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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
About three days ago I posted a message here or in the hardware group
defending MS Activation because it took me less than 3 clicks; it was fast and easy. Well guess what. I hooked up a USB camera last night. I got a popup saying that before the effects could take place I had to reboot. When I rebooted, I got the Activation popup saying I my hardware configuration had changed. Before that I switched HDD's around and put in a new cd drive. I don't know how I could have exceeded anything. Anyway, I let the activation automatically dial me into their 800 number. I am on dial-up by the way. Then I got disconnected saying I had exceeded my activations. I then realized I was going to have to enter a 60 digit number, so I said screw it and opted out to talk directly to a rep. I was on hold for 4 minutes. When she came on, I told her all I did was connect a usb camera. She explained that everytime my hardware changed I would have to reactivate. I told her I had a new video card coming and a new DVD writer coming, so I had better wait before reactivating now because I don't want to have to go through this again when my new hardware arrives from newegg. She said I could not wait and that I was going to have to call out my 60 digit number and then she would reissue me a new number that I had to enter to reactivate. This whole process took exactly 10 minutes. And I am going to have to go through this every time I connect a USB camera? Are you kidding me? The camera is a cybershot and when I plug it into my USB hub it says found new hardware but you must reboot before changes can take effect. Will MS pay for me to get a card reader so I don't have to keep disconnecting my camera? I can't believe I am going to have to go through this again when my video card gets here. I am going to make damn sure I do the DVD writer at the same time. How much money is MS saving by doing this activation? I am telling you that I am actually thinking about getting an illegal copy of XP now!!!!! When I bought this XP from Circuit City, you guys should have had this disclaimer on it: WARNING: Microsoft now makes it very inconvenient for you to use XP if you are going to build your own computer. |
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#2
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
Bull ****
"Mark Smith" wrote in message ... About three days ago I posted a message here or in the hardware group defending MS Activation because it took me less than 3 clicks; it was fast and easy. Well guess what. I hooked up a USB camera last night. I got a popup saying that before the effects could take place I had to reboot. When I rebooted, I got the Activation popup saying I my hardware configuration had changed. Before that I switched HDD's around and put in a new cd drive. I don't know how I could have exceeded anything. Anyway, I let the activation automatically dial me into their 800 number. I am on dial-up by the way. Then I got disconnected saying I had exceeded my activations. I then realized I was going to have to enter a 60 digit number, so I said screw it and opted out to talk directly to a rep. I was on hold for 4 minutes. When she came on, I told her all I did was connect a usb camera. She explained that everytime my hardware changed I would have to reactivate. I told her I had a new video card coming and a new DVD writer coming, so I had better wait before reactivating now because I don't want to have to go through this again when my new hardware arrives from newegg. She said I could not wait and that I was going to have to call out my 60 digit number and then she would reissue me a new number that I had to enter to reactivate. This whole process took exactly 10 minutes. And I am going to have to go through this every time I connect a USB camera? Are you kidding me? The camera is a cybershot and when I plug it into my USB hub it says found new hardware but you must reboot before changes can take effect. Will MS pay for me to get a card reader so I don't have to keep disconnecting my camera? I can't believe I am going to have to go through this again when my video card gets here. I am going to make damn sure I do the DVD writer at the same time. How much money is MS saving by doing this activation? I am telling you that I am actually thinking about getting an illegal copy of XP now!!!!! When I bought this XP from Circuit City, you guys should have had this disclaimer on it: WARNING: Microsoft now makes it very inconvenient for you to use XP if you are going to build your own computer. |
#3
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
Product Activation Facts
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx Windows XP Product Activation http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php -- Carey Frisch Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User Microsoft Community Newsgroups news://msnews.microsoft.