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Geek Culture / Microsoft's activation service is being moronic

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
19
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Joined: 10th Apr 2005
Location: The Fifth Plane of Oblivion
Posted: 1st Jun 2007 18:30
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My parents' computer recently gave up the ghost, so I built them a new one and used their old XP disc to install XP. But, when I attempted to update, it was demanded that I activate Windows. It said the key, used before, was invalid because it was a one-computer-only license. (The other computer, with memory and CD drives removed, is lieing on the tip at the moment.) So, I phoned the number and was put onto an over-the-top posh synthesized voice which told me to waste money on a new license. I'm not doing that, and I can't explain the situation. What the hell am I supposed to do!?


Since the other one was scaring you guys so much...
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dark coder
22
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Joined: 6th Oct 2002
Location: Japan
Posted: 1st Jun 2007 18:31
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Wait till an operator is available? I had no issues doing something similar.

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
19
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Location: The Fifth Plane of Oblivion
Posted: 1st Jun 2007 18:34
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I can't. After it says "purchase a new licence", there is little more than silence.


Since the other one was scaring you guys so much...
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indi
22
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Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Earth, Brisbane, Australia
Posted: 1st Jun 2007 18:47
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business hours should result in a live request if your not doing that already.

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heartbone
22
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Joined: 9th Nov 2002
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Posted: 1st Jun 2007 19:00
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Quote: "What the hell am I supposed to do!?"


In the interim, until you sort out the licensing issues, use this tool.



You can use in a mode which makes no changes to your hard drive
which means you could use it with you computer just as it is right now.
Puppy Linux 2.15CE Final ~130MB
After booting with the disk you can EASILY transfer the OS directly to a USB flash and quickly boot from it and get online if broadband. Dialup support sucks.

Don't forget this option as well.


UBUNTU LINUX Live CD 7.04 iso (697 MB)

Use BurnCDCC™ (69KB)
to make the boot discs.

D/L and burn these and you can be back online with your computer in an hour.



I'm unique, just like everybody else.
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Seppuku Arts
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20
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Joined: 18th Aug 2004
Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 1st Jun 2007 19:10
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Yes, but what if they want to use Windows and not Linux?

Support the return of Cow-Fishing! Hook up Paris Hilton and die!
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zenassem
21
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Joined: 10th Mar 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posted: 1st Jun 2007 19:11
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Thankfully I run Windows XP Corporate Edition.

No Activation.

I wouldn't be able to do my job without it.

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 1st Jun 2007 22:19
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I already have Damn Small Linux on a CD. Next time I get the chance, I will call again.


Since the other one was scaring you guys so much...
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bitJericho
22
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Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 2nd Jun 2007 00:50
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And then they wonder why they have pirating issues

But seriously, just tell them you swapped out the mobo cuz it broke down, they'll hook you up with a new code no issues.

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Nicholas Thompson
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Joined: 6th Sep 2004
Location: Bognor Regis, UK
Posted: 2nd Jun 2007 19:20
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Quote: "I built them a new one and used their old XP disc to install XP"


If its an OEM license, Microsoft are REALLY strict about using it on new machines. I recently had my OEM copy claim I had a significant hardware change and it asked me to reactivate (although their online activation was down).

You can only change a few pieces of hardware without windows screwing at you for building a new PC - the OEM license gets bound to the hardware profile.

It's annoying - but it saves you money in the short term. You pay about £90 for an OEM license - but if you want a license you can install on any machine (obviously not at the same time) then you buy a Retail license, but that costs about £200, maybe more.

It might sound odd - but its sort of like Microsoft trying to do you a favor. If you're lucky, Microsoft will believe that you're old machine did die and you'll get your license renewed.

If they believe you just upgraded because you wanted a faster machine, they probably wont renew the license as its still bound to a working machine's hardware profile.

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GatorHex
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Joined: 5th Apr 2005
Location: Gunchester, UK
Posted: 2nd Jun 2007 21:42
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It's very annoying, make sure you have the COD sticker off the old PC because it's your proof you're licenced (I bet it won't be easy to remove either

War MMORPG http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=106577&b=8
DinoHunter http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=98385&b=8
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zenassem
21
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Joined: 10th Mar 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posted: 3rd Jun 2007 23:38
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The thing that ticks me off about this whole licensing thing. I have about 3,000 computers that come with OEM licensing as part of the package. None of them have been activated, becuase I can't use the OEM install in my environment, as it would be a nightmare to reinstall, upgrade, and ghost or zenworks reimage when I need to. For that reason we pay fro Corporate Edition Licenesing, (which MS does keep good track of, so please no one ask me for it. I couldn't do it even if my morals weren't where they are).

But honestly I have all of thes unused, "paid for", keys. MS gets the money from them. So you would think that I would be able to help someone like this out of a jam.

If you think about it, MS is double-dipping in a sense. And trust me the CE (Corporate Edition) licensing isn't cheap. And I work for a K-12 School District. Can you even imagine the number of OEM keys that are never activated in larger Schools, Unversities, Coprporations? I have friends in the industry, and we are all in the same situation. It's for that reason, that I cringe when I hear about MS's reactivation policies. Trust me, they are well ahead of the game. More so then they would like any of us to believe.

You might think that we should just buy or lease the hardware. But here's the kicker. A K-12 school on Long Island has to "Purchase" the hardware through B.O.C.E.S. in order to receive the credits (funding) from the state. So we can't just buy anything we want.

The companies like DELL for instance make deals with B.O.C.E.S and we don't have much choice in the matter. So MS gets their money (from the OEM license, and our (CE) licenses - nevermind the cost of Server Licensing), Dell gets their $$, B.O.C.E.S rips off the School District - which in turn is ripping off... the tax payers (which includes me). Nice crap rolling downhill scenario, eh?

So here I sit with 1000,s of unused legitimate licenses...
[Sarcasm Warining!!]
That sounds so fair, doesn't it? Microsoft is really getting ripped off?? I don't know how they are able to stay in business???
[/SARCASM]

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heartbone
22
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Joined: 9th Nov 2002
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Posted: 4th Jun 2007 20:08
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Quote: "Yes, but what if they want to use Windows and not Linux?"

After much thought I decided this wasn't a such a poor question.

Here's your answer.

Windows = Blue Pill
Linux = Red Pill

I'm unique, just like everybody else.
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Seppuku Arts
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20
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Joined: 18th Aug 2004
Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 5th Jun 2007 00:41
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So Windows = The simple life, easy going - no real dangers
Linux = A life of danger, gun fights and agents after you...

That's what happens when you answer a rhetorical question with something as ambiguous as that, which is completely up to interpretation. Of course both aren't 100% true about the OS's, but considering your response, I felt it necessary.

Support the return of Cow-Fishing! Hook up Paris Hilton and die!
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Nicholas Thompson
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Joined: 6th Sep 2004
Location: Bognor Regis, UK
Posted: 5th Jun 2007 00:45
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Quote: "The companies like DELL for instance make deals with B.O.C.E.S and we don't have much choice in the matter. So MS gets their money (from the OEM license, and our (CE) licenses - nevermind the cost of Server Licensing), Dell gets their $$, B.O.C.E.S rips off the School District - which in turn is ripping off... the tax payers (which includes me). Nice crap rolling downhill scenario, eh?
"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6144782.stm


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