did buy these licenses from reputable buyers and I know they are
| authentic. I want to know more on if it is okay to swap out the Motherboard
| to a different brand or does thst require a new licence ?
| --
| orchirdchild
|
|
| "steve" wrote:
|
| > Hello, I bought a few XP Home COA licenses without the cd and they were
| > extras or surplus pulls from Dell, and Toshiba, they were not registered
| > though. I activated them later but did not register them.
| >
| > My question is can I change parts as the motherboard and still use this
| > license ?
| >
| > I was told I cannot, such as if the system dies so does the licence. Well my
| > thought to that was you can always upgrade if you want so your computer can
| > never die ?
| > I was told to buy a license that comes with the cd so you can upgrade your
| > system case and continue to use your licence.
| >
| > when activating these licenses after a reformat I could always do it online.
| > Now it makes me call ? Is it because I never registered just activate them or
| > does it have something to do with the type of licence or a change in their
| > system ? I know my friends do not have to call in to activate Windows but
| > they bought their license with the cd.
| >
| > I would like to chang to a different brand MB but do not want to but a
| > another license ?
| >
| >
| > --
| >
| > orchirdchild

 

[Gordon]

OEM licenses are forever tied to the first computer
it is installed and activated on. Therefore, you cannot
upgrade the motherboard. Only a "Retail Version" of
Windows XP permits a motherboard change.

Oh dear here we go AGAIN. Carey you know DAM well that IF the OEM declares
that a change of motherboard does NOT constitute a new computer, then the OP
is at perfect liberty to upgrade it.

 

[Guest]

If these standalone COAs were taken off or stolen from computers wouldn't we
have a problem if were both were activating them. I know they would not allow
2 computers to be online with the same Licenses. From what I was told these
are extra licenses not used nor was a CD required since the mfg such as HP
lets say uses a special recovery disk. They do not need the XP Home CD. They
apply a license coa sticker to each computer since it will be needed upon a
reinstall. When their done they may have Extra or surplus COAs. At one time
their were a lot of stores selling them.

These COA stickers were not already peeled of since I have them nor were
they registered since I would not have been able to register them.
When I activated them by phone I told them what I bought and their was not
a problem.

Well next time I will buy no more coa stickers !! Though I think Microsoft
put a stop to this it already.
I still have all my receipts but I do not think a store would take these
back after I activated them.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Eventually, the original owner of the PCs will discover the missing
COAs and file a report with Microsoft. When Microsoft confirms
they are stolen, you'll be unable to activate in the future and
Windows Genuine Advantage will alert you that:

"You may be a victim of software counterfeiting.
This copy of Windows is not genuine....."

Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474/


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"steve" wrote:

| If these standalone COAs were taken off or stolen from computers wouldn't we
| have a problem if were both were activating them. I know they would not allow
| 2 computers to be online with the same Licenses. From what I was told these
| are extra licenses not used nor was a CD required since the mfg such as HP
| lets say uses a special recovery disk. They do not need the XP Home CD. They
| apply a license coa sticker to each computer since it will be needed upon a
| reinstall. When their done they may have Extra or surplus COAs. At one time
| their were a lot of stores selling them.
|
| These COA stickers were not already peeled of since I have them nor were
| they registered since I would not have been able to register them.
| When I activated them by phone I told them what I bought and their was not
| a problem.
|
| Well next time I will buy no more coa stickers !! Though I think Microsoft
| put a stop to this it already.
| I still have all my receipts but I do not think a store would take these
| back after I activated them.
| --
| orchirdchild

 

[Guest]

Can MIcrosoft tell when you change Motherboard Brands brands ? So that you
Cannot activate XP home.

 

[Gordon]

Can MIcrosoft tell when you change Motherboard Brands brands ? So that you
Cannot activate XP home.

not as far as I know.

 

[Guest]

Gorden, you are saying it is possible to do a upgrade as to a new MB and it
is not considered a new computer ? Or try it and see if I can activate my
system. If it does not work I buy a new license.

