I freaking hate Windows Activation

[PingSpike]

Install windows 2000 FTW.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: desiplaya4life
omg just call their automated service. takes less than 5mins man...

geeesh stop being soo lazy

It still sucks...especially when you rely on Skype as your telephone in your room, since your cell doesn't get reception.

"OK, and how many computers do you have this copy of windows installed on?"
...*sigh*

Originally posted by: Injury
A resonable person would put the blame in the correct place and hate on the Pirates.

Yeah, it's annoying, but at least it's pretty painless.

Holy crap, you mean the pirates hacked into Microsoft and uploaded the code to incorporate activation into XP? Bastards!:Q

how about the fact if not for thief's then MS wouldn't have to resort to stupid and infective measures to try to keep thief's from stealing it?

Are you being sarcastic?

 

[Stumps]

run MSCONFIG with all services and startup programs disabled, then restart your PC (SEE ATOS forums to understand what happens) and marvel at the glory of WGA

for the lazy people heres the link http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=34&threadid=1877848&enterthread=y

 

[halik]

Hahaha FCKGW FTW!

 

[brxndxn]

I own copies of Windows XP inadvertently (planned on using pirated but one copy came with my laptop and one was given to me by my school) but I still use the pirated version because it doesn't have bullsh!t activation.

The pirated version has been a breeze.. It updates just like the activated version - yet it never pops up a message or threatens to stop working. It just works.

I think being forced to call Microsoft every time you change hardware is stepping WAY over the line by Microsoft. They have no regard for personal productivity.. Maybe a study should be done about the calls taking 5 minutes each multiplied by how many have been made so far by the average amount made in 5 minutes..

Also, I think the new 'pay for security' feature by Microsoft is even worse than product activation. It's what happens when a monopoly is allowed to function unobstructed by the courts... Now, if you want your insecure (insecure is THEIR fault and a defect) OS made secure, not only do you pay for it, but you also must pay $XX/year to keep it 'secure.'

 

[ultimatebob]

WGA is pissing me off, too. That new piracy check tool that they bundled in with the "critical updates" seems to be phoning home every time I start up my computer in the morning, adding 5 seconds to my boot time.

 

[mcvickj]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict

Originally posted by: Stew
This time I am really pulling my hair out.

This is like the 5th time this year I've been asked to reactivate my genuine copy of Windows because of hardware changes. It went painlessly over the internet the last few times, but now I need to call them again, because I activated "too many times."

I am getting to really hate WGA.

WGA?

you mean WPA, right?

Nope. WGA. Windows Genuine Authentication.

Agreed. It is a PITA. I can't activate my OEM copy any more via the Internet. I have to call the mothership. Then when I do the automated thing it fails and I get kicked over to someone with a very heavy accent. Tell them whats going on and they spit out the string I need to activate my copy.

My other OEM copy has failed the WGA crap. It says I'm using an illegal version. Still haven't messed with that yet. At least with the first version of the WGA you could just diable it inside IE. Not the case with the new version. BAH!

 

[j00fek]

Originally posted by: l Xes l
This is why i choose my own windows updates... Crap free windows ftw!

:thumbsup:

 

[ForumMaster]

i agree. activation is so stupid. if i add some RAM and replace my graphic card, it means that this is a different computer right? i hate activation. and although i have a legit copy, i didn't install the notification. i don't need you to tell me that my windows is legit! and it's even stupider for pirates. i saw this at my friends house who baught a dell and then this technician installed a VL copy of pro that was pirated. "Your copy of Windows might not be genuine." gee you think? i never installed it due to its spyware habbit. i think i'll just go back to linux. sheesh.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: mcvickj

Originally posted by: jlbenedict

Originally posted by: Stew
This time I am really pulling my hair out.

This is like the 5th time this year I've been asked to reactivate my genuine copy of Windows because of hardware changes. It went painlessly over the internet the last few times, but now I need to call them again, because I activated "too many times."

I am getting to really hate WGA.

WGA?

you mean WPA, right?

Nope. WGA. Windows Genuine Authentication.

Agreed. It is a PITA. I can't activate my OEM copy any more via the Internet. I have to call the mothership. Then when I do the automated thing it fails and I get kicked over to someone with a very heavy accent. Tell them whats going on and they spit out the string I need to activate my copy.

My other OEM copy has failed the WGA crap. It says I'm using an illegal version. Still haven't messed with that yet. At least with the first version of the WGA you could just diable it inside IE. Not the case with the new version. BAH!

aah.. Thanks..

I was confusing that WGA term with WPA (windblows product activation)..

 

[imported_Stew]

Originally posted by: mcvickj

Originally posted by: jlbenedict

Originally posted by: Stew
This time I am really pulling my hair out.

This is like the 5th time this year I've been asked to reactivate my genuine copy of Windows because of hardware changes. It went painlessly over the internet the last few times, but now I need to call them again, because I activated "too many times."

I am getting to really hate WGA.

WGA?

you mean WPA, right?

Nope. WGA. Windows Genuine Authentication.

Actually, Windows Genuine Advantage.

Anyway, I called them this morning and spoke to Judy who got me through the process fairly quickly. The first time they seem to have hung up on me though. So it took 15 minutes instead of 10.

I wish MS would just look at some sort of unique ID on your CPU, or motherboard instead of getting all paranoid any time I change PCI cards or add some RAM.

 

[Shawn]

Can't be any worse than having to hack WGA all the time. I originally started using the corporate version of windows because I didn't want to have to deal with activation, but now with this WGA crap I'll probably reformat with my legal version next time I reinstall.

 

[imported_Stew]

Originally posted by: Shawn
Can't be any worse than having to hack WGA all the time. I originally started using the corporate version of windows because I didn't want to have to deal with activation, but now with this WGA crap I'll probably reformat with my legal version next time I reinstall.

There are easy ways to get around the WGA notifications. Just do a little googling. So long as you don't use the Windows Update site.

 

[clamum]

Is the activation specific to Service Pack 2? I've never had to do it and put in a new sound card and motherboard.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

I don't mind it at all. I reinstall every few months, or have to reactivate due to hardware changes, but the phone call never bothers me. Have a little patience and crack a :beer:, the customer service people have always been very nice and quick about it. 10 minutes is nothing, and all you have to do is tell them the truth (added new hardware, formatted for computer cleanliness, got a virus, whatever) and they activate it with no other questions. Don't be a sarcastic computer elitest and say you've got it installed on 10 computers... you don't joke to the people taking your tickets at the airport that you left your luggage alone for an hour and when you got back there was a wire hanging out of it.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: ThaGrandCow
I don't mind it at all. I reinstall every few months, or have to reactivate due to hardware changes, but the phone call never bothers me. Have a little patience and crack a :beer:, the customer service people have always been very nice and quick about it. 10 minutes is nothing, and all you have to do is tell them the truth (added new hardware, formatted for computer cleanliness, got a virus, whatever) and they activate it with no other questions. Don't be a sarcastic computer elitest and say you've got it installed on 10 computers... you don't joke to the people taking your tickets at the airport that you left your luggage alone for an hour and when you got back there was a wire hanging out of it.

So, basically you're saying that we should sit back and allow ourselves to be harassed by these copy protection schemes even though we've already paid good money for these products?

I'm glad that everyone out there doesn't have a "Bend me over and screw me" attitude like that, or Sony would still be putting rootkits on their CD's and the RIAA would have successfully sued every home music recording medium out of business by now.