Windows XP Re-Activation

[Guest]

I bought a Dell computer about 18 months ago. About 5 months ago lighting
struck nearby and my motherboard was dead. Since I could not wait for Dell to
send me a new motherboard, I went and bought a new one with the same chipset.
When I installed it, everything worked fine although I had to re-activate XP
(I ended up talking to someone (I can't remember if it was Microsoft or Dell)
who eventually helped me get it activated).

THe other day XP decided to continually reboot itself. THe only solution I
had was to re-install the OS since the repair function did not help. I was
not even able to enter in Safe mode. The problem I now have is that I cannot
re-activate XP. MS online re-activation says that I ahve the incorrect
product key (or something like that). Dell does not give me any option to get
software support. The MS telephone activation is now automated and gives me
the same error as the online version.

So, the question is: Since I basically have a Dell system with a new
motherboard, do I now need to buy a new version of XP? This sounds outrageous!
Help!

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Charlie;
Dell tied the licenser to the Dell motherboard.
Since the new motherboard is not a Dell, you may be forced to buy Windows XP
or a Dell motherboard.
The chipset is not enough.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Your Dell OEM license was only valid when installed on a
Dell PC with a Dell motherboard. Since you apparently
no longer have a Dell motherboard, your Dell OEM license
is no longer valid. You'll need to purchase a conventional
"Full Version" of Windows XP and proceed with a
"Repair Install".

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

:

| I bought a Dell computer about 18 months ago. About 5 months ago lighting
| struck nearby and my motherboard was dead. Since I could not wait for Dell to
| send me a new motherboard, I went and bought a new one with the same chipset.
| When I installed it, everything worked fine although I had to re-activate XP
| (I ended up talking to someone (I can't remember if it was Microsoft or Dell)
| who eventually helped me get it activated).
|
| THe other day XP decided to continually reboot itself. THe only solution I
| had was to re-install the OS since the repair function did not help. I was
| not even able to enter in Safe mode. The problem I now have is that I cannot
| re-activate XP. MS online re-activation says that I ahve the incorrect
| product key (or something like that). Dell does not give me any option to get
| software support. The MS telephone activation is now automated and gives me
| the same error as the online version.
|
| So, the question is: Since I basically have a Dell system with a new
| motherboard, do I now need to buy a new version of XP? This sounds outrageous!
| Help!

 

[Plato]

So, the question is: Since I basically have a Dell system with a new
motherboard, do I now need to buy a new version of XP? This sounds outrageous!

Well, the primary part of any pc is the motherboard. Essentially, you
dont have a Dell anymore. Consider yourself lucky however in the fact
that you were able to put in a standard mobo in the case.

 

[Gunilla]

Hi Charlie.

Am I blind or are you saying that you could activate the OS the first time
after switching the motherboard? It sounds odd what the other says that you
can't do it as the OS is tied to the original motherboard and therefore you
should not be able doing it. Now, how come you could do it the first time
but are refused the second time? Why not take the option to talk to a real
person when trying to activate over the phone, explain and see what happens.

I have just experienced the same thing in the Swedish NG where the OP got
the same answer as you about incorrect product key and it didn't matter how
much he tried using the on-line activation but finally he did choose to talk
to a human support person and just today I got the answer that all got well
and the OS is activated again.

Regards,

Gunilla.

 

[Alias]

Your Dell OEM license was only valid when installed on a
Dell PC with a Dell motherboard. Since you apparently
no longer have a Dell motherboard, your Dell OEM license
is no longer valid. You'll need to purchase a conventional
"Full Version" of Windows XP and proceed with a
"Repair Install".

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Or save some money and buy a generic OEM XP and do a repair install.

Alias

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Earlier this year, Microsoft as "disabled" all product activations over the
Internet for most "bundled" versions of XP. They did this because a lot of
the "bundled" XP install CDs were being sold over the Internet as a separate
product (without the qualifying PC). Dell falls in to this category. You
are out of luck, since Dell's motherboards are "different" than the
equivalent one you have purchased. Dell "seems" to place some "special" ID
in it (???) in order for their XP "bundles" to identify the motherboard as
original Dell one.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Activation policies have changed for the major OEMs.
What worked a year ago, does not always work now.