By the way How do I find out if these licenses are retail ? Anyway by
looking at the numbers to a chart ? Or is it just knowing you bought it with
the CD.

orchirdchild

 

[Ghostrider]

Can MIcrosoft tell when you change Motherboard Brands brands ? So that you
Cannot activate XP home.

The possibility can exist since the major OEM's are given
blocks of COA serials. It may be possible to correlate them
to the hash count from the computer system and a comparison
can be made to systems sold by the OEM. And these COA's were
supposed to be for Dells and Toshibas?

 

[Guest]

When I buy another OS system such as XP Home do I have to buy retail to be
able to do upgrades such as the MB, or can I buy oem with the CD and COA
sticker ? Does anybody know what a This is Gateway CD Will Work for Any
System (XP HOME) http://anysoftwares.com/default.aspx?Page=34&104=2588

 

[kurttrail]

Can MIcrosoft tell when you change Motherboard Brands brands ? So
that you Cannot activate XP home.

Not unless YOU tell them.

And quite frankly it is NONE of their business to know what hardware
you've upgraded.

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."

 

[kurttrail]

The possibility can exist since the major OEM's are given
blocks of COA serials. It may be possible to correlate them
to the hash count from the computer system and a comparison
can be made to systems sold by the OEM. And these COA's were
supposed to be for Dells and Toshibas?

"Microsoft Product Activation detects the hardware configuration on
which the product is being installed and creates hash values for that
configuration. A hash is a value mathematically derived from another
value - in this case hardware configuration values. 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. Microsoft uses hash values out of respect for users'
privacy. *A* *hash* *value* *cannot* *be* *backwards* *calculated* to
determine the original value. In addition, Microsoft only uses a portion
of the original hash values. Together, these hash values become the
complete hardware hash that is included in the installation ID." -
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx [Emphasis is mine]

Of course MS could be lying, as they have many times in the past.

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."

 

[kurttrail]

Eventually, the original owner of the PCs will discover the missing
COAs and file a report with Microsoft. When Microsoft confirms
they are stolen, you'll be unable to activate in the future and
Windows Genuine Advantage will alert you that:

"You may be a victim of software counterfeiting.
This copy of Windows is not genuine....."

Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474/

LOL! No everyone is as stupid as you to install MicroSpyware!

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."

 

[Ghostrider]

Ghostrider wrote:

steve wrote:



The possibility can exist since the major OEM's are given
blocks of COA serials. It may be possible to correlate them
to the hash count from the computer system and a comparison
can be made to systems sold by the OEM. And these COA's were
supposed to be for Dells and Toshibas?

"Microsoft Product Activation detects the hardware configuration on
which the product is being installed and creates hash values for that
configuration. A hash is a value mathematically derived from another
value - in this case hardware configuration values. 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. Microsoft uses hash values out of respect for users'
privacy. *A* *hash* *value* *cannot* *be* *backwards* *calculated* to
determine the original value. In addition, Microsoft only uses a portion
of the original hash values. Together, these hash values become the
complete hardware hash that is included in the installation ID." -
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx [Emphasis is mine]

Of course MS could be lying, as they have many times in the past.

Hi Kurttrail, welcome back!

I would like to believe this but the statistician in me says
otherwise. The troublesome part is that Microsoft knows just
how the hash count is assembled and the calculation algorithm
that is used to achieve it. This is enough to make some valued
determinations as to hardware configuration, manufacture, etc.,
more so when certain OEM's insert ID's into their firmware. And
almost all hardware today has an ID packet inserted somewhere in
it that can be used to generate the hash count. This technique was
first reported and discussed ad nauseum during the days of Intel's
PSN debacle and one of the supposed purpose of PSN was to provide
the encryption/decryption key.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hello, I bought a few XP Home COA licenses without the cd and they were
extras or surplus pulls from Dell, and Toshiba, they were not registered
though. I activated them later but did not register them.

My question is can I change parts as the motherboard and still use this
license ?

