Too many activations..

[postmortemIA]

not an OEM copy of XP Pro, so last time I tried to activate it, it was in Feb 2007, I had to call them, and then I got that long key...

..built new rig last weekend, tried to activate it again, and again same problem.

What I thought is that key gets reset after few months, so that yo ucan again simply activate over internet.

 

[oldman420]

the license for that OS is for one computer only so the product id generated by the new rig is not a match hence the problem.
new hardware = need to buy a new license.
sorry

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: oldman420
the license for that OS is for one computer only so the product id generated by the new rig is not a match hence the problem.
new hardware = need to buy a new license.
sorry

I said "not an OEM".

 

[John]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: oldman420
the license for that OS is for one computer only so the product id generated by the new rig is not a match hence the problem.
new hardware = need to buy a new license.
sorry</end quote></div>

I said "not an OEM".

Pull up the activate windows option, choose telephone, call 1-888-571-2048 and activate by phone. If you answer the automated questions correctly you get an automatic confirmation code since MS redesigned the process.

 

[bsobel]

What I thought is that key gets reset after few months, so that yo ucan again simply activate over internet.

It should be ~120 days, but they wijndow could be larger now. Your thread title is misleading, nothing has been revoked, you've just need to call to activate.

 

[VirtualLarry]

At least MS gives you a grace period, in which they reset the activation count. Too bad Symantec doesn't do that. *wink wink* *nudge nudge*.

I know at least one person, personally, that paid for software that they could not use, because they were having system problems, and had to restore and reinstall too many times, and their paid-for legitimate software became useless, once their activation count was depleted.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
At least MS gives you a grace period, in which they reset the activation count. Too bad Symantec doesn't do that. *wink wink* *nudge nudge*.

I know at least one person, personally, that paid for software that they could not use, because they were having system problems, and had to restore and reinstall too many times, and their paid-for legitimate software became useless, once their activation count was depleted.

Your statement that we don't do this as well is also false. If your friend exists have him email me and I can escalate the issue thru support.

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: bsobel
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
At least MS gives you a grace period, in which they reset the activation count. Too bad Symantec doesn't do that. *wink wink* *nudge nudge*.

I know at least one person, personally, that paid for software that they could not use, because they were having system problems, and had to restore and reinstall too many times, and their paid-for legitimate software became useless, once their activation count was depleted.</end quote></div>

Your statement that we don't do this as well is also false. If your friend exists have him email me and I can escalate the issue thru support.

Just call...well I don't want to call, I just want to use it.

If the Microsoft cared enough to allow deactivation, so power user can do it and not deal with call centers.

 

[bsobel]

Just call...well I don't want to call, I just want to use it.

I never said 'just call' or anything of the sort. I pointed out your thread title was wrong, as nothing has been revoked as you stated. Also, I was correcting VL's misinformaton about Symantec.

If the Microsoft cared enough to allow deactivation, so power user can do it and not deal with call centers.

It's not that simple, there is already concern some malware will target the activation process. Exposing a deactivation scheme security wise is much riskier. I deactivate you, use your key on my box, now your stuck in the cold. There are various ways to game this, none of which turn out well for the average user, and that did factor into the decision.

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: bsobel
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Just call...well I don't want to call, I just want to use it.</end quote></div>

I never said 'just call' or anything of the sort. I pointed out your thread title was wrong, as nothing has been revoked as you stated. Also, I was correcting VL's misinformaton about Symantec.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>If the Microsoft cared enough to allow deactivation, so power user can do it and not deal with call centers.</end quote></div>

It's not that simple, there is already concern some malware will target the activation process. Exposing a deactivation scheme security wise is much riskier. I deactivate you, use your key on my box, now your stuck in the cold. There are various ways to game this, none of which turn out well for the average user, and that did factor into the decision.

The key is revoked, I cannot use it to , it is what error says " your have exceeded maximum number of activations for this key, get the new one"

 

[bsobel]

The key is revoked, I cannot use it to , it is what error says " your have exceeded maximum number of activations for this key, get the new one"

What is the *exact* text your getting, because the above (even presuming your was a typo) is not a message you get from the activation process. You would be told to call the 800 number, never 'get the new one'

 

[John]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
The key is revoked, I cannot use it to , it is what error says " your have exceeded maximum number of activations for this key, get the new one"

Please post a screenshot!

What you are trying to say is that the screen that you're referring to has a telephone option and a change key option. Seriously, if you can't pick up the phone and spend less than 5 min. to get a confirmation code then maybe it's time to switch to Linux.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: John
Seriously, if you can't pick up the phone and spend less than 5 min. to get a confirmation code then maybe it's time to switch to Linux.

