Windows XP Issue (Activation) II

[kurttrail]

Still resorting to name-calling when you've nothing else to offer, I
see.
The OP has already rendered the computer unusable, and we've no way of
knowing if the BIOS flash was even necessary, in the first place.
Based on this thread, I've very little confidence in the OP's
technical ability.

And you are still a total douchbag, Bruce.

The computer HAS NOT been rendered unusable. It works now, but it
didn't work before, so while we don't know if the BIOS Flash was
absolutely necessary, it worked in getting the OP's mom a usable
computer, period. And based on all your reposnses to PA questions, I
have absolutely no confidence in your ability to comprehend what you
read.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Bruce Chambers]

It works now, Brucey, but was unusable before he fixed the BIOS problem.

And just where, in the original post, did the OP say that the machine
was unusable _before_ the BIOS flash? He didn't. But he did say that
the BIOS flash had rendered the machine unusable by initiating the WPA.

Deal with the reality of the situation.

I'm not the one with the well-known unfamiliarity with reality.
Remember, the OP didn't ask for technical advice, he wanted information
on his legal situation.



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[kurttrail]

No, not "any" OS installation CD. Product Keys are bound to the
specific type and language of CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full,
or Upgrade) with which they are purchased. For example, a WinXP Home
OEM Product Key won't work for any retail version of WinXP Home, or
for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa. An upgrade's Product
Key cannot be used with a full version CD, and vice versa. An OEM
Product Key will not work to install a retail product. An Italian
Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom line: Product
Keys and CD types cannot be mixed & matched.

It _might_ be possible for the OP to use a generic OEM CD and the
eMachines Product Key, but there's no 100% certainty that it the two
would work together.

And that is valid information, based on reality. But I have been told
in the past, by an MS employee, that an OEM Key is will work with a
generic OEM copy of XP. MS does not make OEM Keys that are specific to
any OEM, so while there is no 100% certainty that anything made by MS
will work, there is a very high probability that the Emachices PK will
work with any generic OEM copy of XP.

But this is all off-topic to this thread, as the OP seems only to have a
retail copy of XP.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[daygo140]

KURTTRAIL

send me an email to (e-mail address removed)

 

[Leythos]

The PSU went. Capacitor blew and due to unstable voltages produced while it
was failing, took out the integrated video card. The PC then wouldn't boot
only but once every twenty or so tries. I tried everything, finally I used
a cheapo test video card and it booted successfully. Bought a new the video
card particularlly one which when installed the system couldn't boot.
Ironically there was a BIOS update on the mobo manufacturers web site that
specifically "fixed system can't boot with that video card installed" among
other things which were beneficial. Among the fact that eMachines doesn't
provide any BIOS let alone the latest one that the mobo manufacturer had to
fix the issue.

You satisfied?

Yes, and thanks for telling us about it. I understand it as follows -
installed a new video card and it worked, bought mom a different video
card and it didn't work. Found a BIOS from the component vendor that
addressed the issue and installed it. Wondered by the Branded-XP install
didn't work with a non-branded BIOS. Asked about the installation of a
second copy of another XP (already installed with an already activated
key) to see if it would cause any problems or if you would get in trouble
some way.

So, here is what I think:

1) I would have found another video card or left the "Cheap" on in the
machine - the one you said worked.

2) Like it or not, the EULA is clear on this - your install on her machine
with your key is in violation.

3) No one here can tell if if MS will invalidate the install, if they will
stop supporting updates for violators, or if there may be any other
problems ever.

4) Due to #3 above, nothing anyone tells you, other than you need to get
her a valid key, means anything. Sure, you can keep bootlegging a twice
activated key and hope that there are no problems, but you will not know
until you stop using XP if you are going to run into a problem later.

5) Unless your Mom is doing some high-end work, even a PCI video card
would meet her needs (and with an e-machine I would doubt that she's doing
much in the way of high-end work), put the old cheap card back in and
return the BIOS to it's old version (since it was stable with the cheap
card) and give her the validated install back like it's suppose to be.

