Change memory = XP re-activation?

[kuba]

I changed my RAM from 1 512 Value RAM, to 2 gigs OCZ, and XP prompted me for a re-activation.
What a pain in the ass.
Microsoft Nazi's...bleh

 

[EndGame]

It has to do with how many changes are made cummulatively and unless you use an OEM copy it's done online......if it's an OEM then you will most likely have to make a 5 minute call to a toll free number........this makes Gates money how? Also, if you notice, unless you run hacked versions of a lot of software......there's a whole lot of companies moving to this and many had it before MS so get used to it.....

 

[DaveSimmons]

PayPal me $20 and I'll tell you how to re-activate for free with just one toll-free phone call. Gates won't get a penny!

 

[OdiN]

Next thing we know, the next version of windows is going to have a USB key that has to be kept in in order to install or run it. I wonder if someone could hack that...

 

[spikespiegal]

Good point, and I've yet to have XP flip into activation mode for a memory change.

If you're a 'Nazi' for requiring your software be registered I guess that makes IBM 'Satan worshippers' for the licensing hassles they put me through for their platforms.

Oops, I forgot. Only Microsoft is evil for charging for their software.

 

[kuba]

Well it's a retail copy, from MS itself (friend).
I'm not saying re-activation makes Gates money, I'm implying, he really has a pretty good grip (relatively good grip) on his stuff.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: spikespiegal
Good point, and I've yet to have XP flip into activation mode for a memory change.

If you're a 'Nazi' for requiring your software be registered I guess that makes IBM 'Satan worshippers' for the licensing hassles they put me through for their platforms.

Oops, I forgot. Only Microsoft is evil for charging for their software.

It's a pain in the arse, i've had to re register XP more times than i can remember, if you don't tinker with your machine much then it's no problem, for those that do it gets annoying quickly.

 

[spikespiegal]

Apple charges their users for each OS upgrade, but I don't recall Windows XP SP2 or Win2K SP4 costing me anything. I would also bet the amount of fraud that occurs with ripped off and hacked Windows installations is greater than legitimate sales of competiting OS's.

I could also buy 30 OEM CD's of XP home for the cost of a single yearly seat license of the non Windows accounting software we are running on a non Windows platform.

But, I forgot that only Microsoft is greedy and draconian.

 

[imported_Imp]

Yep, definately kind of annoying. I've called MS twice now (think I go the same guy). Had to reactivate after a couple clean installs(obviously), switching an HDD to another channel, and the most annoying last week: reinstalling video card drivers. So until they tell me that I have to buy a new copy for some bs reason, I'm fine with activation, makes me feel big...

 

[dguy6789]

Yes, Windows XP does have some odd activation properties. The one I find the most troublesome is as follows:

If you format your pc and install Windows, then activate, then install video card drivers(if never previously installed), you will be required to activate again.

 

[Minerva]

Call them up and tell what you did. The Indian will ask if you have that copy of xp on more than one computer and say no and they will give you a new installation id. Simple enough?

 

[LittleNemoNES]

pssh that's why I dont' own XP...
I change hardware like every day.
BS

 

[SonicIce]

Originally posted by: gersson
pssh that's why I dont' own XP...
I change hardware like every day.
BS

jesus, nice pc. whatd it all cost?

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

It's a pain in the arse, i've had to re register XP more times than i can remember, if you don't tinker with your machine much then it's no problem, for those that do it gets annoying quickly.

QFT!

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: SonicIce

Originally posted by: gersson
pssh that's why I dont' own XP...
I change hardware like every day.
BS

jesus, nice pc. whatd it all cost?

I think about 3100 including headphones, and D-link 4300 Gaming router.



I'll soon put an order in for an NEC 20WMGX2 and an x1900 Crossfire... well, maybe not crossfire...

Funny thing is I'm not even rich! In fact I'm pretty damn poor but I'll gladly eat 99c mac and cheese to get the latest Hardware

::cough, cough::

so cold...

 

[0roo0roo]

sp2 complains less?

 

[loafbred]

I've noticed a change recently in how quickly they reactivate without question. It seems to have changed since they started the "genuine license" verification thing in Windows update. I've changed to a new motherboard in my second machine twice in the last couple of months (the first one, I also changed cpu and video card), and it re-activated online without question. It's an OEM copy of XP Home. I should add that I didn't repair or reinstall either time. Maybe static IP is a factor?

 

[mechBgon]

For those who are interested, here's what goes on under the surface, from this page:

The WPA system checks ten categories of hardware:

1. Display Adapter
2. SCSI Adapter
3. IDE Adapter (effectively the motherboard)
4. Network Adapter (NIC) and its MAC Address
5. RAM Amount Range (i.e., 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc.)
6. Processor Type
7. Processor Serial Number
8. Hard Drive Device
9. Hard Drive Volume Serial Number (VSN)
10. CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM

It then calculates and records a number based on the first device of each type that was found during setup, and stores this number on your hard drive. Initially, this is sent to Microsoft in an automatic dial-up, together with the Product ID number derived from the 25-character unique Product Key used in setting up Windows.