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Mark Smith" wrote: | About three days ago I posted a message here or in the hardware group | defending MS Activation because it took me less than 3 clicks; it was fast | and easy. Well guess what. | | I hooked up a USB camera last night. I got a popup saying that before the | effects could take place I had to reboot. When I rebooted, I got the | Activation popup saying I my hardware configuration had changed. | | Before that I switched HDD's around and put in a new cd drive. I don't know | how I could have exceeded anything. Anyway, I let the activation | automatically dial me into their 800 number. I am on dial-up by the way. | | Then I got disconnected saying I had exceeded my activations. I then | realized I was going to have to enter a 60 digit number, so I said screw it | and opted out to talk directly to a rep. I was on hold for 4 minutes. When | she came on, I told her all I did was connect a usb camera. She explained | that everytime my hardware changed I would have to reactivate. | | I told her I had a new video card coming and a new DVD writer coming, so I | had better wait before reactivating now because I don't want to have to go | through this again when my new hardware arrives from newegg. | | She said I could not wait and that I was going to have to call out my 60 | digit number and then she would reissue me a new number that I had to enter | to reactivate. | | This whole process took exactly 10 minutes. And I am going to have to go | through this every time I connect a USB camera? Are you kidding me? | | The camera is a cybershot and when I plug it into my USB hub it says found | new hardware but you must reboot before changes can take effect. | | Will MS pay for me to get a card reader so I don't have to keep | disconnecting my camera? I can't believe I am going to have to go through | this again when my video card gets here. I am going to make damn sure I do | the DVD writer at the same time. | | How much money is MS saving by doing this activation? I am telling you that | I am actually thinking about getting an illegal copy of XP now!!!!! | | When I bought this XP from Circuit City, you guys should have had this | disclaimer on it: | | WARNING: Microsoft now makes it very inconvenient for you to use XP if you | are going to build your own computer. |
#4
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
Oh I just remembered. I got 1gig of ram coming too. I am sure that will
cause a red flag regarding activation. "Mark Smith" wrote in message ... About three days ago I posted a message here or in the hardware group defending MS Activation because it took me less than 3 clicks; it was fast and easy. Well guess what. I hooked up a USB camera last night. I got a popup saying that before the effects could take place I had to reboot. When I rebooted, I got the Activation popup saying I my hardware configuration had changed. Before that I switched HDD's around and put in a new cd drive. I don't know how I could have exceeded anything. Anyway, I let the activation automatically dial me into their 800 number. I am on dial-up by the way. Then I got disconnected saying I had exceeded my activations. I then realized I was going to have to enter a 60 digit number, so I said screw it and opted out to talk directly to a rep. I was on hold for 4 minutes. When she came on, I told her all I did was connect a usb camera. She explained that everytime my hardware changed I would have to reactivate. I told her I had a new video card coming and a new DVD writer coming, so I had better wait before reactivating now because I don't want to have to go through this again when my new hardware arrives from newegg. She said I could not wait and that I was going to have to call out my 60 digit number and then she would reissue me a new number that I had to enter to reactivate. This whole process took exactly 10 minutes. And I am going to have to go through this every time I connect a USB camera? Are you kidding me? The camera is a cybershot and when I plug it into my USB hub it says found new hardware but you must reboot before changes can take effect. Will MS pay for me to get a card reader so I don't have to keep disconnecting my camera? I can't believe I am going to have to go through this again when my video card gets here. I am going to make damn sure I do the DVD writer at the same time. How much money is MS saving by doing this activation? I am telling you that I am actually thinking about getting an illegal copy of XP now!!!!! When I bought this XP from Circuit City, you guys should have had this disclaimer on it: WARNING: Microsoft now makes it very inconvenient for you to use XP if you are going to build your own computer. |
#5
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
----- Original Message -----
From: "BigJIm" Sent: Wednesday, December 07, 2005 11:01 AM Subject: Activation-How do I stop the insanity? Bull **** All my phone calls are taped. I will soon be putting a copy of the phone call online. Stay tuned. BTW, thank you for your professionalism and intellectual response. |
#6
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
Mark Smith wrote:
About three days ago I posted a message here or in the hardware group defending MS Activation because it took me less than 3 clicks; it was fast and easy. Well guess what. I hooked up a USB camera last night. I got a popup saying that before the effects could take place I had to reboot. When I rebooted, I got the Activation popup saying I my hardware configuration had changed. Before that I switched HDD's around and put in a new cd drive. I don't know how I could have exceeded anything. Anyway, I let the activation automatically dial me into their 800 number. I am on dial-up by the way. Then I got disconnected saying I had exceeded my activations. I then realized I was going to have to enter a 60 digit number, so I said screw it and opted out to talk directly to a rep. I was on hold for 4 minutes. When she came on, I told her all I did was connect a usb camera. She explained that everytime my hardware changed I would have to reactivate. I told her I had a new video card coming and a new DVD writer coming, so I had better wait before reactivating now because I don't want to have to go through