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How exactly does Windows XP Actication work?

B

BigToquex

Senior member
I'm interested in buying WinXP Pro and I was wondering exactly how the Activation worked.

When I enter my CD Key, does something come up that says to register my copy? Then my CD-Key gets sent to MS?
 
Install XP
Xp asks for CD key
installation finishes
system starts for the first time
a code developed from your system configuration is made
code and serial number are sent off to MS (via internet, or over phone), personal info can be sent off too if you want (product registration)
ms then sends message back if it's legit or not (over the phone you have to enter a LONG string of numbers to activate it)
you have been registered.
 
The one thing I don't get, is let's say I'm trying to be uber legal and want to give my WinXp to a friend. So I uninstall the OS from my computer, will that free up the activation key?
 
Originally posted by: TuxDave
The one thing I don't get, is let's say I'm trying to be uber legal and want to give my WinXp to a friend. So I uninstall the OS from my computer, will that free up the activation key?
Click to expand...

No. You will have to call Microsoft and have to get it reactivated via phone.
 
Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Originally posted by: TuxDave
The one thing I don't get, is let's say I'm trying to be uber legal and want to give my WinXp to a friend. So I uninstall the OS from my computer, will that free up the activation key?
Click to expand...

No. You will have to call Microsoft and have to get it reactivated via phone.
Click to expand...

Yep every single time you reinstall that copy. My original copy of WinXP was for my laptop and I decided to install it on my desktop. Everytime I've had to reinstall windows, I have to call Microsoft and inform them that it's a legit copy because it doesn't let me reactivate it. Stupid system if you ask me.
 
There seems to be a way around it... I didn't feel like calling MS to activate XP last time I reinstalled it... so I kept putting it off and kept getting that "activate your copy of Windows XP now" notice every time I logged on. I also hadn't installed SP1... so when I had about a week left to activate, I decided to go ahead and install SP1 and every other update... then it reset the activation thing to 30 days... so I decided to go ahead and activate it... and it activated it instantly, I didn't have to call MS like it said I did right when I installed it.
 
Originally posted by: dabuddha
Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Originally posted by: TuxDave
The one thing I don't get, is let's say I'm trying to be uber legal and want to give my WinXp to a friend. So I uninstall the OS from my computer, will that free up the activation key?
Click to expand...

No. You will have to call Microsoft and have to get it reactivated via phone.
Click to expand...

Yep every single time you reinstall that copy. My original copy of WinXP was for my laptop and I decided to install it on my desktop. Everytime I've had to reinstall windows, I have to call Microsoft and inform them that it's a legit copy because it doesn't let me reactivate it. Stupid system if you ask me.
Click to expand...

i dont hvae to do that and i have a legiit copy why that??

i have my copy of XP installed on 2 comps and will on 3rd soon. and i never have to call MS
 
Originally posted by: Anubis
Originally posted by: dabuddha
Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Originally posted by: TuxDave
The one thing I don't get, is let's say I'm trying to be uber legal and want to give my WinXp to a friend. So I uninstall the OS from my computer, will that free up the activation key?
Click to expand...

No. You will have to call Microsoft and have to get it reactivated via phone.
Click to expand...

Yep every single time you reinstall that copy. My original copy of WinXP was for my laptop and I decided to install it on my desktop. Everytime I've had to reinstall windows, I have to call Microsoft and inform them that it's a legit copy because it doesn't let me reactivate it. Stupid system if you ask me.
Click to expand...

i dont hvae to do that and i have a legiit copy why that??

i have my copy of XP installed on 2 comps and will on 3rd soon. and i never have to call MS
Click to expand...

do you have an academic version? some academic copies are probably the corporate version that doesn't require activation
 
Originally posted by: FoBoT
Originally posted by: Anubis
Originally posted by: dabuddha
Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Originally posted by: TuxDave
The one thing I don't get, is let's say I'm trying to be uber legal and want to give my WinXp to a friend. So I uninstall the OS from my computer, will that free up the activation key?
Click to expand...

No. You will have to call Microsoft and have to get it reactivated via phone.
Click to expand...