If Service Pack 1 has been installed, the entire Product Key is also transmitted: This can then be checked against a list of known pirated keys

The hardware is checked each time Windows boots, to ensure that it is still on the same machine. Also, if you subsequently perform a complete format and reinstall of Windows, Microsoft?s activation center will have to be contacted again because the information held on the machine itself (the number previously written to your hard drive) will have been wiped out by reformatting the hard drive. If your hardware is substantially the same, this will be done by an automated call without your needing to talk to anyone.

What does ?substantially the same? mean? WPA asks for ?votes? from each of these ten categories: ?Is the same device still around, or has there never been one?? Seven Yes votes means all is well ? and a NIC, present originally and not changed, counts for three yes votes! Minor cards, like sound cards, don?t come into the mix at all. If you keep the motherboard, with the same amount of RAM and processor, and an always present cheap NIC (available for $10 or less), you can change everything else as much as you like.

If you change the device in any category, you have lost that Yes vote ? but will not lose it any more thereafter if you make changes in that category again. So, for example, you can install a new video display card every month for as long as you like.

Note that it appears that if you boot with a device disabled (disabled ? not removed), the device is not found in the enumeration ? so if, say, you disable a network connection which uses the NIC and then reboot, you may be missing its three votes and find that a new activation is needed. If you are doing such things, take the Hint 3 in What about formatting a hard disk? below, and restore the files concerned once the NIC is back in service.

And he has some hints too.

 

[NuroMancer]

Thx for that read, interesting information

 

[Minerva]

Activation is silly because it's easily to circumvent as I explained above. Sure you could use the same key on 30 computers and call the activation line every time because you will get a different Indian and they're bascially droids although I called on Jan 1st and was wished a happy new year. But yes you can lye like a red devil and say it's the only copy blah blah blah. Waste of time.

Anti piracy just makes the pirates and crackers get smarter and develop more sophisticated methods to sidestep the process. Meanwhile the honest folks have to put up with more bullcrap. Doesn't everything work this way in the world though?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: kuba
I changed my RAM from 1 512 Value RAM, to 2 gigs OCZ, and XP prompted me for a re-activation.
What a pain in the ass.
Microsoft Nazi's...bleh

Godwin's Law in the first post. Why was this thread even replied to?

- M4H

 

[Pariah]

Originally posted by: Minerva
Call them up and tell what you did. The Indian will ask if you have that copy of xp on more than one computer and say no and they will give you a new installation id. Simple enough?

I've had to reactivate my copy of XP a few times over the years, and I've never spoken to a human. Every time it was a simple automated system where I had to punch in a 70,000 digit number and then they supply me with another 70,000 digit number to reactivate my copy. Less than 5 minutes every time. Not sure what all the fuss is about.

 

[Stumps]

I always find it interesting when I ring up microsoft activate WINXP PRO after i have reformatted one of my 8 PC's..sure it's a pain in the but but usually i end up talking to person on the other end of the line for about 15mins about their side of the world (I'm in Australia), most of the microsoft call center people will agree that the activation is a pain in the rear end..but it pays their bills in the end.

 

[OSX]

Originally posted by: spikespiegal
Apple charges their users for each OS upgrade, but I don't recall Windows XP SP2 or Win2K SP4 costing me anything. I would also bet the amount of fraud that occurs with ripped off and hacked Windows installations is greater than legitimate sales of competiting OS's.

I could also buy 30 OEM CD's of XP home for the cost of a single yearly seat license of the non Windows accounting software we are running on a non Windows platform.

But, I forgot that only Microsoft is greedy and draconian.

No, however, they do charge for going from Win2K to XP. I can download OS updates from Apple's update server for free. Just last week, I went from 10.4.4 to 10.4.5 for free, in fact, it was even suggested by Apple. How about before you go and shoot your mouth off next time, you actually learn something about the product. Going from 10.3 to 10.4 is the same thing as going from 98 to 2k.

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: EndGame
there's a whole lot of companies moving to this and many had it before MS so get used to it.....

Although there are many many companies which include activation and anti-piracy measures, MS's ones are more bothersome, esp. for participants in computer tech forums, for obvious reasons.

Adobe's CS2 activation, in contrast for example, works well for my needs, and balances that with the vendor's need for compensation. A good balance. I personally believe that MS has simply gone too far, and not done a good enough job from the legitimate users' point of view.

Perhaps it's simply weaker, but Adobe's activation serves a very similar need (software tied to some HW) and is much less intrusive in practice.

However, I would not look forward to the day when to replace a HD for example, I would have to remember to deactivate a dozen software installations beforehand and then reactivate them afterwards or talk with a dozen vendors over the phone.