old_geekster Posted December 22, 2006 Posted December 22, 2006 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! Well, I had my first run-in with M$ over their "Product Activation". I re-installed XP Pro last evening after screwing up my RAID 0 Array by trying to "Resize" the OS partition with Partition Magic. This is a no, no! Believe me. When I attempted to Activate my install, a message said that I had re-installed too many times. I would have to call to complete the Activation. So, this morning, I called the number on the screen. I got a nice lady who could actually speak very good English. Of course, typical of my nature, I had to voice my dismay at this out-rage. I knew the call was being recorded. I told her that I had not read where it said anything about a limited amount of "Activations". She assured me that it was there. However, this rule only applies to on-line Activation. It is unlimited on the same computer by phone. She gave me the Activation number and I was on my way. What a crock!! One other thing, I am now not using RAID. I could not get my USB Floppy Drive to install the drivers. So, I will be using two separate drives for awhile; until I am ready to do another phone Activation of XP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
laserred Posted December 22, 2006 Posted December 22, 2006 Yeah, it allows a max of like 3 automated activations, then after that you've got to call every time. It's a PITA, but they could be real @holes about it and say "one copy, one installation. Period." I usually get the Indian guy that I have to repeat back every string to make sure I got it, but other than that, a 3 minute free phone call is not too bad. Just remember, this software is only installed on this one computer only. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
radodrill Posted December 22, 2006 Posted December 22, 2006 One way around calling them is to backup the activation file and then just copy it back in in safe mode. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taowulf Posted December 22, 2006 Posted December 22, 2006 The good thing is that each activation call does not take long. Outsourcing it to India sucks, but being on hold for less than five minutes kicks butt. In the last year, I have called maybe....three times? Hell, I hit the on-line activation limit in the first week I had XP....I wasn't happy with the installs...I am sort of wierd that way. Ok, I am wierd in a lot of ways. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest thespin Posted December 22, 2006 Posted December 22, 2006 Yo, @radodrill, what's the name of the activation file ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Praz Posted December 22, 2006 Posted December 22, 2006 Yo, @radodrill, what's the name of the activation file ? wpa.dbl and wpa.bak in %systemroot%system32. This will not work if the reactivation is required because of a significant hardware change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwish68 Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 I usually make a backup of a clean install. when i need to reinstall i put back the backup. Activating online does not work for me anymore too, did it too often on my computer (s) I have to call them and explain that i had a hardware change that forced me to re-activate XP. They always ask me if it is installed on 1 computer, yes it is i tell him/her and i get the activation number. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WintersFury Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 but they could be real @holes about it and say "one copy, one installation. Period." That's apparently what their doing with Vista... You can only activate it once, so if you change much of your hardware it looks like you'll be eating a new copy of Vista as well... I'm going to start backing up fresh installs next time I install as calling them up or doing the online activation a few times a day for a week or two until it goes through is getting annoying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
red930 Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 haha I call them so much. most of them know me by first name. My Xp stoped working two years ago and I got 6 DFI PCs in this house Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
laserred Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 That's apparently what their doing with Vista... You can only activate it once, so if you change much of your hardware it looks like you'll be eating a new copy of Vista as well... I'm going to start backing up fresh installs next time I install as calling them up or doing the online activation a few times a day for a week or two until it goes through is getting annoying. Nah, it was in the last issue of Maximum PC, MS caved into the enthusiasts and modified the EULA to read the same as XP- one machine at a time, as long as it's uninstalled from the old one, you're fine to reactivate it as many times as you want. Consumer pressures do work sometimes! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
THEnumber337 Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Is this only with WinXP Pro that you have a maximum of 3 automated online activations? I have WinXP Home and I know that I have done reinstalls with online activations at least one or more times than three.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
red930 Posted December 23, 2006 Posted December 23, 2006 Is this only with WinXP Pro that you have a maximum of 3 automated online activations? I have WinXP Home and I know that I have done reinstalls with online activations at least one or more times than three.... my XP home only allowed me 10 times Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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