XP Activation Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tim
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Tim

I know that you can use a retail copy, of WinXP, on more than one computer
just as long as you uninstall it from the first PC before
installing/reactivating on the next (after 120 days from the first PC
activation). But how does Microsoft know that you did, in fact, uninstall
it from the first PC? How do they prevent it from existing on both PCs
simultaneously? Just curious. TIA
 
Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) will monitor and record
if someone is violating the EULA.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

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

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

|I know that you can use a retail copy, of WinXP, on more than one computer
| just as long as you uninstall it from the first PC before
| installing/reactivating on the next (after 120 days from the first PC
| activation). But how does Microsoft know that you did, in fact, uninstall
| it from the first PC? How do they prevent it from existing on both PCs
| simultaneously? Just curious. TIA
|
|
 
Carey said:
Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) will monitor and record
if someone is violating the EULA.
Click to expand...

The activation system works if (a) Everyone, including those
who knowingly have illicit copies, activate according to the
grand plan; (b) All users, including those who use illegal
copies of Windows XP, are willing participants in WGA by
allowing their computers to return data to Microsoft (and,
by implication, must be able to ID the source of the data);
since, except for 7 numbers in the generated PID that can
unequivocally identify a fake version of Windows XP (or any
other Microsoft product), (c) There exists a known number of
repetitions of the essential, remaining 5 numerals in the
PID that are linked to all PK's in use, of which there is
only a 120-day supply (and the reason behind why activation
serials only last 120 days before.) Of the 20-character PID,
only 5 are random; another 8 is booked and used by Microsoft,
and 7 numbers are used to protect the PID itself.

In reality, Microsoft should have forced discrete, arbitrary
serial numbers to be used to insure perfect compliance and
not the flawed mathematical modeling technique for activation
and WGA. Statistically, the model is flawed in favor of the
illicit user...who is never in the database and but who also
knows how to get their without having to go through Windows
or Microsoft Automatic Updates. WGA monitors nothing nor can
it prove equivocally if anyone is violating the EULA other than
from the sample that fails to divide out properly.
 
Tim;
At that point Microsoft trusts that you are abiding by the agreement you
have already agreed.
An honest person will do as you suggest and install only on one computer at
a time.
The dishonest person may take advantage of the 120 days and install on
multiple computers accepting the EULA each time never intending to keep an
agreement freely entered.
 
Tim said:
I know that you can use a retail copy, of WinXP, on more than one computer
just as long as you uninstall it from the first PC before
installing/reactivating on the next (after 120 days from the first PC
activation). But how does Microsoft know that you did, in fact, uninstall
it from the first PC? How do they prevent it from existing on both PCs
simultaneously? Just curious. TIA
Click to expand...

Essentially, it boils down to trust. There is currently no technical
means for Microsoft to determine such a course of action, although they
do seem to be moving that way with their WGA program.


--

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

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum Russell
 
Bruce said:
Essentially, it boils down to trust.
Click to expand...

Something that MS obviously doesn't do as is evidenced by WPA and WGA/N.
Not only do they not trust their paying customers, they put out flawed,
BETA programs to try and "catch" them.

Alias
 
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