How many times can you activate Windows?

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imported_michaelpatrick33

Platinum Member
Jun 19, 2004
2,364
0
0
Originally posted by: theman
ive used my win2000 cd like, 15-20 without problems. it is pirated though, so i dont know if that effects it.

I was referring to this poster:

Isn't admitting to illegal activities an invitation to a ban? Jeez.
What happened to the thieves skulking in the corner with shifty eyes?
Now they just say, "I steal." Where have all the "respectable" discrete thieves gone.

Edit: For very tired eyes not spotting the atrocious misspellings (I hoped misspelling isn't misspelled, LOL)
 

DaFinn

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2002
4,725
0
0
Originally posted by: theman
ive used my win2000 cd like, 15-20 without problems. it is pirated though, so i dont know if that effects it.

Wow, you're proud that you are a:

-Stupid n00b (W2K doesn't need activation moron)
-Thief (admitting/ talking about piratism gets you banned btw)

way to go...

 
Jun 9, 2005
104
0
0
Originally posted by: theman
ive used my win2000 cd like, 15-20 without problems. it is pirated though, so i dont know if that effects it.

lol my windows 2000 cd doesnt even have a key it was taken out. its so kool i laughed at you key using fools laugh laugh laugh. You have no chance to survive make your time. HA. HA. HA.
 
Jun 9, 2005
104
0
0
Originally posted by: DaFinn
Originally posted by: theman
ive used my win2000 cd like, 15-20 without problems. it is pirated though, so i dont know if that effects it.

Wow, you're proud that you are a:

-Stupid n00b (W2K doesn't need activation moron)
-Thief (admitting/ talking about piratism gets you banned btw)

way to go...

Does it make you feel important calling people stupid n00bs, mr. diamond member, who made that dumb 0 as O's, they need to be slapped
 

BFG10K

Lifer
Aug 14, 2000
22,709
3,003
126
You can activate a single CD key once. If you try to activate it again you'll need to call Microsoft. The exception to this is that every 3-4 months it resets itself so you can activate it again without calling anyone.

Although I had to reactivate once after changing a lot of HW in a short period.
Corporate edition should never request activation. That's the whole point of it.
 

DaFinn

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2002
4,725
0
0
Originally posted by: AMDgood IntelBAD
Originally posted by: DaFinn
Originally posted by: theman
ive used my win2000 cd like, 15-20 without problems. it is pirated though, so i dont know if that effects it.

Wow, you're proud that you are a:

-Stupid n00b (W2K doesn't need activation moron)
-Thief (admitting/ talking about piratism gets you banned btw)

way to go...

Does it make you feel important calling people stupid n00bs, mr. diamond member, who made that dumb 0 as O's, they need to be slapped

Only if they are stupid n00bs, biatch!
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Originally posted by: MDE

Crap, I have to call EVERY damn time I reinstall.

Time to order XP Pro for $5 from China
And I bet those guys will provide a manual on how to install windows xp on 3 different systems using the same cd key at once ;)
 

CrispyFried

Golden Member
May 3, 2005
1,122
0
0
I was able to activate mine something like 6 times over the net, after that Ive needed to call ms. Never had a problem with them.

 

Nick5324

Diamond Member
Aug 19, 2001
3,267
0
0
My understanding is that it prompts you to reactivate if there are 2 major hardware changes, and changing the MB counts as 2. I had to do this once on a friends machine when the MB crapped out. It wasn't a big deal, I was on hold for about a minute, the guy asked for this long number from the reactivation window, asked what hardware i changed, and gave me a reactivation code. painless.
 

zendari

Banned
May 27, 2005
6,558
0
0
I've had to call every time as well, can't activate online while I am at home, as I use a wireless PCI ethernet card.
 

El Brujo

Junior Member
Jun 15, 2005
19
0
0
Correct me if I?m wrong, but aren?t computer profiles erased from M$? activation database after a year or so anyway? If a year has elapsed since the last time a particular copy of XP has been installed, you won?t need to call for activation no matter how many hardware changes you?ve made because the old profile is no longer in their database. Isn?t that correct?

It?s my understanding that as long you don?t reinstall Windows too frequently, or make too many hardware changes over a relatively short period of time, you should never have to call Uncle Bill?s outfit for reactivation.
 

Oyeve

Lifer
Oct 18, 1999
22,071
885
126
Ive used my corporate edition about 8 times on the same PC (no activation on corporate) but when I added 3 more HDs and changed my vid card twice in a 2 month period it asked for an activation but I just clicked on activate and all worked. Never had to call.
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Originally posted by: MDE

Crap, I have to call EVERY damn time I reinstall.

Time to order XP Pro for $5 from China
And I bet those guys will provide a manual on how to install windows xp on 3 different systems using the same cd key at once ;)

Screw that, I already paid $20 for this copy (through school). Even if I wanted a "activation free" copy, I know where to download it :p.
 

russell2002

Senior member
May 16, 2005
272
0
0
What happens if you dont have an interent connection.

I dont use XP so have no knowledge of this activation business.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Originally posted by: MDE
Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Originally posted by: MDE

Crap, I have to call EVERY damn time I reinstall.

Time to order XP Pro for $5 from China
And I bet those guys will provide a manual on how to install windows xp on 3 different systems using the same cd key at once ;)

Screw that, I already paid $20 for this copy (through school). Even if I wanted a "activation free" copy, I know where to download it :p.

I wonder how much microsoft employees pay for a legal xp pro version -- $10?
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: russell2002
What happens if you dont have an interent connection.

I dont use XP so have no knowledge of this activation business.
You have to call in every time then.