XP MCE OEM version - ripoff?

[Perryg114]

I just bought an OEM version of XP MCE and I just installed it (once) and it says the number of installs for this software has been exceeded when I try to activate. I have NEVER had this problem before.

Is there a difference in the install frequency allowed by an OEM version versus a retail version? I was under the impression there was no difference in the two other than the retail version came in a fancy box with more crap in it. I never had this problem with just plain XP pro. Their may be something messed up about my copy anyway. It came with two identical labled disk one's and a disk two and the MCE disk. This seems like a mistake to me and maybe the cause of the activation problems.

I really don't want to have to get on the phone for 30 mins with Punjab in India everytime I need to reconfigure my system.

Perry

 

[drebo]

OEM versions are typically only allowed to be activated once (I think this resets after like 90 days or something like that...they've changed it).

Calling them should take no more than 5 minutes. I've never had to wait longer than that to activate. Many times, it'll even activate it automatically without you having to speak to a person.

 

[Smilin]

It says the number of installs has been exceeded the first time you install it?

Something smells fishy. Who did you buy it from?

 

[tomt4535]

Yeah, that sounds fishy to me. Calling them dosent take long, just tell them your situation and they should activate it for you. My copy of MCE came with 3 disks, 2 for the actual windows install, and one with rollup 2 on it.

 

[bruceb]

It sounds like the store that sold it, was illegally selling a OEM Volume License version of the software.
That is why the activation limit is exceeded. Volume License keys have a specific number of installs
allowed, depending on what the purchaser paid for initially.

 

[RebateMonger]

I doubt there's Volume licensing for MCE 2005. Only the OEM version and, I assume, a "Royalty" version used by the large OEMS (Dell and HP). Normally, the OEM CDs and COA sticker would come in a sealed package. But I've never bought MCE 2005, so I'm not positive about the packaging.

 

[drebo]

Packaging is identical to XP Home and Pro, just the book inside is a different color.

 

[videopho]

Originally posted by: Perryg114
I really don't want to have to get on the phone for 30 mins with Punjab in India everytime I need to reconfigure my system.

Perry

Not really!
I did reinstall XP on one of my old rigs when I reconfigured the mobo. All it took was less than 10 minutes and have the new license key provided.