No activation XP Home??

[pcgeek11]

Well today I have seen the first time ( for me ) Microsoft has refused to activate a copy of Windows XP ( OEM ) when the motherboard was replaced. I hope this isn?t setting a trend, as the motherboard was replaced IAW the EULA. It was an eMachines laptop with XP Home OEM version installed, the motherboard was damaged during normal usage and it was sent out for warranty repairs via Best Buys extended warranty. As we all know Gateway bought eMachine a while back, so eMachine doesn?t exist as its own entity anymore. The motherboard was replaced using a Gateway branded motherboard at the service center and when the laptop was returned to the customer it booted after displaying the ? Gateway Logo ? to an activation screen ? and it will not activate over the internet for obvious reasons. A call to the activation center and a long discussion with the Indian gentleman all for NADA. They will not activate this machine, period. The customer was given a choice of 1.) Buy a new copy to install on the laptop. 2.) Take it back to the service center where it was repaired. He elected to take it back to Best Buy and he is going to ( as he so eloquently put it ) show his @ss in the middle of the store. I think I?ll go along for the show. It should be fun! I?ll update you when he gets a resolution.

pcgeek11

 

[mechBgon]

:camera:'s?!

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Sounds like a first to me. I've never had a prblem with MS activating in that situation or just upgrading/swapping the MB with an OEM license.

 

[TG2]

Well, I see Microsofts view, old mobo = eMachine, replacement mobo = Gateway.

Thats not the same motherboard per the EULA, Im gonna say its up to the service center to get it corrected, ie it wasnt waiting for activation when it was brought in.
Service center caused this problem, now they have to fix it

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: TG2
Well, I see Microsofts view, old mobo = eMachine, replacement mobo = Gateway.

Thats not the same motherboard per the EULA, Im gonna say its up to the service center to get it corrected, ie it wasnt waiting for activation when it was brought in.
Service center caused this problem, now they have to fix it

Gateway bought eMachine, That makes Gateway the OEM, the EULA allows the OEM to replace the motherboard with the same or THEIR Equivalent as quoted from the system builder information at microsoft:

Quoted from MS System Builders

"If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC. The replacement motherboard must be the same make/model or the same manufacturer?s replacement/equivalent."

I do agree that the service center should have had this taken care of before giving the machine back to the owner.

pcgeek11

 

[Robor]

I'll bet Best Buy will get him an XP copy installed (one way or the other). If not just get a retail copy, installed it, and call to get it activated.

 

[John]

pcgeek11, I haven't seen an SLP locked XP in a long time although I have dealt with plenty in the past. Did you try to call back and tell the activation rep. that it was simply a reinstall due to viruses instead of a mainboard swap? If they truly refuse to activate it then I would call back a third time just to play it safe.

Tell your customer that it's not a good idea to go into Best Buy making a scene. Ask him to bring supporting documentation showing the warranty, warranty work performed, and times that MS was phoned for activation. Print this out as well. Have him talk to management about the issue first, then request that someone from the Geek Squad try and activate his copy of XP by calling 1-888-571-2048 while he waits. Once it fails Best Buy should either 1) replace his board with a comparable eMachine product or 2) provide him with a new copy of XP. If it's the latter make sure he gets the COA at a bare minimum.

* forgot to ieSpell this post

 

[cubby1223]

Unless you specifically talked with an MS rep trying to activate the copy of XP, I wouldn't accept this person's claims as fact.

I know some who have intentionally used software against the eula, and when activating the software, just played dumb long enough for the rep to finally give in and allow activation.

So I can't imagine this story here being the full truth. Something is certainly missing. If he's willing to drop trough in the middle of Best Buy, who knows what answers he was giving to the rep when he was asked the standard set of questions before activation.

 

[John]

cubby1223, I have personally dealt with identical issues in the past year where MS refused to activate the OS due to an SLP install even though I told them it was simply a fresh install due to a corrupted OS.

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: John
pcgeek11, I haven't seen an SLP locked XP in a long time although I have dealt with plenty in the past. Did you try to call back and tell the activation rep. that it was simply a reinstall due to viruses instead of a mainboard swap? If they truly refuse to activate it then I would call back a third time just to play it safe.

Tell your customer that it's not a good idea to go into Best Buy making a scene. Ask him to bring supporting documentation showing the warranty, warranty work performed, and times that MS was phoned for activation. Print this out as well. Have him talk to management about the issue first, then request that someone from the Geek Squad try and activate his copy of XP by calling 1-888-571-2048 while he waits. Once it fails Best Buy should either 1) replace his board with a comparable eMachine product or 2) provide him with a new copy of XP. If it's the latter make sure he gets the COA at a bare minimum.

* forgot to ieSpell this post

John,

I sat right there with him as he talked to three different MS reps. Beats the crap out of me why they would refuse??? But they did. Although I agree BB should not have handed the laptop back with this issue to begin with. We had the phone on speaker when the calls occurred. Anyway the BB rep attempted to activate also and MS also dumped him also for attmpt # four. They called the eMachine service center and they made a few suggestions and that didn't work out either. In the end they agreed to make it right ( whatever that means ) but he is without the laptop for another few days.

cubby1223,

Unless you specifically talked with an MS rep trying to activate the copy of XP, I wouldn't accept this person's claims as fact.

Speaker phone for all three attempts.
1. MB fried
2. MB replaced at eMachines service center with Gateway MB ( displays "Gateway Logo" on boot. This is an eMachine laptop.
3. First boot flagged Activation Required before continuing to Windows.
4. Three MS Reps REFUSED to activate three times over the course of two days.

