View Full Version : Windows xp Activation
I have a Legit version of windows xp pro sp2 at home and also another copy that the college gave me for use at college and neither will activate, they both say i have an invalid key when i try to activate! the product installed fine, and a other people in my class are not having trouble as well, i phoned microsoft call center (some where in middle east i think) and they also said my Legit key was invalid and still proceded to give me an activation code to type in! I then proceded to send a email to microsoft saying this, and they said " cant help you call this expensive phone number on .......... for more assistance"
So i just cant understand the poor bug*ers that go out spend £80 on XP pro and then get told your CD KEY is INVALID!!! Understandably i was a bit mad at this.! :mad:
Wildcard
20-03-2005, 20:39
http://www.tranceaddict.com/forums/images/smilies/new/0509/scream.gif
Well that post had so much content :rolleyes: unucky Cking, hope you get it sorted :)
jsnemesis
20-03-2005, 20:58
Can you not go back to your college and tell them, and take back your own copy of XP and replace it?
It's a pain in the ****, but if the keys invalid, it's invalid
JS
a key provided on a COA is not invalid, they install fine! All the college keys have stoped working and have now been told that Sp1 codes will not work now either, so im guessing that one of the microsoft servers is down!
Sounds like it's the college's problem. Take it up with them. Unfortunately due to more anti-piracy measures you're going to have to do this sort of thing a lot more with software as time goes on.
Nick
so im guessing that one of the microsoft servers is down!
Sorry guys, but I've been told that online activation has been switched off by Microsoft! The weird thing is that it is likely to affect the genuine users more than the pirate copies (most of which have activation disabled).
I have a genuine version at home, holographic cd the works.
How long will they have the online activation turned off?? It sucks as my pc is no where near the phone and im against using the mobile to call a 0800 number!
six5tring
21-03-2005, 09:03
i had a lot of problems.. re-installed windows using Sp2 if you have an Sp1 key.. i ended up installed Sp1.. then Sp2 over the top. Dunno if that might help! - six
we activated a copy of pro sp2 on Friday, no probs at all!! Who told you they'd turned off online Activation?
Yeah but hes having the problem on a sunday, not friday, things do change ;)
as announced in the trade press....
ms have disabled all online activations to help combat piracy. if you want to activate, you have to phone.
it isn't an expensive call though.
that is rubbish! as i cant be bothered phoning to activate, i liked using the online method
Wildcard
21-03-2005, 18:38
Another reason Warez is better :)
Cable Monkey
21-03-2005, 19:28
Another reason Warez is better :)
To follow the tightening of the activation process, they will undoubtedly actively pursue the users of the warez versions (in the Western world at least). It is happening right across the spectrum of questionable uses of pc's (downloading copyrighted material etc etc). Be afraid!
Cosmo_1847
21-03-2005, 22:28
i hate windows activation. i have done it 7 times so far (3 times in one day once), same key, i have to ring them up, type in all the crap for them to tell me its invaild and then get the guy on the phone to tell me the key.
when i flashed my bios the first time it asked for the activation thing. but the computer was fine, it even loaded up my background, and i could do it over the internet cos my ethernet was disabled and you need to log in to use the wireless
we activated a copy of pro sp2 on Friday, no probs at all!! Who told you they'd turned off online Activation?
I think my dad read it in Computer Active.
Fireblade
22-03-2005, 02:03
Another reason Warez is better :)
Don't be surprised if/when that comment gets deleted Wildcard, and don't make any similar comments on the forums again :rolleyes:
If you need to ask why... read the forum rules!
For what it's worth, online activation worked fine for me last night :)
I am working with an old copy of XP Home, which has had SP2 "slipstreamed" into it. Activated first time no problem at all.
I might be wrong, but some of the stuff I am reading seems to suggest that it is more the big retailers, ie the OEM installers like DELL, PC World *spit* that are being forced to activate "pre-installed" OEM copies of XP before delivery rather than leaving it up to the individual.
Perhaps it is just the OEM serials that are being stopped from using online activation? Presumably Microsoft can easily identify OEM serials at the point you try and activate your copy :confused:
Cable Monkey
22-03-2005, 07:59
I thought their biggest problem was with 'pro' and 'corporate' versions of the o.s. If that is the case then tightening up on those should bring the biggest rewards while not troubling the hordes of 'Home' users who would be their biggest source of complaints. Those that can't/won't buy Windows better start swatting up on their Linux knowledge!
Betty_Swallocks
22-03-2005, 16:34
I've had problems with this ever since I bought my first copy of XP. I own 3 legitimate copies of XP Home, but as I rebuild my PCs on a regular basis I was always having to phone them up as the online activation never worked for me.
I have now resorted to installing cracked copies on all 3 machines to stop this hassle.