Here's another option for you - unless she's running QuickBooks she could
just use Fedora Core 3 and have everything most users need - except for
the MS viruses and MS threats.

I expect nothing less than getting questions and having to get analyzed on
every little thing I just wrote. I have nothing to prove. My Mom is now
happy along with me too.

But I didn't feel like explaining something I had the fixed. Yes I could
maybe could of done this or that, which I probably tried, I spend a ton of
time on this PC before I realized it was the integrated vid card, instead of
doing what a lot of techs (even good ones) would of done, toss the mobo.

And if you had just left the cheap video card in it- according to what you
posted - she could have had a working computer without all of this crap.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Really? What was incorrect?

Perhaps a better word would have been "complete." You addressed only
the technical aspect of the OP's questions, but disregarded his legal
concerns, which seemed to be to be the main thrust of his questions.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Leythos]

Or you could just leave what ain't broken now alone, and go on your
merry way, with the knowledge that some MicroGeeks think you are wrong
for just helping your mother get her broken computer working for her.

Wrong has nothing to do with it - he wanted specific answers to legality
questions - they were answered clearly by some, with FUD from others, and
speculation by more.

The simple fact is that what he did violates the EULA, that there is no
guarantee that anything from MS will be provided to any violators, which
is complete fact.

I have, as a matter of fact, seen invalidated systems, not accept service
pack updates for XP - I would assume that he will run into this same issue
in the future.

 

[daygo140]

You are completely right I didn't put that anything happened that caused me
to update the BIOS. That was irrelevant. But in fact something did happen.
But that wasn't what I was concerned about since I fixed it. I just wanted
legal things cleared up. Which somewhere you guys got off that scope and
concentrated on the BIOS issue.

I did post the "secret information" as a poster requested since it may help
someone out. I AM ALL FOR THAT!!

HERE IT IS AGAIN:

The PSU went. Capacitor blew and due to unstable voltages produced while it
was failing, took out the integrated video card. The PC then wouldn't boot
only but once every twenty or so tries. I tried everything, finally I used
a cheapo test video card and it booted successfully. Bought a new the video
card particularlly one which when installed the system couldn't boot.
Ironically there was a BIOS update on the mobo manufacturers web site that
specifically "fixed system can't boot with that video card installed" among
other things which were beneficial. Among the fact that eMachines doesn't
provide any BIOS let alone the latest one that the mobo manufacturer had to
fix the issue.

 

[kurttrail]

The PSU went. Capacitor blew and due to unstable voltages produced
while it was failing, took out the integrated video card. The PC
then wouldn't boot only but once every twenty or so tries. I tried
everything, finally I used a cheapo test video card and it booted
successfully. Bought a new the video card particularlly one which
when installed the system couldn't boot. Ironically there was a BIOS
update on the mobo manufacturers web site that specifically "fixed
system can't boot with that video card installed" among other things
which were beneficial. Among the fact that eMachines doesn't provide
any BIOS let alone the latest one that the mobo manufacturer had to
fix the issue.
You satisfied?

I expect nothing less than getting questions and having to get
analyzed on every little thing I just wrote. I have nothing to
prove. My Mom is now happy along with me too.

But I didn't feel like explaining something I had the fixed. Yes I
could maybe could of done this or that, which I probably tried, I
spend a ton of time on this PC before I realized it was the
integrated vid card, instead of doing what a lot of techs (even good
ones) would of done, toss the mobo.
All I wanted was answers to questions I DIDN'T HAVE. Somehow most of
you got all off the scope of the post.

Anyway I had a fun time. Sorry if I pissed people off. But based on
the sentence above and the thread you can see why I was a little
bitter now.
Have a good day!

Thanks for all your time. All of your input was greatly appreciated.