I know some who have intentionally used software against the eula, and when activating the software, just played dumb long enough for the rep to finally give in and allow activation.

I know many who have done this. So?

So I can't imagine this story here being the full truth. Something is certainly missing. If he's willing to drop trough in the middle of Best Buy, who knows what answers he was giving to the rep when he was asked the standard set of questions before activation.

Sorry, but I don't have to lie for your entertainment. Nothing is missing, the details are all facts. They (BB) said they were going to fix the problem, but they haven't been real successful so far.

I just do not understand why MS will not approve his reactivation. I didn't work on his machine as it is under warranty. I just offered to assist with the MS problem, and thought it would be no more than a five minute phone call. I've done this many times, never a problem. puzzled here.

He is really frustrated with this eMachine as it has been sent back four times for the video adapter, power supply, MB, again the MB...

pcgeek11

 

[bendixG15]

I sure don't understand all this.

Would appreciate if the outcome was posted here...

 

[pcgeek11]

Well no feedback yet... the laptop is still out for service. I'll update as soon as I hear back any news...

pcgeek11

 

[VirtualLarry]

I could make a comment about the "benefits" of "being legal" with MS... oh wait, I just did.

It certainly lends credibility to rants like this, regarding the (dubious) "value" of legitimate (restricted) software, versus the (unrestricted) grey/black-market alternatives.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: pcgeek11
I just do not understand why MS will not approve his reactivation.

SLP install of XP + different mobo with different bios = no activation unless an identical mobo is put back in with SLP info to match the COA that shipped with the system, or you get a new COA to accompany the new mobo.

 

[Stonesoldier]

ya gotta just love the "must be same motherboard "

had a friends emachine die on him last month
bad MB
emachine MB will cost 4 times what a oem ( asus /msi/abit ) MB will cost

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Stonesoldier
ya gotta just love the "must be same motherboard "

If you don't like it (and obviously many don't) do not take the discount from MS for the OEM version and buy the full retail version. This way you never need to worry about it. Each of the users complaining about this paid a cheaper price to MS for the tradeoff. Is it a good deal? For most users yes. For those who move configs and such, no.

 

[Stonesoldier]

i wouldnt exactly call replaceing a dead motherboard
upgradeing or changeing your configuation
thats like loseing your car warrenty if you change your brake pads

 

[RebateMonger]

I consider brand-name PCs as "throw-aways". They are inexpensive (including a discount copy of XP) and are a good value for the money. But when they become obsolete, they are best handed down to somebody who can use an older computer. When they break (out of warranty), it's best to toss them, stripping out anything of value.

Brand-name boxes often have non-standard components (particularly motherboards and power supplies), and messing with them can be an exercise in futility.

pcgeek1's case is a special one. He's under warranty. The warranty-provider is responsible for repairing the computer and for providing a functional copy of Windows to go with it.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Stonesoldier
i wouldnt exactly call replaceing a dead motherboard
upgradeing or changeing your configuation
thats like loseing your car warrenty if you change your brake pads

If he gets the same type of motherboard, absolutely. But a completely newwer one is an upgrade, what else would you call it?

 

[Stonesoldier]

i'd call it a repair

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Stonesoldier
i'd call it a repair

Hey, I'm not telling you the rules because I agree with them, I'm just answering the posters question about it. But you did agree to these restrictions when you bought and OEM version, thats why I usually recommend the full retail.

 

[pcgeek11]

If he gets the same type of motherboard, absolutely. But a completely newwer one is an upgrade, what else would you call it?

To clear this up once again...
The motherboard was replaced by the OEM Service Center with a motherboard Deemed by the OEM as a replacement for the original that is not available anymore. This is in keeping with the agreement of the OEM EULA as set down in writing by microsoft.

Quoted from MS System Builders

"If the motherboard is replaced because it is defective, you do NOT need to acquire a new operating system license for the PC. The replacement motherboard must be the same make/model or the same manufacturer?s replacement/equivalent."

It should be honored by Microsoft and activated.

pcgeek11

 

[Dooyas]

What the techs at BestBuy have done is installed the OS using the recovery discs. What this does is uses Gateways generic key when installing. Most times you will not be able to activate this key and will have to change it to the key that is located on the bottom of your laptop.

You can simply change the key with most programs like Magic Jelly Bean and then activate it from there. The key on the bottom of your laptop most likely has not ever been activated so it will not require a phone call.

At least in my experiance that is what probably happened. (I work at bestbuy. ) My apologies to your friend if this is the case.

 

[pcgeek11]

Originally posted by: Dooyas
What the techs at BestBuy have done is installed the OS using the recovery discs. What this does is uses Gateways generic key when installing. Most times you will not be able to activate this key and will have to change it to the key that is located on the bottom of your laptop.

You can simply change the key with most programs like Magic Jelly Bean and then activate it from there. The key on the bottom of your laptop most likely has not ever been activated so it will not require a phone call.

At least in my experiance that is what probably happened. (I work at bestbuy. ) My apologies to your friend if this is the case.

No this is not the case. They installed the Gateway Motherboard into an eMachine Laptop T6810 I think it is... The drive was NOT reinstalled or restored as it had his original data still on the disk.

Best Buy tech support .... No Comment.

pcgeek11

 

[Dooyas]

In that case, the system needs to be retatooed. I am not sure if you can do so with Gateway / E-Machines, but I know with HP / Compaqs they have certain steps to get the copy of XP to validate to that motherboard.

But to be honest with you, I would seriously consider reinstalling anyway, chances are with a new motherboard problems will arise if you use the same installation.