Re: ok, let's clear this up MS - is Product Activation really restricted?

Stephen wrote:
> kurttrail wrote:
>>> Mtimerding wrote:
>>>> On 30-May-2005, "Tim.T" <timatee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> For example, I didn't realise the number of times you could
>>>>> activate it was
>>>>> limited. I know this may be a precaution against piracy, but MS
>>>>> should realise that people have to reinstall their OS for many
>>>>> reasons, and just because they do it often
>>>>
>>>> I have to agree with Tim T, and disagree with all the replies
>>>> to his post .... I too have run into the 'activation limit' as
>>>> well, Not on one, but
>>>> three different computers I own, 3 different vendors, with 3
>>>> different copies of Windows XP. (2 have HOME on them, and this
>>>> machine has
>>>> PRO) ... As I am retired, and disabled, and thus have nothing
>>>> better to
>>>> to but play around on these computers and try different things, and
>>>> as I usually screw up whatever it is I am trying, I tend to just
>>>> format, reload Windows, and all my applications (until I blow it
>>>> again) and reformat, start all over ....(Currently on my 5th
>>>> system, in the last 7 years) ... and three times now, I have run
>>>> into the 'Exceeded number of allowed activations on this copy of
>>>> Windows' message when trying to activate. This last time, there was
>>>> no phone number given or opportunity to activate via a different
>>>> method. It just popped up a window telling me to enter a Product
>>>> key from another/different copy of windows xp, and no other
>>>> options. Fortunately, for
>>>>
>>>> me I had another (legal) copy of Windows XP Pro laying here, not
>>>> being used ... so I just formatted again, reinstalled using that
>>>> copy, and activated it. But,
>>>> in this case, it was the copy of XP that came with this Alienware
>>>> computer that
>>>> would not activate again. (But, it had activated at least 5 times
>>>> since I got this
>>>> computer 2 years ago) In fact, I had just reactivated it two weeks
>>>> ago, before
>>>> having to reformat again a week later.
>>>>
>>>> Before this, it occured on a Micron computer, with it's OEM
>>>> windows cd.
>>>>
>>>> I also have a DELL system, with its copy of XP home downstairs for
>>>> the
>>>> kid to use.
>>>>
>>>> It seems to me, that the 'to many activations' message pops up,
>>>> when trying to activate it somewhere around 3 times in a two week
>>>> period.
>>>>
>>>> I am not arguing it is right or wrong, or bashing Microsoft for
>>>> it's WPA, but I am just disagreeing with the MANY people who post
>>>> on this group
>>>> and others that there is NO limit to activating on the same system,
>>>> with OEM or Retail.
>>>>
>>>> Because I know for a fact, as the original poster learned, THERE
>>>> MOST DEFINATELY IS A LIMIT. (maybe it is imposed on what OEM you
>>>> got your
>>>> XP from, I don't know ...but the fact that it happened to me on 3
>>>> different machines from 3 different vendors tells me it apparently
>>>> isnt all that rare.)
>>>
>>> There is no limit. The wording of the message is just fallacious.
>>> And Dell systems are BIOS-Locked, so unless you change the mobo, or
>>> flashed with a non-Dell BIOS you should never need to activate it.
>>>
>>> I'm not one to give MS any slack over PA, but it should like you got
>>> something else going on, virus, or virus-like, maybe.
>>>
>>> What were you doing to get these computers to ask for activation?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Peace!
>>> Kurt
>>> Self-anointed Moderator
>>> microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
>>> http://microscum.com/mscommunity
>>> "Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
>>> "Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
>
> A copy of my WinXP Home got caught up in an "number of times" Internet
> activation limit.

The message that pops up is a horribly written message. I personally
think it is done on purpose, but there really is no limit to the number
of times you can activate.

> It isn't a virus .. it's some routine in WPA.

Not a virus, then maybe you got a flakey BIOS, or hardware that is on
the blink.

> I
> don't know what triggers it .. someone suggests some sort of 'three
> times in 90 days'.

FUD.

> I wonder if they have a button at Microsoft,
> because for one copy of mine which quickly reached that limit I
> phoned in. Thereafter, I could activate over the Internet like there
> was no tomorrow as if some magic button had been pushed in their
> database for my product key .
>
> I don't think WPA is 'simple'. I think the software has a few
> complications built in... or bugs!

Certainly aren't quoting me. I don't think activation is simple. It is
a pain in the ass. It can be buggy and flakey, but there really is no
limit to the number of times you can activate. You may have to phone up
MS to activate, and that is a pain in the ass, but there is no limit to
the amount of times you can do that either.

> No, I'm not pirating, I was tinkering alot, reinstalling a heck of a
> lot.

And I know how that is, and as long as you paid for you copies there
really is little legal problem for you to circumvent PA for your own
"fair use."

There are ways around PA, and in your boat I'd avail myself of that
option.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"


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