I was told I cannot, such as if the system dies so does the licence. Well my
thought to that was you can always upgrade if you want so your computer can
never die ?
I was told to buy a license that comes with the cd so you can upgrade your
system case and continue to use your licence.

when activating these licenses after a reformat I could always do it online.
Now it makes me call ? Is it because I never registered just activate them or
does it have something to do with the type of licence or a change in their
system ? I know my friends do not have to call in to activate Windows but
they bought their license with the cd.

I would like to chang to a different brand MB but do not want to but a
another license ?

It's a moot point. If you also didn't get the Dell and Toshiba
computers to which those CoAs are permanently bound, then you didn't get
any legitimate licenses. Period. Ask for you money back, cancel any
credit card numbers that you've given those thieves, and contact your
local law enforcement agencies.



--

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I did buy these licenses from reputable buyers and I know they are
authentic. I want to know more on if it is okay to swap out the Motherboard
to a different brand or does thst require a new licence ?

How could you possibly call someone who sells you clearly pirated
licenses "reputable?"


--

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

If these standalone COAs were taken off or stolen from computers wouldn't we
have a problem if were both were activating them.

Not if it's been more than 120 days since they were last activated; the
database gets flushed that often.

I know they would not allow
2 computers to be online with the same Licenses.

Where'd you get that silly idea? It shouldn't happen, but there's no
real way it can be prevented.

From what I was told these
are extra licenses not used nor was a CD required since the mfg such as HP
lets say uses a special recovery disk. They do not need the XP Home CD. They
apply a license coa sticker to each computer since it will be needed upon a
reinstall. When their done they may have Extra or surplus COAs. At one time
their were a lot of stores selling them.

It doesn't matter if the sellers removed the OS from the computers;
thoise licenses are still permanently bound to the original PCs. OEM
licenses, once installed - as these were, at the factory - are not
legitimately transferable. You've been defrauded.






--

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

 

[kurttrail]

Ghostrider wrote:

steve wrote:


Can MIcrosoft tell when you change Motherboard Brands brands ? So
that you Cannot activate XP home.

The possibility can exist since the major OEM's are given
blocks of COA serials. It may be possible to correlate them
to the hash count from the computer system and a comparison
can be made to systems sold by the OEM. And these COA's were
supposed to be for Dells and Toshibas?

"Microsoft Product Activation detects the hardware configuration on
which the product is being installed and creates hash values for that
configuration. A hash is a value mathematically derived from another
value - in this case hardware configuration values. 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. Microsoft uses hash values out of
respect for users' privacy. *A* *hash* *value* *cannot* *be*
*backwards* *calculated* to determine the original value. In
addition, Microsoft only uses a portion of the original hash values.
Together, these hash values become the complete hardware hash that
is included in the installation ID." -
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx [Emphasis is
mine] Of course MS could be lying, as they have many times in the
past.

Hi Kurttrail, welcome back!

I would like to believe this but the statistician in me says
otherwise. The troublesome part is that Microsoft knows just
how the hash count is assembled and the calculation algorithm
that is used to achieve it. This is enough to make some valued
determinations as to hardware configuration, manufacture, etc.,
more so when certain OEM's insert ID's into their firmware. And
almost all hardware today has an ID packet inserted somewhere in
it that can be used to generate the hash count. This technique was
first reported and discussed ad nauseum during the days of Intel's
PSN debacle and one of the supposed purpose of PSN was to provide
the encryption/decryption key.

Actually PA doesn't send the entire hardware hash, only a snapshot of
it, so it isn't likely that they can.

However, with WGA, MS can figure out you changed you motherboard.

From http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx:

Q: What information is collected from my computer?

A: The genuine validation process will collect information about your
system to determine if your Microsoft software is genuine. This process
does not collect or send any information that can be used to identify
you or contact you. The information collected in the validation process
includes:

Windows product key
PC manufacturer
Operating System version
Windows XP product ID
PC BIOS information (make, version, date)
BIOS MD5 Checksum
User locale setting
Language version of the operating system
Office product key (if validating Office)
Hard drive serial number
Validation and installation results
IP address

WGA is the real bugger, but it can't lock you out of your computer, like
PA . . . . YET.

--
Peace!
Kurt Kirsch
Self-anointed Moderator
http://microscum.com
"It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."