this again when my new hardware arrives from newegg. She said I could not wait and that I was going to have to call out my 60 digit number and then she would reissue me a new number that I had to enter to reactivate. This whole process took exactly 10 minutes. And I am going to have to go through this every time I connect a USB camera? Are you kidding me? The camera is a cybershot and when I plug it into my USB hub it says found new hardware but you must reboot before changes can take effect. Will MS pay for me to get a card reader so I don't have to keep disconnecting my camera? I can't believe I am going to have to go through this again when my video card gets here. I am going to make damn sure I do the DVD writer at the same time. How much money is MS saving by doing this activation? I am telling you that I am actually thinking about getting an illegal copy of XP now!!!!! When I bought this XP from Circuit City, you guys should have had this disclaimer on it: WARNING: Microsoft now makes it very inconvenient for you to use XP if you are going to build your own computer. It wouldn't activate online? Weird. Just goes to show, once again, that activation only inconveniences the paying customers whilst the crackers just go about their cracking and laughing the whole time. Alias |
#7
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
Carey Frisch [MVP] wrote:
Product Activation Facts http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx Windows XP Product Activation http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.php According to your links, the OP shouldn't have had to activate. Can you explain why he had to? Thanks, Alias |
#8
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
"Alias" wrote in
Mark Smith wrote: It wouldn't activate online? Weird. No, no. I am sure it would have activated online had I typed in those long digits. I was so frustrated and new I had new hardware coming that I decided to call instead. Obiviously typing would have been faster, and next time that is what I will do. |
#9
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
Mark Smith wrote: "Alias" wrote in Mark Smith wrote: It wouldn't activate online? Weird. No, no. I am sure it would have activated online had I typed in those long digits. I was so frustrated and new I had new hardware coming that I decided to call instead. Obiviously typing would have been faster, and next time that is what I will do. Since you are not paying for the telephone call (to an 800 number), then make it as often as you like. Microsoft has to pay for these calls. It is your privilege to do so. |
#10
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
How to get around the activation problems:
How to format/reinstall Windows without having to Register or Activate. Keep your activation status intact when reinstalling XP Have you ever wanted to reformat the hard disk and reinstall Windows XP on a system but you did not want to mess around with Microsoft's Product Activation after the reinstall? Fortunately, you do not have to. As long as you are not making any hardware alterations, you can back up the activation status files before you reformat the hard drive and then restore them after you reinstall the operating system. To perform the backup, follow these steps: 1. Use Windows Explorer to open the C:\Windows\System32 folder. 2. Copy the Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files to a floppy disk or CD. To perform the restore, follow these steps: 1. Decline the activation request at the end of the installation procedure, and restart Windows XP. 2. During boot up, press F8 to access the Windows Advanced Options menu. 3. Choose the Safe Mode (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal) option. 4. Use Windows Explorer to open the C:\Windows\System32 folder. 5. If they exist, rename the new Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files to Wpadbl.new and Wpabak.new. 6. Copy the original Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files from the floppy disk or CD to the C:\Windows\System32 folder. 7. Restart the system. -- Peter XP Home SP2 Fully Updated P4 HT @ 3.0ghz, 360gb HDD, 2.0gb DDR. "Mark Smith" wrote in message .. . "Alias" wrote in Mark Smith wrote: It wouldn't activate online? Weird. No, no. I am sure it would have activated online had I typed in those long digits. I was so frustrated and new I had new hardware coming that I decided to call instead. Obiviously typing would have been faster, and next time that is what I will do. |
#11
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
Thank you for replying, but I have to be honest. This process below will
take just as long as doing activation online. "Peter" ex-brit AT rogers DOT com wrote in message ... How to get around the activation problems: How to format/reinstall Windows without having to Register or Activate. Keep your activation status intact when reinstalling XP Have you ever wanted to reformat the hard disk and reinstall Windows XP on a system but you did not want to mess around with Microsoft's Product Activation after the reinstall? Fortunately, you do not have to. As long as you are not making any hardware alterations, you can back up the activation status files before you reformat the hard drive and then restore them after you reinstall the operating system. To perform the backup, follow these steps: 1. Use Windows Explorer to open the C:\Windows\System32 folder. 2. Copy the Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files to a floppy disk or CD. To perform the restore, follow these steps: 1. Decline the activation request at the end of the installation procedure, and restart Windows XP. 2. During boot up, press F8 to access the Windows Advanced Options menu. 3. Choose the Safe Mode (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal) option. 4. Use Windows Explorer to open the C:\Windows\System32 folder. 5. If they exist, rename the new Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files to Wpadbl.new and Wpabak.new. 6. Copy the original Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files from the floppy disk or CD to the C:\Windows\System32 folder. 7. Restart the system. -- Peter XP Home SP2 Fully Updated P4 HT @ 3.0ghz, 360gb HDD, 2.0gb DDR. "Mark Smith" wrote in message news:%23fDHK%231% |
