does Windows 7 family pack have an activation limit?

[rudeguy]

I just had to format after an oopsie but Windows wouldn't take my serial. Its good...I know it is. The only thing I can think of is that I have a nasty habit of formatting and its possible that I went over some limit.

Anyone ever ran into this?

 

[Nothinman]

I don't think there's a hard limit, but all versions of Windows with activation will only activate so many times before you have to call MS and explain yourself.

 

[bbhaag]

Sounds like you're on "the list". Looks like you're going to have to call the 800 number and explain your situation to the man.

 

[rudeguy]

weird. It let me click past it and I'm downloading updates.

I'm assuming it will give me the 800 number when its time? I've only ever installed it on 2 computers, so its not like I'm selling the serial.

I just like a clean computer

 

[bbhaag]

I believe W7 has a 30 day trial period before activation is required.

 

[rudeguy]

so how does it know about "the list" if I'm not connected to the internet?

At the initial setup, I hadn't setup my wifi yet when I typed in my serial. I don't get how that would work. Its a fresh install, so where would it get the blacklist from?

 

[Exodist]

When you do the "over-the-internet" activation a server keeps a track of the product key activations.
I hit it on WinXP years ago. Just call the 800 number and tell Abbo in india that you had to reinstall the crap again due to virus/spyware blahh blahh and he will give you a challenge code to let you activate it again. No problem doing this and all they do is ask if its the only computer you have it installed on. Just say YES and they dont give you a hard time about it at all.

 

[bbhaag]

On initial setup you can choose to skip entering a serial. If you choose to do that Windows gives you 30 days to acquire a serial and enter it.
If you tried to enter a serial and it was denied or "black listed" you're going to have to call M$ and explain the problem. There is just no way around it. Well there is but it's illegal and board rules prohibit that kind of talk.
Anyway, even if the serial you have is valid and even if your computer was disconnected from the net it doesn't matter you're are still going to have to call.

Honestly I'm not sure how Microsoft knows but if your serial was not valid the only way to get it validated is to call the 800 number and explain your problem. Just make sure you have all the necessary paperwork and yes it's a pain in the ass.

 

[rudeguy]

I'm fine calling. I'm just confused since this is the first time I've run into this.

 

[Hulk]

I think they gave up on XP. I'm still running a computer with XP and every time I reinstalled I had to call. This time it just activated over the internet.

 

[Kathi201]

I don't think so,,,, there is no limitations..
Thanks

 

[nenforcer]

I don't think the family pack has an activation limit on a per PC basis, although if you do multiple reinstalls / formats / massive hardware changes you may have to call the 1800 number.

You are, however, only allowed to install in on up to 3 seperate computers, and no more.

 

[Raincity]

I think they gave up on XP. I'm still running a computer with XP and every time I reinstalled I had to call. This time it just activated over the internet.

About three months ago I tried a reinstall of XP-Pro and the operators in India claimed my key was blacklisted. After they transfered me through to customer support. Customer support claimed the key was blacklisted due to 40+ activations over the years that I owned the license. They gave me some contact info to challenge the blacklist but I just gave up and just used a spair key from a technet sub.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you installed Win7 Family Pack on a fresh HD, then no, the installer will NOT take the key. Why? Because if you do a fresh install, it wants a full-version key, and not an upgrade key. You have to make sure that "MediaBootInstall" is set to "0" (zero) in the registry, and then do "SLMGR /REARM" from an elevated command prompt, and then reboot, and then go into Control Panel / System and enter the product key and activate.

As long as your hardware is the same as when you previously activated, then you won't have to call the 800 number. If the hardware has changed, but you haven't used all three license activations (over the internet), then you won't have to call either.