Windows XP Activation... WTF?

[Grendel]

Hey all,

I just bought win xp pro from newegg for $150. I installed it and activated it already. I'm in the process of building another comp and want to install it on there too, but It probably wont let me activate it since the new one will be different right?

Thats bunk.

I don't want to spend another $150 just to make my new computer work. Any way around the activation? If I call MS and tell them I just bought a new comp, will they let me activate it?

-Chris

[Oz]

No it won't let you activate it. That would be piracy. If you can get a hold of a corporate copy though, they don't require activation.

[Webmaster_Zeus]

Originally Posted by Oz

No it won't let you activate it. That would be piracy. If you can get a hold of a corporate copy though, they don't require activation.

Yep bingo, basically for software you buy licenses in the very essence, and with the software you just bought you bought a one user license, which means you require to purcharse another license to use another copy of windows xp.

Its all in the EULA if you CBF reading it. lol.

[Steel]

Get linux, it's free.

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by Oz

If you can get a hold of a corporate copy though, they don't require activation.

Oz! How could you even suggest such a thing!


Actualy XP pro will let you install it on differnt comps, and use the same code, and you can then chosse not to use the online activation.
basicly when you activate it make sure your not connected to the net, at all.
However, Im not sure if it will let you network the two comps, I know XP home won't and you can only find out with XP pro.
You did after all buy a legtimate copy, you should be able to install it on what ever personal systems you may own, its just a shame that MS dosn't see it that way (understandable given the amount of priracy).

[sameintheend01]

tell them that the old computers motherboard fried and you had to format the hard drive. That's what I said with my mom's non-coroporate edition.

[Grendel]

Originally Posted by Moppie

Oz! How could you even suggest such a thing!


Actualy XP pro will let you install it on differnt comps, and use the same code, and you can then chosse not to use the online activation.
basicly when you activate it make sure your not connected to the net, at all.
However, Im not sure if it will let you network the two comps, I know XP home won't and you can only find out with XP pro.
You did after all buy a legtimate copy, you should be able to install it on what ever personal systems you may own, its just a shame that MS dosn't see it that way (understandable given the amount of priracy).

There are two ways to activate it... over the net and over the phone. How exactly do i activate it without talking to a microsoft rep?

-Chris

[Moppie]

Really?
You must get a differnt version in the US to what we get down here.

All we have to do is click the activation and enter the basic stuff, user names etc.
There is no need to connect to the net (although it does ask to) and we certianly don't need to talk to anyone at Micro Soft.
Iv activated both XP home and Pro here (both legit copies) with out having to connect to the net, or talk to anyone.

[Webmaster_Zeus]

The reason for the Pro was to avoid the need for activation (hey you pay for it in the price tag). A legit Pro version with a valid serial no will allow you to avoid activation (activation is necessary for things like service pack install and various things, talking bout pro version here).

There are other ways to activate the software, but because of guideline rules I can't say, so the best I can say is, search it on google, its all on the net.

[tonioseven]

Originally Posted by Webmaster_Zeus

The reason for the Pro was to avoid the need for activation (hey you pay for it in the price tag). A legit Pro version with a valid serial no will allow you to avoid activation (activation is necessary for things like service pack install and various things, talking bout pro version here).

There are other ways to activate the software, but because of guideline rules I can't say, so the best I can say is, search it on google, its all on the net.

The man speaks the truth!

[Amish_kid]

The only reason they have activation is to get people to pay for the software. I mean win 98 could be installed on a bagillion computers and not be noticed it's just now that in a lot of foreign countries they won't buy software all together. And look out for Windows Longhorn big brother will be watchin.

[TexasF355F1]

Originally Posted by Amish_kid

The only reason they have activation is to get people to pay for the software. I mean win 98 could be installed on a bagillion computers and not be noticed it's just now that in a lot of foreign countries they won't buy software all together. And look out for Windows Longhorn big brother will be watchin.

Yea, Longhorn's gonna be some crazy freaky shit. And maybe Microsoft is taking there precious time with this one to improve their tarnished image of a bunk OS.

[Webmaster_Zeus]

Originally Posted by TexasF355F1

Yea, Longhorn's gonna be some crazy freaky shit. And maybe Microsoft is taking there precious time with this one to improve their tarnished image of a bunk OS.

That's what Microsoft said about XP too, that the activation method would eliminated a lot of piracy and illegal copies, but within months of the first service pack, chinese websites have already methods of how to work around the activation method.

Microsoft is one of a few companies which seems to have always getting itself in hot water, its not bad or nething but people hate their monopoly, so within months they always have security flaws.

Linux too I'm sure if we search for it would have a ton of security flaws, but because of propotion working on finding faults on Microsoft based products is more then Linux, it seems microsoft have the lower hand.

Whatever it is, you agreed to the EULA which means your basically rooted as the EULA even covers that you agree to the software being a legit copy (that is the licensing rights you bought it for).