Microsoft won't activate OEM WinXP...

[poppyq]

Not to say MS isn't being dumb about this but the guy could technically be right (probably something in the EULA as mentioned before). There are conditions on being able to buy an OEM version of software, usually a harddrive or motherboard purchase. That may bind you to use the OS on that specific hardware and since you changed out the motherboard it voided the "contract". Just my thoughts on why the guy told you he couldn't give you a key. However, I agree with everyone else, call back in and talk to someone else.

 

[Venomous]

I think that is wrong. You bought a copy for YOUR computer. You attempted to be legal and MS is still giving you the run around. You gotta do what you got to do at this point. I bet if these people were shelling out $$ for every copy of XP on all of their systems, they would all STFU. Take a poll and see how many of them have Win2k installed on their other machines...

 

[drag]

Well, all I have to say is that if you don't like it then quit giving your money to them. There are alternatives.

 

[gsaldivar]

Originally posted by: xSauronx


i think the guy is bsing you or something, its not a new computer, just call and talk to someone who isnt a dick, and tell them your hard drive crashed or something...they usually dont care, and its probably some sort of survey or something silly, and then your copy will work fine

 

[gsaldivar]

oops

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: screw3d

Originally posted by: LesPaul

The word "gay" used in your context is banned. Edit or the mod squads will come bearing down on ya.

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: Venomous
I think that is wrong. You bought a copy for YOUR computer. You attempted to be legal and MS is still giving you the run around. You gotta do what you got to do at this point. I bet if these people were shelling out $$ for every copy of XP on all of their systems, they would all STFU. Take a poll and see how many of them have Win2k installed on their other machines...

I have 3 legit copies of XP for 5 comps.

So I have 3 XP Boxes one 2K laptop (legit) and I just built a new system to run linux on.

paying for software isn't that big of a deal.

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: drag
Well, all I have to say is that if you don't like it then quit giving your money to them. There are alternatives.

Using the mandrake box for web browsing is considerably faster than my XP box.

Even though it is a slower system. AMD 1800+ vs. 2.53 P4

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: drag
Well, all I have to say is that if you don't like it then quit giving your money to them. There are alternatives.

indeed

im setting my computer up to dual boot again today, trying to decide which distro to use

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: xSauronx

Originally posted by: drag
Well, all I have to say is that if you don't like it then quit giving your money to them. There are alternatives.

indeed

im setting my computer up to dual boot again today, trying to decide which distro to use

I actually built a new system just to play with linux. As my gaming declines I don't see any reason to "need" windows. I am going to do some work with open office that normally I would use office XP for BUT I am trying to find new ways.

Like I said the mandrake seems to respond alot faster than the win XP.

 

[rogue1979]

I heard a rumor that a program called reset3 exists. Use google to search and download. Reboot in safe mode (administrator) and install. The 30-day limit is extended to 60-days, and everytime the system is rebooted the microshaft counter starts at 0 days. The operating system never need to be activated and works great.

Of course, this is all just a rumor and I would never actually try anything like this

 

[tm37]

Originally posted by: rogue1979
I heard a rumor that a program called reset3 exists. Use google to search and download. Reboot in safe mode (administrator) and install. The 30-day limit is extended to 60-days, and everytime the system is rebooted the microshaft counter starts at 0 days. The operating system never need to be activated and works great.

Of course, this is all just a rumor and I would never actually try anything like this

you must be so proud of yourself.

 

[DJMiX]

There's ways around it, It had to do with backing up a certain file and then replacing that file when needed.
Do know if it works, but worh a try if microsoft refuses to give you a updated key.

 

[sprockkets]

You think that's bad, I had to reinstall it so many times on one computer I had to call, and worse yet, one day even though it was registered, it said "We can't verify the validity of your copy of XP, you need to re register." That pissed me off so much since I just took out my nic and couldn't do it via the internet. And no, the hardware was not changed.

Yet, on the other hand, that same key is now on another computer, totally different hardware, and they didn't care when I activated it. Supposively they reset the counter or don't care after about a year (?)

Doesn't matter anyhow, the KDE desktop in Linux is so much better, about 3/4 the new features of longhorn, such as multiple desktops, icon previewing and other stuff was copied right out of it. Not to mention due to all the updates, service packs, drivers, then the software that makes the OS useful make the install process take 4 times longer than SuSE Linux 8.2. At least the integrated burning is somewhat useful, but try doing iso or using buffer underun stuff with it.

 

[rogue1979]

Originally posted by: tm37

Originally posted by: rogue1979
I heard a rumor that a program called reset3 exists. Use google to search and download. Reboot in safe mode (administrator) and install. The 30-day limit is extended to 60-days, and everytime the system is rebooted the microshaft counter starts at 0 days. The operating system never need to be activated and works great.

Of course, this is all just a rumor and I would never actually try anything like this

you must be so proud of yourself.

Don't know what I have to so be proud of. It is pretty obvious that someone else figured this out.