Some would buy a computer with OEM installed.
They would then take the CD and use the key to install on a second computer.
Since the installation process on the original computer was pre-activated,
there was no indicator of the second installation.
Microsoft closed that loophole.

 

[Guest]

I want to thank everyone for your responses.

I think I now understand what is going on. But, I am still outraged at the
situation. It seems to me that this is borderline fraud. I am extremely
synpathetic to the piracy situation and I think the MS should protect itself.
But it is doing so at the extreme expense of lawful customers. In my case I
had the need to replace a faulty component and because of it I now have to
buy new software. It does not make sense.

Does anyone else have a problem with this?

 

[Gunilla]

Okay Jupiter. I see clearly now how you mean and it does make sense in some
way but how bad for the poor one who thinks it is better with an OEM version
than with a retail version. Makes me be really certain to never buy any OEM
version, of any kind.

Thanks for explaining,

Gunilla.

Activation policies have changed for the major OEMs.
What worked a year ago, does not always work now.

Some would buy a computer with OEM installed.
They would then take the CD and use the key to install on a second
computer.
Since the installation process on the original computer was pre-activated,
there was no indicator of the second installation.
Microsoft closed that loophole.

<SNIPP>

 

[Alias]

There are two kinds of OEMs, the ones provided by Dell, HP, et al and
generic OEMs that you buy at a store. The only difference between a generic
OEM and retail is that a generic OEM will not upgrade from 98, Me or W2K and
a retail will. The other difference is that retail is much more expensive.

Alias

 

[Yves Leclerc]

The only true problem is the fact the software is OEM. Large OEM providers
(like Dell) only normally provides "system restore" disks. If the do
provide an oriiginally XP install CD, then you need to look at the fine
print. Microsoft states that they own the software are grants the end-user
the "rights" to us this software on ONE PC. The only difference is that the
OEM versions are to be supported by the company/person who assembled the PC.
Eventhough the OEM End User License Agreement (EULA) has not (yet) been
contested in a court of law, the OEM ELUA states that the software is tied
to the first PC (aka motherboard) it gets installed on. It is also stated
that the license is not transferrable, by itself, to another PC or someone
else, as long as the original PC is not also transferred with it.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

A replacement motherboard is only a problem with the major OEMs such as
Gateway, Dell HP etc.
The generic OEM often sold with a piece of hardware does not have this
problem.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Charlie;

You would have no problems if you bought the motherboard from Dell or even a
similar Dell motherboard from a 3rd party.
This is a potential problem and limitation of all OEMs.
That is one of the many reasons you paid less for your OEM than others
pay.for retail.

Communicate your frustrations to dell.
Microsoft gives many options to the OEM at varying costs for the different
options.
This option seems to be the lowest cost and the option you chose when you
chose Dell.
Dell chose the option it considered best for Dell customers.
Contact Dell when you buy another computer stating what you bought and why
it is not Dell.

 

[kurttrail]

I bought a Dell computer about 18 months ago. About 5 months ago
lighting struck nearby and my motherboard was dead. Since I could not
wait for Dell to send me a new motherboard, I went and bought a new
one with the same chipset. When I installed it, everything worked
fine although I had to re-activate XP (I ended up talking to someone
(I can't remember if it was Microsoft or Dell) who eventually helped
me get it activated).

THe other day XP decided to continually reboot itself. THe only
solution I had was to re-install the OS since the repair function did
not help. I was not even able to enter in Safe mode. The problem I
now have is that I cannot re-activate XP. MS online re-activation
says that I ahve the incorrect product key (or something like that).
Dell does not give me any option to get software support. The MS
telephone activation is now automated and gives me the same error as
the online version.

So, the question is: Since I basically have a Dell system with a new
motherboard, do I now need to buy a new version of XP? This sounds
outrageous! Help!

http://microscum.com/censored/200510181841/

--
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"

 

[plew]

Charlie;

You would have no problems if you bought the motherboard from Dell or even a
similar Dell motherboard from a 3rd party.
This is a potential problem and limitation of all OEMs.
That is one of the many reasons you paid less for your OEM than others
pay.for retail.

