What with all of this activation crap?

[Kdiver58]

A month ago I put together a new computer to play with. Saturday I decided to format the drives and setup RAID just for fun. I had to call Microsoft to get XP pro 64 activated. Why ? It is the OEM version but I bought it when I bought the computer. Any of you have an idea what's going on here? I can see after a while but the second time in a month and I have to call them .....gggrrrr

 

[Matthias99]

It depends on what/how much hardware you change. Changing the hard drive is a 'big' change and usually results in reactivation. Although you don't usually have to call in.

 

[Robor]

I reloaded my system at home (desktop in my sig) last week. I'm using my legal boxed retail copy of XP Pro that's been installed over and over in my desktop as I change/upgrade. It's old (SP1) and each time I do it I've got to call Microsoft. In fact, I still haven't done it for the latest reload yet. One thing I find annoying is I've got to activate my system in order to apply the many updates. Well, what if all I want to do is make sure my previous problem (reason for reload) isn't hardware rather than software? I just want to reload and install a few applications to see if I'm stable. After that I'll finish loading all of my regular apps and activate it but I can't use Windows Update or install Media Player 11 without first activating. I know activation isn't that big of a deal, just wish there was a delay rather than having to do it right away.

 

[stash]

One thing I find annoying is I've got to activate my system in order to apply the many updates using Microsoft/Windows Update

Fixed

You can get all of the high priority updates through automatic updates without activating. Optional updates like WMP11 and .NET framework would require activation.

 

[Matthias99]

You can still download updates (go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com in IE)... you just can't use the standalone Windows Update program or install WMP11.

You can reinstall and install a few applications without needing to activate. You can also image an activated 'clean' install, and then revert to that without needing to reactivate (as long as your hardware is all the same).

 

[mechBgon]

Tangentially, delay activating until you install all your drivers, since the NIC, video, and mass-storage controllers factor into the activation "signature" on Windows XP.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: stash

One thing I find annoying is I've got to activate my system in order to apply the many updates using Microsoft/Windows Update

Fixed

You can get all of the high priority updates through automatic updates without activating. Optional updates like WMP11 and .NET framework would require activation.

Yep, I just like to do it all through WU until I see there's no more updates. I usually turn off AU on my home system and do it manually.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Matthias99
You can still download updates (go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com in IE)... you just can't use the standalone Windows Update program or install WMP11.

Tried that and it didn't work... Still asks for validation.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: Matthias99
You can still download updates (go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com in IE)... you just can't use the standalone Windows Update program or install WMP11.

Tried that and it didn't work... Still asks for validation.

Even to install 'high-priority' updates? You should be able to get SP2 and other security updates even if you are not validated (you probably can't get optional updates, though.)

There was a big brouhaha over this when SP2 came out. Eventually MS relented and let anyone download security fixes, even if they had a Windows install that couldn't be validated.

 

[eggrolls]

Originally posted by: Robor
I reloaded my system at home (desktop in my sig) last week. I'm using my legal boxed retail copy of XP Pro that's been installed over and over in my desktop as I change/upgrade. It's old (SP1) and each time I do it I've got to call Microsoft.

Odd. I have retail XP Home SP0, and I've never called Microsoft to activate. Been over 4 years now and numerous reinstalls. Had a big upgrade once (motherboard, processor, ram), then incremental upgrades (video card). Finally when I swapped out my cd-rw for a dvd-rw, Windows complained about "significant hardware change" and required activation again. Did that over the internet too. Can't say the same about my academic version of Office XP though. Had to call every time for that.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: Matthias99
You can still download updates (go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com in IE)... you just can't use the standalone Windows Update program or install WMP11.

Tried that and it didn't work... Still asks for validation.

Even to install 'high-priority' updates? You should be able to get SP2 and other security updates even if you are not validated (you probably can't get optional updates, though.)

There was a big brouhaha over this when SP2 came out. Eventually MS relented and let anyone download security fixes, even if they had a Windows install that couldn't be validated.

Yep, I go to WU and once it's done checking both the Express and Custom options put me to the Validation page.

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: eggrolls

Originally posted by: Robor
I reloaded my system at home (desktop in my sig) last week. I'm using my legal boxed retail copy of XP Pro that's been installed over and over in my desktop as I change/upgrade. It's old (SP1) and each time I do it I've got to call Microsoft.

Odd. I have retail XP Home SP0, and I've never called Microsoft to activate. Been over 4 years now and numerous reinstalls. Had a big upgrade once (motherboard, processor, ram), then incremental upgrades (video card). Finally when I swapped out my cd-rw for a dvd-rw, Windows complained about "significant hardware change" and required activation again. Did that over the internet too. Can't say the same about my academic version of Office XP though. Had to call every time for that.

I can't ever remember this copy prompting me for validation after a hardware change but that's probably because I don't change it very often and usually reload when I do my motherboard. Each time I do a fresh load I have to call MS to get activated. It's annoying but in the end I only have to do it on a reload and I don't do that very often.

I think I'm going to get everything installed and call and activate then dump an image of my OS drive to my storage drive. I always plan to do that and then do it on a regular basis but planning and doing are 2 different things.

 

[bruceb]

I just went to Windows update today .. no prompt to revalidate ... only get that once in a while

 

[Boyo]

When I erased my old nVidia drivers and installed new ones, I had to call Microsoft to get my version of Windows vaildated. Just happened and it was a pain in the ass. I have no idea why that happened, but if you have to call, drop a dime and call them.