I'll play Monday Morning Quarterback, for the MicroSluts. It's your
fault for getting a video card that didn't work with the orginal BIOS,
so go out buy another one that does, reinstall the original BIOS,
restore the eMachines supplied OS, and the MicroKissAsses will love you
again!

Or you could just leave what ain't broken now alone, and go on your
merry way, with the knowledge that some MicroGeeks think you are wrong
for just helping your mother get her broken computer working for her.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[daygo140]

FYI:

The OS was never touched until after the flash. The flash brought up
"activate windows" wouldn't let me sign on past the welcome screen, probably
due to "System
Locked Pre-installation" (SLP) which at boot, Windows XP compares the PC's
BIOS to the SLP information. If it matches, no activation is required, but
that wasn't the case, activation was required and the Product Key was
invalid. I called MS to activate it the automated lady said it was invalid
and patched me to a human. We tried several things, including reinputting
the Product Key on the tower no avail, contacted eMachines they couldn't do
nothing. So bottom line I attempted to use the Product Key on the tower with
the original installation of XP (OEM) that came with the PC when it was
purchased and it didn't work. So why should I waste my time and try to
reinstall it to have that happen again.

The only thing I could of done was reflash with original eMachines BIOS (if
you can find it) and use a different video card (I had the new one I put in
my mom's pc already laying around for my brother's system I was building).
I didn't have time, aside from it being 2am, to get another vid card my mom
own's a business and she needed the PC immediately.

 

[daygo140]

The test one was from another customer's PC.

So we would of been short a video card.

It doesn't matter. You aren't my consultant. Mind your own business and
keep your two cents to yourself unless it pertains to my question.

 

[Leythos]

The test one was from another customer's PC.

And how does that change the fact that you bought a card that didn't work
with the machine, found an unauthorized update, installed update,
invalidated your activation/licenses, and then decided to steal a copy for
your Mom?

A simple trip to the web could have got you another card in short time.

And don't give me that crap about her running a business on it - no-one
runs a business on an e-machine PC, they are the lowest end of the PC gene
pool and are only good for boat anchors mostly

So we would of been short a video card.

No, you would have had to purchase one to replace the broken one, instead
of putting your Mom at risk and making your job easier, not to mention
that her licenses is now invalid by your actions and not taking the time
to do the job properly.

It doesn't matter. You aren't my consultant. Mind your own business
and keep your two cents to yourself unless it pertains to my question.

Yea, if I were your consultant you would have have had these problems and
would still have a valid XP License on both computers.

All of MY comments were directly related to your questions and issues.

 

[kurttrail]

3) No one here can tell if if MS will invalidate the install, if they
will stop supporting updates for violators, or if there may be any
other problems ever.

And how is MS supposed to figure out that these already activated copies
of XP are installed on different computers? Miss Cleo?

You don't know how activation works. MS can't tell what hardware any
given copy of XP is installed on, and even if they could, after 120 days
after XP has been activated, MS purges that activation info from its PA
servers.

So what you can't tell is how MS is supposed to figure out that his copy
has been install on 2 computers.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Leythos]

And how is MS supposed to figure out that these already activated copies
of XP are installed on different computers? Miss Cleo?

You don't know how activation works. MS can't tell what hardware any
given copy of XP is installed on, and even if they could, after 120 days
after XP has been activated, MS purges that activation info from its PA
servers.

So what you can't tell is how MS is supposed to figure out that his copy
has been install on 2 computers.

And, as is shown by your post, you don't have a clue as to where MS will
take checking or authentication. I already know that MS does indeed track
keys, I've seen it first hand on our individual keys and on our Volume
License keys...

Now, what to tell me again how MS is not going to track him down ever, not
going to EVER deny him/mom anything - you might think, but you don't know
- big difference.

 

[Leythos]

He was asking if his copy on his computer be deactivated by MS, in a
real world situation.

