Windows Activation

[gpse]

Hello, I upgraded my hard drive to a larger size and cloned my old drive image to the new drive using Seagate Discwizard software. However now Vista is telling me I need to re-activate? I am using a OEM version however I thought it only does that if I replace the motherboard? Anyone experience this before?

 

[hclarkjr]

welcome to the world of microsoft, 5 minute phone call and all will be well again anytime you mess with hardware you are risking reactivating windows

 

[amheck]

Assuming its a legit copy, just give them a call. No worries.

 

[corkyg]

For just a hard drive, that is unusual. I constantly change HDDs in all systems, XP Pro, Vista, etc., and never experience that -problem. The worst thing that happens is a "new hardware" reboot after cloning and swapping.

The phone call is easy and you shouold have no trouble reactivating.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: corkyg
For just a hard drive, that is unusual. I constantly change HDDs in all systems, XP Pro, Vista, etc., and never experience that -problem. The worst thing that happens is a "new hardware" reboot after cloning and swapping.

The phone call is easy and you shouold have no trouble reactivating.

There was probably other items changed in the past and this was the 'last straw'. Its very likely he can just activate online, he should try that before calling.

 

[Canterwood]

Originally posted by: hclarkjr
welcome to the world of microsoft, 5 minute phone call and all will be well again anytime you mess with hardware you are risking reactivating windows

Always been far more than 5 mins in my experience.

Activation is a PITA for the legitimate user.

 

[RebateMonger]

A recent thread here linked to a new MS article about Windows Activation with Vista and Server 2008. Surprisingly, the article indicated that changing a hard drive was a GUARANTEED Re-Activation.

I'm pretty sure that changing the hard drive (new Volume ID) in XP was only one "point" out of several needed before Re-Activation was required. It seems this has changed in Vista.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
A recent thread here linked to a new MS article about Windows Activation with Vista and Server 2008. Surprisingly, the article indicated that changing a hard drive was a GUARANTEED Re-Activation. I'm pretty sure that changing the hard drive (new Volume ID) in XP was only one "point" out of several needed before Re-Activation was required. It seems this has changed in Vista.

I change my hard driver every week on two Vista machines and one XP Pro machine. Never a reactivation. Been doing that with XP pro, 98, 95, 3.11,l and 3.0 for many years. Never a problem.

 

[gpse]

I gave them a call and was activated again in about 10 minutes.