Windows XP Activation

[Chiropteran]

Okay, this is my story.

Brand new PC, built up from parts ordered at newegg. Also a brand new oem copy of windows xp pro sp2. Build goes flawlessly, PC boots up fine first try. I load XP, no problem.

After the install finishes, I activate windows. In the past I would wait and activate AFTER I install all updates and drivers, but microsoft changed it so you can't use windows update site until after you activate. No big deal. I do install the network driver first, but I hold off and plan to install the other drivers after.

So I activate, and install updates. The first updates only install 3 different things before asking to reboot. I reboot, continue with more critical updates, this time it's some 64 different updates. They all install, and I install the audio driver as well.

I reboot, and upon booting windows says I need to reactivate because the hardware has changed dramatically. Great. Of course it won't activate, because I activated "too recently". So I get to sit on the phone for 45 minutes just to get my install reactivated so I can finish the windows updates.

Stupid Microsoft.

 

[Avalon]

Why did it take you 45 minutes? I've had to re-active multiple times because I'm either having to format or I'm throwing a new part into the system, and they do it instantly every time once I tell them why I'm re-activating.

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: Avalon
Why did it take you 45 minutes? I've had to re-active multiple times because I'm either having to format or I'm throwing a new part into the system, and they do it instantly every time once I tell them why I'm re-activating.

Whats the number to instantly talk to someone? The number it gave me was this annoying automated system, it took about 5 minutes just to get past that, and then I went on hold.

The first time I called after 10 minutes on hold I had to give up, because I finished downloading drivers and after installing them my numbers changed. So I had to call and go through it all again. It was easily 30 mins+, 45 is probably about right.

 

[stash]

Hit zero.

 

[nweaver]

don't bypass that automated system, it works fine most of the time.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: nweaver
don't bypass that automated system, it works fine most of the time.

If internet activation doesn't work, then the automated voice system never works either, so yes, it is a waste of time. Thankfully they updated it with better tone recognition for entering the long number.

 

[Genx87]

Eh? I reinstalled 2 weeks ago and updated without activating. I am still not activated and probably wont because this machine is being sold soon. I still have 19 days left to go.

Sucks the damn thing thought you changed stuff around though.

 

[pkme2]

The automated system takes about 8 minutes. Had to activate and register an OEM yesterday. No problem with the automated robot.

 

[Leros]

I call in, type my number (yes, you can press the code on your phone instead of talking, much faster this way). Wait about a minute, talk to a person for a few minutes. I've never had it take longer than 10 minutes.

 

[RebateMonger]

Requiring activation before you can manually update Windows XP IS a pain. I really hate doing activation until I'm sure that the installation and the hardware are working properly. In the good old days, you could wait a month before doing the first activation.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Whats the number to instantly talk to someone? The number it gave me was this annoying automated system, it took about 5 minutes just to get past that, and then I went on hold.

The first time I called after 10 minutes on hold I had to give up, because I finished downloading drivers and after installing them my numbers changed. So I had to call and go through it all again. It was easily 30 mins+, 45 is probably about right.

I activate at least 10 pc's a week and it never takes more than 5-6 min. most of the time. If you are on hold for over 3-4 min. something is wrong so hang up and try again. During the automated message when it asks to you speak the numbers in box A start using your phone's number pad. There is less room for error and it's much faster.

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Requiring activation before you can manually update Windows XP IS a pain. I really hate doing activation until I'm sure that the installation and the hardware are working properly. In the good old days, you could wait a month before doing the first activation.

You can wait a month if you use the Autopatcher - Full which installs all of the criticals and recommended updates thru August 2006. You'll need to have SP2 installed first though, so if you don't please slipstream it or have the network install handy. You can also update the Aug. 06 full release with the Sept., Oct. and Nov. Autopatcher updates. Afterwards enable automatic updates and you're all set. Now you can wait 30 days to activate and you're XP install is fully patched. There's also a Win 2K, XP x64, and 2003 Autopatcher available.

 

[Shamrock]

For phone activation, it's never taken me longer than about

56 minutes!!! (yes I recorded the time). First off, wish he would have spoken proper English, would have cut out 3/4 of the time. Got one of the characters wrong, because he couldn't speak*waits for 7-8 mins*. TRIED to tell him why I had to activate (I had upgraded my mobo)*waits 7-8 mins*, but he kept saying WHY!?!?*waits 2-3 mins EACH time* You have OEM...I said NO, I have UPGRADE XP. *waits in hell for another 5-6 mins*He FINALLY transferred me to a tech specialist and it went through.

