This just in - Microsoft only lets you activate a Windows 7 FamilyPack on a SINGLE PC

[VirtualLarry]

I've got the family pack on my boxes. I've installed it on four different PC's in total...one license was used on a replacement PC. It's on 3 PC's and I haven't been given any grief activating them.

Also, can do a fresh install of the upgrade. Just do the slrmgr -rearm trick at first boot, then reboot and online activation will accept the key.

Did you have to resort to phone activation, to get the fourth (replacement for 3rd) PC activated?

 

[Tsavo]

Did you have to resort to phone activation, to get the fourth (replacement for 3rd) PC activated?

I didn't know about the slrmgr -rearm trick until 6 months ago. Installing clean with an upgrade requires phone activation, so I can't answer your question because I had to call in when one of my W7 pc's bit the dust.

 

[Tsavo]

Durp...slmgr, not slrmgr.

 

[Raduque]

The Windows 7 Family pack comes with a single "3-use" key, not 3 "single-use" keys? That seems weird to me.

 

[Diogenes2]

3 Dif keys would present more opportunity for fraud.

 

[imagoon]

Activation has always been hell. It was one of the main reasons I left windows in the first place.

At work now we have to build a license server to validate all of our windows installs and office installs every week. It's insane.

Actually you don't have to build a special server, the KMS installs on 2k3 and above and uses nearly zero CPU and about 50 or so KB of disk space. It also only requires contact with the machines it supports once every 90 days. Even then the machines don't shutdown.

Why do people make this stuff up?

 

[Nothinman]

Actually you don't have to build a special server, the KMS installs on 2k3 and above and uses nearly zero CPU and about 50 or so KB of disk space. It also only requires contact with the machines it supports once every 90 days. Even then the machines don't shutdown.

Why do people make this stuff up?

Because it's still extra hoops for people to jump through to deal with licensing that not even MS understands or enforces consistently.

 

[imagoon]

Because it's still extra hoops for people to jump through to deal with licensing that not even MS understands or enforces consistently.

Sure, but it is pretty tame compared to the rest of the enterprise apps they we have to use. Like needing stupid little USB keys or software that checks with the server every 180 seconds or so, so if a network link blips the software bombs. Or my other favorite, if you want a redundant "licensing server" you have to split the licenses between the servers. They don't pool between them etc.

MS's licenses are actually pretty simple compared to other crap I have to deal with.

 

[HeXen]

i have a legit copy, never used the included key, instead in order to avoid any hassles, i just use a loader. works perfect and no b.s. main reason is cause i tend to reinstall alot.

 

[Nothinman]

Sure, but it is pretty tame compared to the rest of the enterprise apps they we have to use. Like needing stupid little USB keys or software that checks with the server every 180 seconds or so, so if a network link blips the software bombs. Or my other favorite, if you want a redundant "licensing server" you have to split the licenses between the servers. They don't pool between them etc.

MS's licenses are actually pretty simple compared to other crap I have to deal with.

Yea, MS is really lenient but they get a lot of flack because of the extra exposure because so many people have to deal with it.

 

[wirednuts]

Yeah you have to avoid some of the advice given. Be straight up with them when asked. Being deceptive will get you no where in the end.

white lies are the same as all lies? yikes...

 

[MrEgo]

Actually you don't have to build a special server, the KMS installs on 2k3 and above and uses nearly zero CPU and about 50 or so KB of disk space. It also only requires contact with the machines it supports once every 90 days. Even then the machines don't shutdown.

Why do people make this stuff up?

ha ha.. my thoughts exactly. Not only that, but every time I've requested it, Microsoft has provided me a MAK key instead of a KMS key.

Even still, KMS is such a "set it and forget" mechanism. It blows my mind how someone who's even dealing with a KMS key is in a position to screw it up.

Whoever is having a problem with MS product activation is either A) not trying or B) don't know what they're doing or C) exceeding their legal activation limit

 

[sourceninja]

Actually you don't have to build a special server, the KMS installs on 2k3 and above and uses nearly zero CPU and about 50 or so KB of disk space. It also only requires contact with the machines it supports once every 90 days. Even then the machines don't shutdown.

Why do people make this stuff up?

Well, I might be misinformed. However we do indeed need to build a special server as we do not have a single windows server in our environment.