Please note that as I said before I own a genuine copy for each PC. I am NOT pirating it, just avoiding the need to call M$ every time I change anything on one of my machines.
edavies87
22-03-2005, 19:17
i activated over the net only last saturday!?
Ed
Fireblade
23-03-2005, 10:08
've had problems with this ever since I bought my first copy of XP. I own 3 legitimate copies of XP Home, but as I rebuild my PCs on a regular basis I was always having to phone them up as the online activation never worked for me.
I have now resorted to installing cracked copies on all 3 machines to stop this hassle.
Please note that as I said before I own a genuine copy for each PC. I am NOT pirating it, just avoiding the need to call M$ every time I change anything on one of my machines.
A simple 2 minute FREE phone call occasionally is too much hassle, and good enough reason for using cracked (pirate) software is it :rolleyes:
jsnemesis
23-03-2005, 10:12
A simple 2 minute FREE phone call occasionally is too much hassle, and good enough reason for using cracked (pirate) software is it :rolleyes:
It's not as if they say "Oh, you're using a pirared copy of XP, we're sending round a team of lawyers to beat your ass!"
They give you key, that's it. Oh and you don't have to give them any other information other than your activation key. It's really not that much hassle IMO.
JS
In only doing phone activation it cant send a hardware hash so you can install your legit or pirate version on more than one pc and they cant tell the differance! so its going to make things easier for pirates!
A simple 2 minute FREE phone call occasionally is too much hassle, and good enough reason for using cracked (pirate) software is it :rolleyes:
then I give you another the reason :p
do you know how much 80 quid (to buy an XP from M$) means in my country? thats more than average monthly income from normal workers/employer (around 30-40 quid/month) !!!
Fireblade
18-04-2005, 12:58
do you know how much 80 quid (to buy an XP from M$) means in my country?
Huh :confused:
No I don't, because... according to your 'location'... your from Manchester@UK?
I'd guess that is just his current location.
nahh, manchester is a different country... honest!
then I give you another the reason :p
do you know how much 80 quid (to buy an XP from M$) means in my country? thats more than average monthly income from normal workers/employer (around 30-40 quid/month) !!!
Surely its not that expensive in your country then, is it? If it is £80, M$ will never sell any. Or is a loaf of bread 70p and a pint £2.50 also? Surely its all reletive, unless your country is up **** creak?
lol guys...Im not British, Manchester just where I am rite now :p
DELETED
robdos : a load of bread is about 17p ;)
big adam: I didnt think it was some kind of promotion as what I said is just the fact ! sorry though :|
six5tring
18-04-2005, 17:18
You have to activated in after 30days. Right pee's me off people who don't buy things. When I got Cubase a couple of years ago it cost me the same as 5days work. Yes I could have downloaded a cracked copy. But it's a program I use, like and want to keep getting better!
XP activation... I did this a couple of weeks ago through the net. ?!?
Currently sorting out a couple of PC's with XP and SBS2003.. both.. what a suprise LEGIT!
six
jsnemesis
18-04-2005, 17:21
Currently sorting out a couple of PC's with XP and SBS2003.. both.. what a suprise LEGIT!
It's only a suprise to MS, who think everyone is running an illegal copy of Windows!
JS
matkubicki
18-04-2005, 23:33
I literally dont know anyone (bar university and a few companies) runing a legit version of Windows, its become very easy to get hold of illegal versions and people dont want to pay the £80 on top of the price for the PC. In one case i rang a large computer components company's support line for a close friend and admitted to them that the windows CD being used wasnt legit and the guy on the line said not to worry as neither was theirs!
I say this only as it makes me wonder how so many people can feel it worth it, is the price to high you have to ask? As a student it cost a lot of money to get my 4 windows licenses, i dont even fully understand the law relating to them, is it ok to pass your license onto someone else for example? (ie if you gave your copy of XP to your parents when you didnt need it anymore)
I say this only as it makes me wonder how so many people can feel it worth it, is the price to high you have to ask? As a student it cost a lot of money to get my 4 windows licenses, i dont even fully understand the law relating to them, is it ok to pass your license onto someone else for example? (ie if you gave your copy of XP to your parents when you didnt need it anymore)
Of course its worth it, its the piece of software which all the rest of your apps and games needs for it to run. People are willing to pay £35 for a new game, but WindowsXP is just over twice that.
AFAIK, once you have registered the WindowsXP serial number, you cannot transfer it to someone else (I think so).
it depends how you look at it. if you actually register the software rather than just activate it then it is non transferrable, but if you just activate it without supplying personal details it could be given to someone else.
Of course its worth it, its the piece of software which all the rest of your apps and games needs for it to run. People are willing to pay £35 for a new game, but WindowsXP is just over twice that.
AFAIK, once you have registered the WindowsXP serial number, you cannot transfer it to someone else (I think so).
I agree. I have a legit W2K license and two XP home licenses for my house.