 

[gwag]

windizupdate.com before acrivation (or all the time)

 

[Hiruko]

Wow, I've reactivated my OEM copy of Windows XP x64 edition several times. I've even used completely different hardware (new mobo, processor, RAM, and vid card) and I've had no problems with it.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: John

You can wait a month if you use the Autopatcher - Full which installs all of the criticals and recommended updates thru August 2006. You'll need to have SP2 installed first though, so if you don't please slipstream it or have the network install handy. You can also update the Aug. 06 full release with the Sept., Oct. and Nov. Autopatcher updates. Afterwards enable automatic updates and you're all set. Now you can wait 30 days to activate and you're XP install is fully patched. There's also a Win 2K, XP x64, and 2003 Autopatcher available.

Nice find, but how reliable is it? I've got a release version of XP, preSP1, and updating after a reformat takes a long fricking time.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: John

You can wait a month if you use the Autopatcher - Full which installs all of the criticals and recommended updates thru August 2006. You'll need to have SP2 installed first though, so if you don't please slipstream it or have the network install handy. You can also update the Aug. 06 full release with the Sept., Oct. and Nov. Autopatcher updates. Afterwards enable automatic updates and you're all set. Now you can wait 30 days to activate and you're XP install is fully patched. There's also a Win 2K, XP x64, and 2003 Autopatcher available.

Nice find, but how reliable is it? I've got a release version of XP, preSP1, and updating after a reformat takes a long fricking time.

You should slipstream SP2, this will make your install much quicker. nLite rocks for this, plus it makes slipstreaming sata RAID drivers and creating an unintended install easy also.

http://www.nliteos.com/

 

[Bozo Galora]

the way I do it is I deliberately mumble the numbers so automated cant understand it, then when it asks to repeat, I mumble again, and off to Bangalore I go. Then I pretend I am Borat, use a russian accent, and after making the guy in India nutz, I then ask for some help from a support person who speaks English as a native language - then its off to Canada I go, and things go very well there, indeed. As a matter of fact, I prefer Canadian support to U.S.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: John

You can wait a month if you use the Autopatcher - Full which installs all of the criticals and recommended updates thru August 2006. You'll need to have SP2 installed first though, so if you don't please slipstream it or have the network install handy. You can also update the Aug. 06 full release with the Sept., Oct. and Nov. Autopatcher updates. Afterwards enable automatic updates and you're all set. Now you can wait 30 days to activate and you're XP install is fully patched. There's also a Win 2K, XP x64, and 2003 Autopatcher available.

Nice find, but how reliable is it? I've got a release version of XP, preSP1, and updating after a reformat takes a long fricking time.

The Autopatcher is 100% reliable, and I've been using it for over 3 years and never once encountered a problem. It's a major time saver.

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: Hiruko
Wow, I've reactivated my OEM copy of Windows XP x64 edition several times. I've even used completely different hardware (new mobo, processor, RAM, and vid card) and I've had no problems with it.

I know, I have also, this is the first time this has ever happened to me. Maybe some of the on-board hardware is incorrectly identified by windows until the drivers are installed, I'm not sure. I just know what happened.

 

[jws2346]

I agree with the topic, this MS activation is a pain in the a*s. I have four (4) machines up and running, I have purchased three copies (3) of WinXP 32 and one copy(1) copy of WinXp 64 . (I run EdgyEft Ubuntu on my P4) I moved a Tt Typhoon HSF from my Pentium D 805 to my AMD Athlon 64 3000+ and when I booted the 805 it said I had three days to reactivate WinXP and when I booted the 3000+ it didn't say squat. What gives? What this activation crap does, as I see it, gives the honest people a hard time and the crooked people something else to do. I know when WinXP first came out there were a zillion cracks to beat the activation deal. ( something about a hex editor)

WTF. What's this "wait a month before you can use it" crap? If I pay American $ up front for a product I want to use it immediately. I feel I "bought" it, unfortunately MS figures they're doing you a favor by taking your money and loaning you their OS. The more I see it the more Linux is appealing to me. I just downloaded EdhyEft and installed it on my P4, not too shabby so far. Being a Windows fan (since v3.11) I want to give the new Vista a chance when it comes out next year. I haven't been able to find too many posts saying it was that good on the Internet. (Ram, cycle, etc hog)
I think one of the main detractions to Linux is, if you're an avid gamer, there aren't that many popular games ported to the Linux platform. I think the game programmers are still trying to catch up with the new multi core cpu's. ( I'm not a gamer)

 

[John]

Originally posted by: jws2346
I moved a Tt Typhoon HSF from my Pentiun D 805 to my AMD Athlon 64 3000+ and when I booted the 805 it said I had three days to reactivate XP and when I booted the 3000+ it didn't say squat. What gives?

