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

kurttrail wrote:

Steve N. wrote:

kurttrail wrote:


Stephen wrote:


kurttrail wrote:


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"


Well, in another thread I suggest a change in BIOS settings might
somehow trigger a WPA event.



Yep, and sometimes driver changes too.



There is definitely a WPA message that one has exceeded how many
times one may activate.



"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."



Perhaps you have not seen it but it is there. 


How many times do I have to repeat myself?  Can you quote me saying
the message doesn't exist?

THE MESSAGE IS WRONG!  DECEPTIVE!  ERRONEOUS!  FALLACIOUS!



It is not a virus, and people, including me, have experienced it. 


I said that to one person, as a possiblility.



I
realize it is a bogus message as far as actual activation .. but it
does block further attempts at activating over the Internet. A phone
call, of course, 'fixes' it.

In other words, I don't know how it works but I know what I saw and
it told me I had exceeded my numerical limit. These guys aren't
saying it happened for nothing - they actually got that message.



I understand that, and even some of the most fervent pro-PA MVPs in
this group would agree that the message does exist, but is very
poorly written, and doesn't accurately reflect MS's PA policy.

The message should read something like "You have installed this copy
on a computer that has substantially different hardware than your
previous activation.  Please call 800-555-5555 to explain this
difference and activate by phone."

My personal opinion is that MS has left the message with its
deceptive word to get the uneducated consumer to buy another copy of
software.  I can't prove this FRAUD, but I suspect it because this
wording has been a part of WIN XP since before it was released to
the public, and MS knows its misleading at best and has had 2
subsequent Service Packs to reword it, and hasn't.


Three, if you count SP1, SP1a and SP2. Interestingly they chose to
change the startup splash screen from displaying Windows xp
Professional and Windows xp Home to just Windows xp with SP2. What is
the purpose in that? Why would they go to the trouble of changing
that and not something more meaningful and so potentially misleading,
such as the "installed too many times" horsecrap message?

BTW & FWIW, I have very recently installed OEM Pro SP1 and SP2 on the
same exact hardware using the same OEM key no less than six times in
less than a week and it has never failed to activate online. However,
some months back I installed using the same key and installation media
on the same hardware, replaced the HDD and did a clean install within
two weeks and got the "installed too many times" horsecrap message,
shut down, went to bed, started up in the morning and it activate
online with no problem.


It is my opinion that this fraudulent behavior is nothing new to MS.
It
is a proven predatory monopoly and a proven patent and copyright
infringer.


Monopoly, yes, but patent and copyright infringement suits were
settled out of court as I recall.


http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/11/14/HNorder_1.html 

Got it. Yep, patent infringement. I forgot about that. 62 Megabucks!


And the Eolas case is still in appeal, but the did lose that. 

I don't recall that one.


As for copyright infringement, I haven't found it yet but I'm fairly certain they have lost at least one case.


I'm fuzzy on it too.


MS is not to be trusted. 

Maybe not, but WPA is definitely not to be trusted. You'd think that
the maker of the world's most used software would be able to make
their stinking WPA technology more consitent, reliable and accurate.

Steve


Its like the Auto Industry is capable of building a car that will run for a million miles, but why should they if you are willing to by a new one every 100,000 miles.


Hell, I can't afford to but a car that doesn't have at *least* 100,000 miles on it!

LOL!

Steve

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