In the office we have 10 XP Pro's, 10 XP Office Licenses, W2K Server, W2K3 Server, W2K3 SBE, Exchange, SQL 2000, W2K Web etc etc.
As far as I am concerned using unlicensed product is theft, whether you like M$ or not, it doesnt give you the right to take their product. Use Linux/Openoffice instead!
I hate the price of deisel at the moment, but when i fill up with £45 worth I dont think to myself this is a rip off and drive out of the station without paying!!!
six5tring
19-04-2005, 08:57
pay the £80 on top of the price for the PC.
PC's come with XP.. and if they don't surely software is something that you budget in! Happy to spend $$$ on hardware.. why not software? If you don't wanna pay for windows, use linux.. simple!
six
Cosmo_1847
19-04-2005, 11:29
for me i cant do online activation because i am on a wireless network which does not work until you have signed in (but i got a new one since then so i duno now) and the ethernet card is turned off as i dont use it. i think that Microsoft might be getting spiucsrere (cant spell) of me as i have used the same activation key over 5 times on the same pc.
first time i flashed the bios i had to do it, but any of the other times.
is there anyway to get the produce key sticker off the back of the computer case without breaking it as i have got a new case and the sticker is on the old one.
Fireblade
20-04-2005, 11:14
is there anyway to get the produce key sticker off the back of the computer case without breaking it
Try steaming it off - in the same way you remove a[n unused] stamp from an envelope.
Stand it next to a boiling kettle, so that the steam from the kettle spout softens the glue. Don't try to do it too soon though, or you'll still tear the sticker... but you should eventually manage to twist/slide it off?
Euphoria
20-04-2005, 12:47
You sound like you done that before Fireblade!
Or just stickers...
:p
He didn't imply he did, nor said it... Just mentioned thats how you get stickers off, im sure fireblade didn't mean anything else by that... lol
:D :p ;)
Damian,
Fireblade
20-04-2005, 14:50
OK... I admit it! I have indeed gotten steamed before :p
I've even removed a stamp from an envelope before :eek:
But [as I indicated in that <----- post]... it was a[n unused] stamp :D
Nick1988
20-04-2005, 17:50
how many components (graphics, mobo, ram etc) are you allowed to change before it asks you to reactivate it? thanks
Nick
six5tring
20-04-2005, 18:50
pretty much the mobo is what it all hinges on. can normally change the rest without problems - six
Fireblade
20-04-2005, 20:02
I'm sure Six is right... but as long as you're using a legit copy of XP, you needn't worry about how many changes you're allowed, coz it's easy enough to get activations reset via a 2min phone call ;)
six5tring
20-04-2005, 20:16
Yup but changing the mobo also often requires a reinstall of windows. :cool: or certainly a heafty OS repair- six
Nick1988
20-04-2005, 20:32
I see thanks for the help as in another thread I explained I had an oem version but only serial no cd. I bought a (cheap)mouse and oem version :cool: to get the disk yesterday. Im changing the mobo so reinstall xp ? does that mean I loose all my files? sorry total noob as my system which was prebult had xp already on the hardrive when ever i used the reboot disk! so do you think im going have some troubles?
thanks
Sorry im probly getting annoying with all the questions I have asked on xp activation over the last couple of days
Nick
Fireblade
20-04-2005, 20:43
When installing a new mobo, it's always best to reformat the HDD, and do a fresh/clean install.
Obviously though... if you've got any important files on the HDD, you should back 'em up to CD/DVD first - coz once you reformat... you will lose 'em :eek:
Also make sure you have the various drivers for yer hardware handy before you start the reformat/re-install as well (graphics card, sound card, mouse/keyboard, modem etc etc) ;)
Another alternative to backing up to CD/DVD (although that should be done as well), is to partition the HDD, and copy/backup important files to a folder on one of the other partitions - coz only the C:\ drive needs to be formatted if the drive is partitioned. The other partitions are safe
Nick1988
20-04-2005, 20:46
thanks for all your help most apprieciated! if I dont reformat my hdd will it cause problems? could I just use my reboot disk or would it be best to do it manualy?
Nick
davidmoore83
21-04-2005, 01:51
my apologies if this has been said but i am tired and am not gonna read through the whole thread. SORRY.
We have this issue at the moment here at Manc Uni. The uni has a **** load of OEM XP Disks all with keys. I asked my boss for a copy so i could go legit but he said MS have just scraped all the product keys on them. He said there was an article about it in one of his PC papers. I can't remember his exact explanation but i think MS have just cracked bigstyle. Weird because the uni bought all those copys.....oh well i am chatting crap now my sleeping pill is kicking in :D
Fireblade
21-04-2005, 11:02
if I dont reformat my hdd will it cause problems? could I just use my reboot disk or would it be best to do it manualy?