Shens. Impossible. Fact.

 

[jws2346]

Originally posted by: John

Originally posted by: jws2346
I moved a Tt Typhoon HSF from my Pentiun D 805 to my AMD Athlon 64 3000+ and when I booted the 805 it said I had three days to reactivate XP and when I booted the 3000+ it didn't say squat. What gives?

Shens. Impossible. Fact.

Impossible ??? You've GOT TO BE KIDDING. I have both machines sitting in front of me right now and the AMD Athlon64 3000+ is running 29c with a Thermaltake Big Typhoon heat sink fan cooler. In fact, what was was nice I didn't have to take the motherboard out to install the BT on the 3000+ (I used the original back plate, of course I did remove the board anyway) As far as having to reactivate WinXp, I just clean installed from the OEM disk. Frig a bunch of this talking to some robot (having to repeat a thousand #'s again and again) and then having to talk to someone that doesn't speak English. FACT and more FACTS. No wonder Linux is becoming more popular, they just need to get game programmers off their butts and port more games to the Linux platform. (they're still trying to figure out the new multi core CPU's) I wonder how many non gamers will spend up to $400 dollars on Vista ?

Edit: Just WTF is Shens ?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: jws2346
Impossible ??? You've GOT TO BE KIDDING. I have both machines sitting in front of me right now and the AMD Athlon64 3000+ is running 29c with a Thermaltake Big Typhoon heat sink fan cooler. In fact, what was was nice I didn't have to take the motherboard out to install the BT on the 3000+ (I used the original back plate, of course I did remove the board anyway) As far as having to reactivate WinXp, I just clean installed from the OEM disk.

Removing a heatsink from a cpu that is still in the socket cannot trigger Windows activation. You must have done other hardware changes, or you're simply fabricating a story. Judging by the content of your posts I'd put money on the latter.

Frig a bunch of this talking to some robot (having to repeat a thousand #'s again and again) and then having to talk to someone that doesn't speak English. FACT and more FACTS.

I've phoned in hundreds of activations, and I have never had a foreign activation rep that was difficult to understand, and I rarely have to repeat the actual product key back when they ask for it.

Edit: Just WTF is Shens ?

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shens

 

[jws2346]

Originally posted by: John

Originally posted by: jws2346
Impossible ??? You've GOT TO BE KIDDING. I have both machines sitting in front of me right now and the AMD Athlon64 3000+ is running 29c with a Thermaltake Big Typhoon heat sink fan cooler. In fact, what was was nice I didn't have to take the motherboard out to install the BT on the 3000+ (I used the original back plate, of course I did remove the board anyway) As far as having to reactivate WinXp, I just clean installed from the OEM disk.

Removing a heatsink from a cpu that is still in the socket cannot trigger Windows activation. You must have done other hardware changes, or you're simply fabricating a story. Judging by the content of your posts I'd put money on the latter.

Frig a bunch of this talking to some robot (having to repeat a thousand #'s again and again) and then having to talk to someone that doesn't speak English. FACT and more FACTS.

I've phoned in hundreds of activations, and I have never had a foreign activation rep that was difficult to understand, and I rarely have to repeat the actual product key back when they ask for it.

Edit: Just WTF is Shens ?

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shens

Man, this is WAY off topic:

WTF ! Look, my man or woman or whatever,l I don't really have time to trade flames. If you don't believe me I really don't give a sh*t. I was simply stating FACT of what I did to a couple of machines and NO I didn't change any hardware other than the HSF. ( I was going to change DVD drives but changed my mind) Along with many other people, I think this activation crap with M$ is Shens. ( I like that, not being homosexual, I took it to mean bullsh*t) I read on the Internet where people have had nothing but trouble with M$ activation, wait until the new policies concerning the sometimes $400 dollar Vista OS start to be known. ( only one (1) time activation to another machine, no upgrades I guess, read that on Microsofts own site )

Oh yeah, what are you a floor sweeper at Microsoft? I've heard of a lot of things triggering the reactivation of WinXP.

You've done hundreds of phone in activations? Now that sounds like you're Shens deal. I was wrong about the floor sweeper deal, you must work for Ma Bell.

 

[John]

jws2346, I forgot to welcome you to AnandTech. :beer:

FWIW I am a system builder and service tech, therefore I do quite a few MS activations.

BTW your comment about Vista activation/transfer is incorrect as well. Please see this thread