Windows XP Question

[Atheras]

I don't have Windows XP, but have messed with it...and like it. And would like to update to it from Win98. But I've heard that with the standard Home/Professional versions that you have to register them, and that if you change more than five pieces of hardware in your computer that it locks you out and you have to call a CSR to get back into your PC. Any of this true?

The "forced registration" is something I don't really like...but would live with (I rarely register any of my software because I hate the massive amounts of junk mail/email/etc that you get).

The hardware lockout is what I really want to know about...I change processsors/mbs/videocards/etc constantly (like everyone else here) and want to know if this is true?

 

[Dahak]

you dont have to register windows xp, you just have to activate it. no need to supply personal information. As for the hardware changes. you can make any number of changes, its not going to ask you to re-activate if you example you change you video card. its is actaually a little more lax than some ppl seem to think. and if you do have to re-activate (i have had to do this numerous time at work(local computer shop) you can re-activate over the internet if it can, or call the toll free number and in about 5 min it will be activated, they have never given me any problems with it. generally they sometimes ask why, most times they dont.

hope that makes sense

 

[Atheras]

I see...so you activate it during installation then? And I would assume that it gathers info about the hardware you have in your computer. Basically a secruity feature to keep from the same copy (or CD-Key/Serial #) being installed on multiple PCs? This makes sense. For the most part, replacing computer hardware won't cause a reactivation...but in some cases it does? But even if it does require a reactivation it's not all that bad...ok cool.

Out of curiosity, what's the activation process when you first install? My PC gets it's internet thru another PC...so until network information can be setup with the new install, my PC wouldn't have internet access.

 

[kd7fhd]

some people have better luck with xp than others.

I have personally changed a floppy drive and hard drive at the same time and when I turned on my computer it said that because of major hardware changes I would have to reactivate immediately... I've been using Win 2000 ever since!

I gave my copy away and had it returned to me!!!

In it's defense, after a period of time I was able to reinstall it on my laptop and was able to activate it without making the phone call to BIG BROTHER BILL's flunkies. And since I can't change much hardware on the laptop it operates perfectly.

 

[cleverhandle]

Originally posted by: Atheras
Out of curiosity, what's the activation process when you first install? My PC gets it's internet thru another PC...so until network information can be setup with the new install, my PC wouldn't have internet access.

You don't need to activate immediately - you get something like 30 days before it locks down. And if it's really necessary, you can activate via phone or fax.

I've never had any major hassles with activation. I think a hardware change made me reactivate OEM XP Home once or twice - the activation phone number is quite well staffed (deliberately, I'm sure), so total time on the phone was certainly under 5 min. Probably more like 2. Painless.

 

[nutxo]

Originally posted by: kd7fhd
some people have better luck with xp than others.

I have personally changed a floppy drive and hard drive at the same time and when I turned on my computer it said that because of major hardware changes I would have to reactivate immediately... I've been using Win 2000 ever since!

I gave my copy away and had it returned to me!!!

In it's defense, after a period of time I was able to reinstall it on my laptop and was able to activate it without making the phone call to BIG BROTHER BILL's flunkies. And since I can't change much hardware on the laptop it operates perfectly.

WPA is ass. I have a rotating thing , i take turns installing server2003,xppro, xphome and winkpro,...

 

[EeyoreX]

WPA is ass. I have a rotating thing , i take turns installing server2003,xppro, xphome and winkpro,...

No comment...

Windows Activation is the subject of so much FUD it is no longer even mildly ammusing.

The "activate at install" process is painless. If your computer is correctly connected to the internet though your other PC you can activate in like one mouse click. I like to wait mostly, a couple days to be sure my hardware is all nice and setup how I want it, then activate. You can internet activate 3 times in 90 days before it will ask you to call MS (this is a painless 2 minute process, most of that time taken reading a number to them, and having them read a number back to you). After 90 days (I think that is correct) your product ID "count" returns to zero and you can activate online up to another 3 times. Basically, if you upgrade more than 6 pieces of hardware (this depends) you MAY have to recactivate. Motherboards (especially with many onboard components) and NICs tend to be the more heavily weighted hardware items that tend to trigger a reactivation. Hard drives, RAID controllers, media upgrades (TV tuner cards and the like) are weighted less heavily and allow for more leeway in how many you can install/change. If you don't activate in the allotted time (30 days) your computer will boot, but will not start the full Windows GUI until you activate via internet, phone or fax. You never have to register or send MS personal info if you are not comfortable doing so.

\Dan