And do you have a real answer or just more speculation? If you think you
have an answer then you need to be working with MS. Cleo.

 

[kurttrail]

And just where, in the original post, did the OP say that the machine
was unusable _before_ the BIOS flash?

Well, my Mom had a problem with her eMachines which needed it's BIOS to
be
flashed, I did so.

He didn't. But he did say that
the BIOS flash had rendered the machine unusable by initiating the
WPA.

And then he installed his copy on the machine, and now it works.

I'm not the one with the well-known unfamiliarity with reality.
Remember, the OP didn't ask for technical advice, he wanted
information on his legal situation.

Where did he ask for a legal opinion in the OP?

He was asking if his copy on his computer be deactivated by MS, in a
real world situation.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Alias]

Let me rephrase, MOBOs are cheaper than buying a new XP.
--
Alias

Use the Reply to Sender feature of your news reader program to email me.
Utiliza Responder al Remitente para mandarme un mail.


| Not the way I did it....
|
|
| | >
| > | > | Wrong RAINMAN, the PC wasn't working. Or else why would I try to mess
| > with
| > | it? My Mom didn't want any added features she don't need. It broke,
| > BAD!
| > | Basically by doing what I did I prevented my Mom from spending alot of
| > money
| > | on a MOBO aside from other damaged components that I couldn't do
| > anything
| > | else but replace.
| >
| > MOBOs are cheaper than XP
| >
| > Alias
| > |
| > |
| > | | > | > On Sun, 30 Jan 2005 12:55:08 -0500, kurttrail wrote:
| > | >
| > | >> And what good was valid license gonna do on a computer that
wouldn't
| > | >> run?
| > | >
| > | > Actually, the computer worked fine before - it was not shipped in a
| > broken
| > | > format. Sure, the user wanted to ADD features or something, but he's
| > not
| > | > telling anyone what he was trying to do that the BIOS update fixed.
| > | >
| > | > So, the computer was running fine, user wanted some new/updated
| > feature
| > | > that the machine did not support, user installed a non-vendor
provided
| > | > firmware update, user broke his mothers machine, user doesn't want
to
| > | > repair it, user installed illegal copy of XP, user wants to ensure
| > that
| > | > he didn't do something he may have problems with later (which is not
| > the
| > | > case)....
| > | >
| > | > Get over it - as you seem to be fond of saying.
| > | >
| > | > --
| > | > (e-mail address removed)
| > | > remove 999 in order to email me
| > | >
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
|
|

 

[daygo140]

Get the facts before you run your mouth,

She runs an advertising agency. Not like she is a software developer or
anything that would require anything more than what she has. These
decisions were driven by time restraints. It was 2 am no shop was open and
my Mom demanded that the PC be up in the morning to do things to be able to
meet her deadlines (don't want to piss off clients) let alone wait for some
vid card to be shipped and such. So that is what I had to do.

You can agree with it or not. I don't care. Damn should of just posted to
another forum.

 

[Alias]

| Alias wrote:
|
| >
| > Really? What was incorrect?
|
|
| Perhaps a better word would have been "complete."
| --
|
| Bruce Chambers

Isn't that what you're for?

 

[Al Smith]

My questions that need to be answered so I can get sleep at night:

1.) Will my or my Mom's PC render useless? (MS finding out and disabling it
via Windows Update or some other technique?)

2.) Will I go to jail or get a fine?

3.) My best friend bought a Dell and ran over his restoration disk with the
wheel of his chair, schmuck . Almost same scenario, he has the right/license
to run it but can't. Can I install my copy onto his PC without getting my PC
or my Mom's deactivated or rendered useless?

4.) Will I go to jail or get a fine if I also install it on my best friend's
PC?

I REALLY app

I believe that Bill Gates prefers to abduct those who violate
Product Activation in the dark of night, and take them to the
extensive dungeons he has beneath his mansion, where he tortures
them by forcing them to use Microsoft Bob.