#12
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
True ;-)
-- Peter XP Home SP2 Fully Updated P4 HT @ 3.0ghz, 360gb HDD, 2.0gb DDR. "Mark Smith" wrote in message ... Thank you for replying, but I have to be honest. This process below will take just as long as doing activation online. "Peter" ex-brit AT rogers DOT com wrote in message ... How to get around the activation problems: How to format/reinstall Windows without having to Register or Activate. Keep your activation status intact when reinstalling XP Have you ever wanted to reformat the hard disk and reinstall Windows XP on a system but you did not want to mess around with Microsoft's Product Activation after the reinstall? Fortunately, you do not have to. As long as you are not making any hardware alterations, you can back up the activation status files before you reformat the hard drive and then restore them after you reinstall the operating system. To perform the backup, follow these steps: 1. Use Windows Explorer to open the C:\Windows\System32 folder. 2. Copy the Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files to a floppy disk or CD. To perform the restore, follow these steps: 1. Decline the activation request at the end of the installation procedure, and restart Windows XP. 2. During boot up, press F8 to access the Windows Advanced Options menu. 3. Choose the Safe Mode (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal) option. 4. Use Windows Explorer to open the C:\Windows\System32 folder. 5. If they exist, rename the new Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files to Wpadbl.new and Wpabak.new. 6. Copy the original Wpa.dbl and Wpa.bak files from the floppy disk or CD to the C:\Windows\System32 folder. 7. Restart the system. -- Peter XP Home SP2 Fully Updated P4 HT @ 3.0ghz, 360gb HDD, 2.0gb DDR. "Mark Smith" wrote in message news:%23fDHK%231% |
#13
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
In message "Mark Smith"
wrote: Then I got disconnected saying I had exceeded my activations. I then realized I was going to have to enter a 60 digit number, so I said screw it and opted out to talk directly to a rep. I was on hold for 4 minutes. That was rather stupid of you. You could have completed activation within that 4 minute window you were on hold. -- I've given up on sigs. I just couldn't think of anything clever to say. |
#14
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
I had questions to ask the tech....if you had read the rest of my post. And
how would I know how long it would take seeing as how this was the first time the process took place? Keep up the good work with your witty and scholarly replies, okay? "DevilsPGD" wrote in That was rather stupid of you. You could have completed activation within that 4 minute window you were on hold. |
#15
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Activation-How do I stop the insanity?
"Mark Smith" wrote:
About three days ago I posted a message here or in the hardware group defending MS Activation because it took me less than 3 clicks; it was fast and easy. Well guess what. I hooked up a USB camera last night. I got a popup saying that before the effects could take place I had to reboot. When I rebooted, I got the Activation popup saying I my hardware configuration had changed. Before that I switched HDD's around and put in a new cd drive. I don't know how I could have exceeded anything. Anyway, I let the activation automatically dial me into their 800 number. I am on dial-up by the way. Then I got disconnected saying I had exceeded my activations. I then realized I was going to have to enter a 60 digit number, so I said screw it and opted out to talk directly to a rep. I was on hold for 4 minutes. When she came on, I told her all I did was connect a usb camera. She explained that everytime my hardware changed I would have to reactivate. I told her I had a new video card coming and a new DVD writer coming, so I had better wait before reactivating now because I don't want to have to go through this again when my new hardware arrives from newegg. She said I could not wait and that I was going to have to call out my 60 digit number and then she would reissue me a new number that I had to enter to reactivate. Have you read the article on activation by the late Alex Nichol MVP at http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm ? That explains how the activation process works, and indicates which specific hardware components are monitored for changes. It is important to realize that the hardware changes are cumulative since the last actual activation, so that it can be a single, seemingly quite trivial, hardware change such as adding more RAM or replacing the CDROM drive that can trigger the need to reactivate. Good luck Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada -- Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006) On-Line Help Computer Service http://onlinehelp.bc.ca |
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