Must of ruffled the feathers of a Bill Gates butt buddy.

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: rogue1979

Originally posted by: tm37

Originally posted by: rogue1979
I heard a rumor that a program called reset3 exists. Use google to search and download. Reboot in safe mode (administrator) and install. The 30-day limit is extended to 60-days, and everytime the system is rebooted the microshaft counter starts at 0 days. The operating system never need to be activated and works great.

Of course, this is all just a rumor and I would never actually try anything like this

you must be so proud of yourself.

Don't know what I have to so be proud of. It is pretty obvious that someone else figured this out.

Must of ruffled the feathers of a Bill Gates butt buddy.

Ya I am sure he is pissed off at that as much as when he realised that he(his company at least) purposely released a full-featured copy of XP that doesn't have to be activated at all and the internet is flooded with illegal copies of it.

Hmmm.... Why do you suppose they did that after spending so much time and effort in trying to make XP unpiratable??

Especially after years and years of having propriatory software successfully protected in large coporate networks by liscencing servers....

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Venomous
I think that is wrong. You bought a copy for YOUR computer. You attempted to be legal and MS is still giving you the run around. You gotta do what you got to do at this point. I bet if these people were shelling out $$ for every copy of XP on all of their systems, they would all STFU. Take a poll and see how many of them have Win2k installed on their other machines...

He bought a license. He has to follow the license. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. I haven't read the license, so I couldn't tell you. Some of us though, don't support many of the initiatives Microsoft puts out there and instead use consumer friendly software. I have paid no more than $40USD (before shipping) for any OS on any of my x86 systems. I did pay for Mac OS X, and have refused numerous pirated copies. I just don't upgrade frequently. Open your eyes. Look around.

 

[lameaway]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I dont think the legalities of product activation and EULAs in general has been well tested in the US, so its arguable as to whether circumventing the activation system is actually illegal, provided you do in fact own a legal copy of the software. From an ethical standpoint, of course, it absolutely isn't. The simple fact is that you paid them their damn money and they won't allow you to install the damn software. If anyone needs to be sued in this situation it's Microsoft. Do what you have to.

 

[drag]

Your probably right. As long as you own a legal copy you can futz with the software all you want. You can publish modifications and patches to modify legally owned software. I beleive it's a legally protected right for all software holders irregardless to any EUL's or not.


However MS still can make a case if it violates or bypasses information(which is realy what software is) protected by encryption. Then that's against the DRM and the DMCA and all that crud. (Which is a complete crock of sh!t and should be repeiled.)

 

[txxxx]

You could make things very simple for yourself Earthman, by selling your XP copy with its license, and getting hold of Windows 2000 Pro.
Its pretty much the same (proof? Press Shift + F11 during XP setup - notice anything ) without a few features, which you may be able to live without, although without this WPA hassle.

 

[yukichigai]

People keep bringing up Linux distros, which brings something to mind: isn't there some kind of WinE variant called WinEX that can handle DirectX, thusly allowing you to play all your games? If so, I'd say screw XP, install your favorite linux distro, get WinEX and have fun. Well... if it wasn't a compy for your mom.

 

[poppyq]

Originally posted by: drag
Your probably right. As long as you own a legal copy you can futz with the software all you want. You can publish modifications and patches to modify legally owned software. I beleive it's a legally protected right for all software holders irregardless to any EUL's or not.


However MS still can make a case if it violates or bypasses information(which is realy what software is) protected by encryption. Then that's against the DRM and the DMCA and all that crud. (Which is a complete crock of sh!t and should be repeiled.)

When you buy an OS from MS you don't own the software, you own a license to use it.

 

[lameaway]

Originally posted by: poppyq
When you buy an OS from MS you don't own the software, you own a license to use it.

That's what Microsoft tells you, anyway. I dont know if it holds up in court. Basically, they're distributing a copyrighted work to you - obviously you don't "own" it in the sense that you're authorized to copy and distribute that information, but under normal circumstances you're entitled to use it just as if it were music or a book or whatever - to the extent of fair use. The question is whether they can further limit your rights to use the material by trying to pass off a flimsy-ass "click-through-agreement" as a binding contract. My guess is that they can't, legally.

 

[Wolfdog]

This is one of the reasons I still use a non xp version of windows. I bought it and I can reinstall it anytime I want. It has the key printed on a little sticker and never goes bad. While I can't fault microsoft for doing this, there should be another way. We in the US are loosing billions of dollars because of piracy offshore. The people living here in the US don't even come close to a drop in the lake when it comes to piracy.

 

[buckmasterson]

About a month ago I replaced the mainboard and hard drive in an process pc at work which was running an OEM version of XP Pro Corp. I called Microsoft and all they asked me was how many machines I was running it on. I said one, and they gave me the key.

It's not like I look for this every day, but this is the very first case I've heard of that MS said no to someone.

Hmmm, there's a word I'm looking for here, what is it????