If you've got plenty of time to spare, you could certainly try alternatives first... but I honestly think a fresh install is gonna be best ;)
Nick1988
21-04-2005, 16:14
thank you for all your help im probly the most annoying person you have ever spoken to at the mo, but anyway thanks!
Nick
So i just cant understand the poor bug*ers that go out spend £80 on XP pro and then get told your CD KEY is INVALID!!! Understandably i was a bit mad at this.! :mad:
Since when has XP pro only cost £80 ?!
When installing a new mobo, it's always best to reformat the HDD, and do a fresh/clean install.
Err .... why?
If the chipset's the same, it shouldn't be necessary. One of my PCs has recently had a new motherboard fitted and I didn't reinstall XP. Apart from some problems with the network which were resolved by fitting a bog standard PCI card, there weren't any problems.
The Pimp
22-04-2005, 14:41
In only doing phone activation it cant send a hardware hash so you can install your legit or pirate version on more than one pc and they cant tell the differance! so its going to make things easier for pirates!
Yes it does generate a hardware hash (via the activation key) that the systems at the call centre can decipher to give you the new activation key. When I changed a board in one of the PC's here (due to leaking capacitor), I inputted the same phone activation string that I was given previously, and it told me it was invalid (using the same COA key that was on the case and used prior to the board change).
BTW my pre-SP1 OEM codes work fine with online activation still.
last time i changed by board and processor (upgraded to a64) i didnt even need to reinstall, it just booted up installed the new hardware and said please activate inside 2 days!
If it gives you the blue screen of death on boot up just do a repair install, and that will fix it! Ive done it many times before with no problems, their is no need to format the drive. (doing a repair you dont loose your files)
[QUOTE=Moira]Since when has XP pro only cost £80 ?! [\QUOTE]
if you shop around you can get the OEM version for £80
F A B Scott
28-04-2005, 09:21
[QUOTE=Moira]Since when has XP pro only cost £80 ?! [\QUOTE]
if you shop around you can get the OEM version for £80I got a legit OEM XP pro for £35 on excreta-bay in january this year [brand new complete with key]..........As for the activation etc I'm sure you only get cactus-fuctus if you've got SP2 installed. At least that has been my experience. :)
Liquid Crystal
28-04-2005, 15:13
I have a OEM copy of XP Pro (about £80) which I bought whilst building my system 6 months ago, I have yet to put on SP2 I have a feeling it does more harm than good in some cases. All I had to do the other day was add some more RAM & a DVD/RW and it demanded out of the blue that I active my copy again, refused to let me log into windows until I did it.
I'm not sure that would be due to SP2 though - probably because you changed your hardware configuration.
I've got SP2 slipstreamed into a copy of XP pro, so it's a painless process installing it.
If XP is this cheap, why are Amazon and other places advertising it for about twice the price?
Liquid Crystal
28-04-2005, 16:54
It's looks like you have seen the full retail version, all I got with my OEM was the disk and the code, no box no manual or anything else. To qualify to buy it at the £80 rate I had to be buying the computer kit at the same time.
Might try and give SP2 a go then if it is painless.
davidmoore83
28-04-2005, 17:58
This is taken from my work website:
Starting at the end of this months, Hornet users might have some problems re-installing and activating their Windows. STARS IT Services forecast that many users will simply not be able to activate Windows XP at all after a fresh re-install. This might cause us serious problems throughout The University of Manchester campuses.
Microsoft Closes Activation Loophole:
http://www.betanews.com/article/Microsoft_Closes_Activation_Loophole/1109293194
Microsoft is closing a loophole that enabled unscrupulous resellers to use Windows XP product keys that were stolen from large OEMs. The result: customers who purchase Windows on a new PC will not be able to activate, nor reinstall their operating system without first calling Microsoft.
The problem lies in the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) labels on PCs, which often contain unused unique product keys because OEMs preinstall Windows and bypass product activation.
These keys could easily be copied and sold by a smaller computer dealer complete with a counterfeit COA. Because the product key was never actually used by an end-user, a customer would have no trouble activating Windows via the Internet and never know the difference.
But Microsoft plans to change all this. Starting February 28, Microsoft will indefinitely begin to disable Internet product activation on OEM keys used by the top 20 worldwide PC makers.
If a customer attempts to activate Windows XP with an OEM key from a COA, they will be directed to call customer support specialists to obtain an override code - provided they can prove that their copy is legitimate by answering a series of questions.
F A B Scott
28-04-2005, 18:50
I had a pc taken away to be checked over and the guy formatted the HD and reinstalled XP with his [licenced,I presume] OEM . When I got it back I was continually prompted to activate within 3O days. As the guy hadn't left me a key, I rang him only to be told it wasn't his problem. So when I used M$ phone activation procedure they gave me the same answer.......although they admitted it was not a pirated copy, they still wouldn't activate it. Hence I had to make other arrangements. :rolleyes:
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