XP harware change limit question

[NL5]

Is there a difference in the hardware change limit between a retail and OEM version of XP? I have never heard of this, but someone is telling me that the OEM doesn't allows as many changes when re-installing.

Thanks.

NL5

 

[Dahak]

the hardware limit change is how much hardware to change before re-activating it over the internet, and if you cant re-activate it that way you can just call them up and they will re-activate it without any problems.

As far as a limit, iirc correctly its the same between both.

 

[LTC8K6]

You can change anything you want. At worst, you'll have to call them up. Just tell them your motherboard went bad and you had to replace it if you want to move the installation to a different computer. I had no trouble. They will ask you how many computers you have it installed on. You know what to say, right?

 

[NL5]

I just want to know if there is a difference in the number of hardware changes between the retail and OEM versions? I don't think there is, but I just want to be sure.

 

[LTC8K6]

All mine are OEM versions. Just keep a ready supply of reasonable stories handy.

 

[LTC8K6]

FAQ

There's quite a bit of info here on activation/reactivation and how Windows determines what.

 

[NL5]

Thanks

 

[NL5]

Thanks

 

[Googer]

What really scares me about Microsoft's activation scheme, is one day you may have to do an emergency format and be out of luck. Because they decided to no longer support XP and stopped all activation in order to force us all to $buy$ something else even if our hardware cannot support it. Imagine if we all had to activate windows 98 this way, Microsoft would have stoped alowing new installs a year or two ago. This whole activation crap is an attempt to get us to needlessly upgrade to Winshit XP 2005 or what ever they will call it. Scary isn't it. I believe its all part of the Microsoft monopoly scam. Enough is enough, time for some consumer backlash.

 

[LTC8K6]

I believe MS has decided to support WIN98 until mid 2006. They will do the extended support with XP as well.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
I believe MS has decided to support WIN98 until mid 2006. They will do the extended support with XP as well.

I think you got my point there, i was using 98 (Could be 95) as an example of what could happen to xp users. MS might drop a bomb, leave you high and dry, and say sorry.

 

[Randabis]

Meh, I think you're just being a little too paranoid there.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Randabis
Meh, I think you're just being a little too paranoid there.

I would rather this whole registration scheme MS USES , has TO go away. It is bad for consumers to have a corporation controlling what we do to our PC's. We need consumer backlash.

 

[Marine]

I hope that MS doesn't monitor this thread, but I have a copy of XP Pro that I have installed and reinstalled at least 20 times. I should note all on my own three computers and not for commercial use. But in all these activations I have never encountered a problem or had to call MS for activation. Maybe they treat Pro different from Home? dlk

 

[LTC8K6]

"MS might drop a bomb, leave you high and dry, and say sorry."

As long as they don't do it too early, I am in favor of getting folks to move on.

You really can't keep supporting stuff forever, there has to be a reasonable time limit.

 

[Googer]

I don't like that Idea. It would be like buying a VCR and After 90days when the warrenty expires, you see a message on the TV saying: "support for this product has ended, you must purchase another player if you wish to continue". When I buy some thing I want to be the one who decides when It is time for it to be replaced, Not some money hungry corporation, that does not care about my needs, requirements, or desire. It's another attempt by Microsoft to take away another choice fron the consumer (after they killed the competitor). What could be coming soon and is what I am fearing most is Microsoft Windows Subscription based services.


Goto the start menu: Click on the Customer ICON and Find a program Called MSbackLASH.exe Lets fight the GIANT before they take over everything, and while we still have a chance.

 

[mastertech01]

I think the day will come when XP will no longer have to have activation... it will likely be a service pack addition or patch. When the newest, latest greatest comes about, they wont likely want to fund activation for all thier OS. IMHO

 

[Philippine Mango]

Originally posted by: Googer

Goto the start menu: Click on the Customer ICON and Find a program Called MSbackLASH.exe Lets fight the GIANT before they take over everything, and while we still have a chance.

Crap, I can't find it. Maybe it's because mine isn't OEM?

 

[LTC8K6]

Sure Googer, 90 days would be ridiculous. No argument there. 8 years wouldn't be ridiculous, imo.

I don't know many companies that continue to support everything they have made.

I do work for such a company, though.

 

[SilentRunning]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Sure Googer, 90 days would be ridiculous. No argument there. 8 years wouldn't be ridiculous, imo.

I don't know many companies that continue to support everything they have made.

I do work for such a company, though.

Well activation really isn't support in the normal sense. They require you activate the software to use it.

But I do seem to remember reading something posted on Microsoft's site that indicated Microsoft would probably remove the activation requirement at the time they quit supporting it.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Sure Googer, 90 days would be ridiculous. No argument there. 8 years wouldn't be ridiculous, imo.

I don't know many companies that continue to support everything they have made.

I do work for such a company, though.

I do work for such a company, though.

Well then you are a puppet.

Sure Googer, 90 days would be ridiculous. No argument there. 8 years wouldn't be ridiculous, imo.

The amount of time is not the issue here. 90days or 9000 years, I want to be the one who decides that something is no longer worh keeping, not some corporation with profits on its mind.

The point is that when I buy something I want it to last for a long time, I dont want a corporation deciding when I should buy the latest and greatest. Just like I dont want my bank controlling my wallet. Deciding how to spend my money.

 

[Philippine Mango]

Agian there is no limit difference between OEM and Retail XP.