Windows Activation

Paranoid Delusion · 2006-11-05, 09:41

Getting really fed up with this now.

Have gone through the rigmorole of passing Windows authentification, christ knows how many times, since upgrading my PC.

Just installed latest Nvidia driver, and it wants me too reregister windows over the telephone, yet again, saying major hardware changes have taken place.

As this is the only Hardware\driver change made since first activating XP pro, now starting to get on my t**s.

Am I the only one, and is there a workaround. (Nothing illegal just want my Bought and paid for copy of XP to stop P***ing me off).

Thanks

Taipan · 2006-11-05, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paranoid Delusion

Am I the only one?

I think that M$ must be just picking on you - I have only ever had to complete the Windows Authentication once, and I have made numerous software and hardware changes ..... maybe I have just been lucky, so far ...

jawbroken · 2006-11-05, 11:52

I once disabled a few things in the BIOS (built in networking, USB legacy support, stuff like that) on my HTPC and the same thing happened to me. And then they make it so you can't register on the internet and you need to ring them at 3 in the morning. At least they are open 24 hours, I guess. Reading out a string of alphanumerical junk over the phone is always fun though.

Paranoid Delusion · 2006-11-05, 17:10

The point i'm trying to make is fine MS is worried about Piracy, but because of the New build pc, had already "done the phone thing after installing my hardware".

So after 2 weeks, updating my graphics driver, it is a bit extreme to say you need to contact MS customer service yet again.

Calmed down now, but still annoying, taking any form of DRM to extremes.

Aquarius · 2006-11-06, 08:13

Have you tried "XP-AntiSpy" -> RegDone ?
Or "XSetup-Pro" ->"SetActivationDone"

Regards
/Gerd

Efros · 2006-12-02, 17:59

After going through a similar situation recently, and a growing dissatisfaction with XP for my main machine, I hosed XP on it and installed ubuntu, only thing I can't do is convert avi to rmvb, but then I can't be bothered to install WINE. MP is still on my HTPC and consequently I'll still have one machine running XP.

cowpie · 2006-12-31, 08:09

XP will be patched in 2008 by MS to disable activation, so you have that to look forward to at least! (if they stick by their words)

wortelsoft · 2006-12-31, 08:42

I've read just reasently that the activation fades over time. What means that the chances that you have to reactivate windows lowers over time. It's a system with points like the demerit points for the drivers license in some country's if you loose your license and you get it back you will be low on point and eassily loose your license again. Same after activation your low on points at that time.

Some good reading on this:

http://discuss.pcmag.com/forums/1122...aspx#112231001

Marcusb · 2006-12-31, 12:06

If you can obtain a corporate license then you never have to activate ;-)

Just need to work for a large company...

ziphnor · 2007-01-27, 23:56

I just had to happen to me on my Windows Server 2003 developer machine. Updated the chipset drivers and was rewarded with having to phone Microsoft, enter ALOT of numbers, only to be harrased by alot of questions about how many copies i had installed, followed by entering even more number back on the PC.

Luckily it(the phone-bot) asked me if i wanted to participate in a survey regarding this process and i had the chance to voice my frustration

Previously i also had this happen on an XP machine after installing a network card, pretty frustrating overall.

2006-11-05, 09:41	#1 (permalink)
Paranoid Delusion Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cheshire UK Posts: 5,601 Thanks: 92 Thanked 161 Times in 146 Posts Country: My System	Windows Activation Getting really fed up with this now. Have gone through the rigmorole of passing Windows authentification, christ knows how many times, since upgrading my PC. Just installed latest Nvidia driver, and it wants me too reregister windows over the telephone, yet again, saying major hardware changes have taken place. As this is the only Hardware\driver change made since first activating XP pro, now starting to get on my ts. Am I the only one, and is there a workaround. (Nothing illegal just want my Bought and paid for copy of XP to stop P*ing me off). Thanks __________________ Ray\PD Check your codecs are fine with Filmerit. XP\Vista known issues FOR FULL SUPPORT PLEASE GIVE USER SPECIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT LOG's as per HERE

2006-11-05, 17:10	#4 (permalink)
Paranoid Delusion Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cheshire UK Posts: 5,601 Thanks: 92 Thanked 161 Times in 146 Posts Country: My System	The point i'm trying to make is fine MS is worried about Piracy, but because of the New build pc, had already "done the phone thing after installing my hardware". So after 2 weeks, updating my graphics driver, it is a bit extreme to say you need to contact MS customer service yet again. Calmed down now, but still annoying, taking any form of DRM to extremes. __________________ Ray\PD Check your codecs are fine with Filmerit. XP\Vista known issues FOR FULL SUPPORT PLEASE GIVE USER SPECIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT LOG's as per HERE

2006-12-02, 17:59	#6 (permalink)
Efros Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 458 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	After going through a similar situation recently, and a growing dissatisfaction with XP for my main machine, I hosed XP on it and installed ubuntu, only thing I can't do is convert avi to rmvb, but then I can't be bothered to install WINE. MP is still on my HTPC and consequently I'll still have one machine running XP. __________________ "Here's to the electron may it never be of any use to anyone!" Allegedly a toast at the Royal Institute of Physics at the turn of the 20th Century. Current skin: Mepo Green

2006-12-31, 08:42	#8 (permalink)
wortelsoft Portal Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Rotterdam, The Netherlands Age: 32 Posts: 374 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I've read just reasently that the activation fades over time. What means that the chances that you have to reactivate windows lowers over time. It's a system with points like the demerit points for the drivers license in some country's if you loose your license and you get it back you will be low on point and eassily loose your license again. Same after activation your low on points at that time. Some good reading on this: http://discuss.pcmag.com/forums/1122...aspx#112231001 Last edited by wortelsoft; 2006-12-31 at 09:00. Reason: added link

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2006-11-05, 11:52	#3 (permalink)
jawbroken Portal Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 22 Posts: 707 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My System	I once disabled a few things in the BIOS (built in networking, USB legacy support, stuff like that) on my HTPC and the same thing happened to me. And then they make it so you can't register on the internet and you need to ring them at 3 in the morning. At least they are open 24 hours, I guess. Reading out a string of alphanumerical junk over the phone is always fun though.

2006-11-06, 08:13	#5 (permalink)
Aquarius MP Donator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NRW Posts: 229 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	Have you tried "XP-AntiSpy" -> RegDone ? Or "XSetup-Pro" ->"SetActivationDone" Regards /Gerd

2006-12-31, 08:09	#7 (permalink)
cowpie Portal Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	XP will be patched in 2008 by MS to disable activation, so you have that to look forward to at least! (if they stick by their words)

2006-12-31, 12:06	#9 (permalink)
Marcusb Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,869 Thanks: 55 Thanked 24 Times in 24 Posts Country: My System	If you can obtain a corporate license then you never have to activate ;-) Just need to work for a large company...

2007-01-27, 23:56	#10 (permalink)
ziphnor Portal Developer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Copenhagen Age: 29 Posts: 709 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts Country: My System	I just had to happen to me on my Windows Server 2003 developer machine. Updated the chipset drivers and was rewarded with having to phone Microsoft, enter ALOT of numbers, only to be harrased by alot of questions about how many copies i had installed, followed by entering even more number back on the PC. Luckily it(the phone-bot) asked me if i wanted to participate in a survey regarding this process and i had the chance to voice my frustration Previously i also had this happen on an XP machine after installing a network card, pretty frustrating overall.

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