Yup. Your applications and games may not quite work, but no more of those annoying 5-minute Activation calls once every several years:
http://ubuntu.com

 

[postmortemIA]

that was my free interpretation of message, i didn't bother to remember it by heart for you guys. Nah I didn't call them, why would I want to deal with them again, when I got another key from MSDNAA that I haven't used yet... these keys are not to be sold, so it is use them or lose them.

I called once; it wasn't fun, these guys lack basic customer skills, they would talk at same time when i am talking... yeah it was asian call center.

 

[bsobel]

Oh ok, there are a couple trojans which emulate the windows activaton screens. Given the bad wording, I thought maybe that was the issue...

 

[RebateMonger]

MSDNAA Keys likely don't get reset. You never said you were using those. If you want your problems solved, it helps if you give all the details.

RETAIL keys originally got reset after 120 days. Likely, OEM Keys got reset too.

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
MSDNAA Keys likely don't get reset. You never said you were using those. If you want your problems solved, it helps if you give all the details.

RETAIL keys originally got reset after 120 days. Likely, OEM Keys got reset too.

MSDNAA keys do get reset eventually too.. it happened to me once that key did get reset eventually.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

I called once; it wasn't fun, these guys lack basic customer skills, they would talk at same time when i am talking... yeah it was asian call center.

As I said before, the activation regime has changed. Call in and use the phone keypad or say your numbers, answer a few automated questions correctly, and you do not have to speak to Bob in India.

Even then I've activated hundreds of times over the past 6 years and none of the reps were ever rude or had an accent that I simply could not understand. You've wasted more time in this thread than what it takes to phone in an activation. :thumbsdown:

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: John
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: postmortemIA

I called once; it wasn't fun, these guys lack basic customer skills, they would talk at same time when i am talking... yeah it was asian call center.</end quote></div>

As I said before, the activation regime has changed. Call in and use the phone keypad or say your numbers, answer a few automated questions correctly, and you do not have to speak to Bob in India.

Even then I've activated hundreds of times over the past 6 years and none of the reps were ever rude or had an accent that I simply could not understand. You've wasted more time in this thread than what it takes to phone in an activation. :thumbsdown:

:thumbsup:

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA
key from MSDNAA

if that tidbit had been in op or title ..would've saved me (and probably others as well) from entering this thread ..thank you in advance for an edit

 

[Anubis]

i called and activated the same copy of XP 7 times in the last 4 days, fing PITA lappy and its issues, never had an issue, and i swear i spoke to the same spanish sounding lady named twice

 

[VirtualLarry]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: RebateMonger
RETAIL keys originally got reset after 120 days. Likely, OEM Keys got reset too.</end quote></div>

So when do Symantec keys officially get auto-reset?

Edit: Itunes' activation scheme is actually the best that I've seen thus far. It allows "activation" of up to five machines for any particular song, and it allows user-controlled de-activation of machines. Yet, I haven't seen any malware targeting Itunes and de-activating people's libraries of music.

 

[orion23]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: bsobel
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
At least MS gives you a grace period, in which they reset the activation count. Too bad Symantec doesn't do that. *wink wink* *nudge nudge*.

I know at least one person, personally, that paid for software that they could not use, because they were having system problems, and had to restore and reinstall too many times, and their paid-for legitimate software became useless, once their activation count was depleted.</end quote></div>

Your statement that we don't do this as well is also false. If your friend exists have him email me and I can escalate the issue thru support.
</end quote></div>

This is not false information!

Symantec is a real pain to deal with. I know because I have always used their products, and lately, I'm thinking of switching...

Anyway, when Vista came out, Symantec updated the NIS version to 7.02 to make it Vista friendly and users could get the new installation file for free.

When I first called, I was told by @ least 3 CSR's that I had to RE-PURCHASE the damn software.

Now, about 2 weeks ago, my brother got a new MB, and RAM, and decided to lower his overclock. Also installed Vista.

Symantec refused to activate the product because it had been activated too many times and the "new computer" was being detected by their server.

I spent a good 8 hours (different times) fighting my case, and every time I was told that I had to buy a new license.

I actually had a spare license, not even activated, but I refused to use it since I thought this whole thing was unfair.

Anyway, I found a way to get in touch with the Symantec's HQ and requested a call back from the TOP people about my case.

A few days later, someone called me and told me that I was OK to go and that I could again use my Norton product.

Most users will not go this far when a company treats them this way.

I am ready to look for a new AntiVirus company!

 

[John]

Originally posted by: orion23
Symantec refused to activate the product because it had been activated too many times and the "new computer" was being detected by their server.

I spent a good 8 hours (different times) fighting my case, and every time I was told that I had to buy a new license.

I don't know about you, but 8 hours of your time should be worth more than $25.

 

[Nocturnal]

All you need to do is call the damn number, type in the activation code, it is going to ask you a few questions and spit out the code. If you can't be bothered to do that then I suggest quitting the Internet and finding a new hobby.