Yep every single time you reinstall that copy. My original copy of WinXP was for my laptop and I decided to install it on my desktop. Everytime I've had to reinstall windows, I have to call Microsoft and inform them that it's a legit copy because it doesn't let me reactivate it. Stupid system if you ask me.
Click to expand...

i dont hvae to do that and i have a legiit copy why that??

i have my copy of XP installed on 2 comps and will on 3rd soon. and i never have to call MS
Click to expand...

do you have an academic version? some academic copies are probably the corporate version that doesn't require activation
Click to expand...

i have no idea. I know its a OEM version tho couse it says that. the cover of it is all shiny and hologram like

i think someone once tole me it was a Volume media release or something like that
 
i installed winxp home on my dell like 3 times and it never asked me to reactivate it.

i haven't even received a message to activate the OS the first time around.
 
Originally posted by: Anubis
Originally posted by: dabuddha
Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Originally posted by: TuxDave
The one thing I don't get, is let's say I'm trying to be uber legal and want to give my WinXp to a friend. So I uninstall the OS from my computer, will that free up the activation key?
Click to expand...

No. You will have to call Microsoft and have to get it reactivated via phone.
Click to expand...

Yep every single time you reinstall that copy. My original copy of WinXP was for my laptop and I decided to install it on my desktop. Everytime I've had to reinstall windows, I have to call Microsoft and inform them that it's a legit copy because it doesn't let me reactivate it. Stupid system if you ask me.
Click to expand...

i dont hvae to do that and i have a legiit copy why that??

i have my copy of XP installed on 2 comps and will on 3rd soon. and i never have to call MS
Click to expand...

Because mine was originally activated on my laptop. Since it's on my desktop now, they see it as a different machine.
 
Originally posted by: dabuddha
Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Originally posted by: TuxDave
The one thing I don't get, is let's say I'm trying to be uber legal and want to give my WinXp to a friend. So I uninstall the OS from my computer, will that free up the activation key?
Click to expand...

No. You will have to call Microsoft and have to get it reactivated via phone.
Click to expand...

Yep every single time you reinstall that copy. My original copy of WinXP was for my laptop and I decided to install it on my desktop. Everytime I've had to reinstall windows, I have to call Microsoft and inform them that it's a legit copy because it doesn't let me reactivate it. Stupid system if you ask me.
Click to expand...


Funny thing is, I've only had to call MS once in the 14 times I've reinstalled XP (two times were on diff systems)
😕 I guess that's why I've never seen it as a burden.
 
Originally posted by: Sid59
store bought computers with preloaded XP don't need to activate, they are already activated.
Click to expand...

Yea, not true. THe first time you start up Gateway systems, you have to activate.
 
I own a half dozen copies of WinXP Pro - I just choose not to install the legit copies. Microsoft can blow me on the activation.
 
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
I own a half dozen copies of WinXP Pro - I just choose not to install the legit copies. Microsoft can blow me on the activation.
Click to expand...

i hate that dumbass activation crap...
 
Just curious - when someone owns legit copies of WinXP, how can they not install a legit copy and not activate it? (I assume you guys are talking XP Corporate?)
 
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
Just curious - when someone owns legit copies of WinXP, how can they not install a legit copy and not activate it? (I assume you guys are talking XP Corporate?)
Click to expand...

Buy XP Pro. Download Devilsown. Install Devilsown. Use your legit keys.
 
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
I own a half dozen copies of WinXP Pro - I just choose not to install the legit copies. Microsoft can blow me on the activation.
Click to expand...

i hate that dumbass activation crap...
Click to expand...

I hate dumbasses who think that product activation hurts them, or wastes time.
 
Originally posted by: rbloedow
Originally posted by: CraigRT
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
I own a half dozen copies of WinXP Pro - I just choose not to install the legit copies. Microsoft can blow me on the activation.
Click to expand...

i hate that dumbass activation crap...
Click to expand...

I hate dumbasses who think that product activation hurts them, or wastes time.
Click to expand...

Why? Because they're right?
 
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