Communicate your frustrations to dell.
Microsoft gives many options to the OEM at varying costs for the different
options.
This option seems to be the lowest cost and the option you chose when you
chose Dell.
Dell chose the option it considered best for Dell customers.
Contact Dell when you buy another computer stating what you bought and why
it is not Dell.

The "oem" options is just a shell game by m$ to take more money from the
windows users.

Still, one should not have to re-activate when changing a motherboard;
changing an engine, battery or tires doesn't meean that it is not the same
vehicle & so requires being registered as a new vehicle with DMV.

The court system should be changed now to say that a person is guilty
until proven innocent like m$. hmmmm, that is probably a good way to
get out of jury duty.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Read a little on activation and you may understand how major a motherboard
is:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

OEM is another choice users have and it is a lot cheaper.
Since OEM costs less, Microsoft makes less with OEM, or would you rather
Microsoft not sell OEM and give buyers retail as the only option thus
increasing the cost of every OEM computer $100 more or less?
Choices are good for informed consumers.

A computer is not a vehicle.
But if you insist on comparing it that way, the motherboard is closer to the
vehicle chassis from a software point of view.
But even that leaves much to be desired making it a poor comparison.

Buyers need to spend more time informing themselves.
Additionally the sales people selling need to learn more about what they
sell.

It is not entirely Microsoft's fault.
Buyers and sales have a major part as well.

 

[-rwxrw-r--]

Buyers need to spend more time informing themselves.

And my posts here do just that - help to inform other computer users that
there is a viable alternative to Windoze.

Additionally the sales people selling need to learn more about what they
sell.

It is not entirely Microsoft's fault.
Buyers and sales have a major part as well.

Of course it is entirely MickeyMouse's fault. M$ has allowed unscrupulous
vendors like Dell to get away with this shit. Now users either have to
spend more money or are forced to only purchase hardware upgrades from
Dell. A very cozy arrangement for both the hardware vendors and
MickeyMouse. A win-win situation for the corporations and another fleecing
of the consumer.

The only way to escape the clutches of this grand conspiracy of vendors is
to look for an alternative operating system that gives one freedom to
control ones PC. The alternative in this case is GNU/Linux.

Not only is one getting a better operating system when one switches to
GNU/Linux, one is finally able to break from the shackles of corporate
control of your desktop - a truly liberating experience!

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The fact you believe "it is entirely MickeyMouse's fault" display your own
bias.
There is fault in many places, to place blame at only one place is to be
blind to the other factors.
There is plenty of freedom with Windows.
But like everything else, the consumers needs to educate themselves.
Sellers also need to work better to become informed.
Linux is not viable option to those unwilling to educate themselves.
Those who fall into the holes with Microsoft, will do the same with Linux or
any other OS.

Sometimes it amazes me those who complain about "cozy arrangement" and
"grand conspiracy" are often the same who want Microsoft to take more
control and give sellers and consumers fewer options.
Choices for the consumer is a good thing.

 

[Ron Martell]

Hi Charlie.

Am I blind or are you saying that you could activate the OS the first time
after switching the motherboard? It sounds odd what the other says that you
can't do it as the OS is tied to the original motherboard and therefore you
should not be able doing it. Now, how come you could do it the first time
but are refused the second time? Why not take the option to talk to a real
person when trying to activate over the phone, explain and see what happens.

I have just experienced the same thing in the Swedish NG where the OP got
the same answer as you about incorrect product key and it didn't matter how
much he tried using the on-line activation but finally he did choose to talk
to a human support person and just today I got the answer that all got well
and the OS is activated again.

Regards,

Gunilla.

Prior to 1 March 2005 the BIOS Locked OEM versions of Windows XP,
which are self-activating when installed on a computer with a
motherboard/BIOS from that specific manufacturer, would revert to
normal activation via the Internet when installed on a different
motherboard.

This was a loophole that allowed people to install the same copy of
Windows XP onto two computers - one on the proper OEM system which
self-activated and one on a different computer which activated
normally over the Internet.

Effective 1 March 2005 the online activation process was changed so
that the product keys used for BIOS Locked OEM versions will no longer
activate over the Internet, and telephone activation requests for
these versions will normally be refused.

Practically all of the larger manufacturer's and assemblers of
computers are using the BIOS Locked (SLP) OEM versions.

Hope this explains the situation.

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

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm