Activation, must I ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JB
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J

JB

Do I have to activate my copy of XP ?

I do not wish to be added to anymore mailing lists ar to send any
information about myself or my PC to Bill Gates.

So do I have to activate my copy of XP ?? What about my Copy of Office XP ?
 
Yes, you must activate Windows XP and Office XP. Since that does not
involved personal information you can not be added to any mailing list.

Registration is not the same thing as activation. Registration is optional
and does involve personally identifying information. However MS doesn't add
you to mail lists unless you explicitly request to be added.

--
Walter Clayton - MS MVP(WinXP)
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Any technology distinguishable from magic is insufficiently advanced.
http://www.dts-l.org
http://support.microsoft.com/servicedesks/fileversion/default.asp
 
Yes, u must activate unless u only want to use the
software for 30 days. after 30 days the software will not
be usable. Both Office and Windows XP must be activated
 
XP Operating system has to be activated or you will not be operating past
the grace period.
 
(Apparently) no "personal" information (name, address, phone, etc.) is sent.
Personal info. is gathered when (if) you 'Register' - but Registration is
optional..... activation is not optional, if you want to use it beyond 30
days.

What is sent, is a hash value made up from key data about the first device
that XP finds of each hardware type - the first Hard Disk serial, the
motherboard ID, the first removable disk ID, the first <?> graphics card,
etc. Hence the hash is different if you change something. If you tried to
activate the same License Key on another machine, the hash will be different
to that which MS already have registered/logged in their dB for your License
Key. If it's VERY different (there's a "points" system), then it's obvious
that it's a different machine, and you'll need to speak with MS (freephone)
to convince them to allow the activation - e.g. the situation you described
where machine 1 went up in smoke. But if the difference is minor (change the
DVD ROM, for example), then no problems (can't recall if re-activation will
be automatic, or whether it just doesn't bother. But it's not a problem,
either way).

With regards to the transfer to another machine - this is down to the
license you bought. If full retail, then you are permitted to transfer to
another machine. If OEM, then the license terms are that it's tied to the
hardware. When the hardware dies, so does your permission to use the XP
software....

HTH.
 
You say that no information is sent to microsoft. Hmm, then what is
sent to microsoft that is so unique that makes it that the copy of XP
is specific to the machine ??
Click to expand...


What happens is that the activation routine computes a hash code,
using identification of each hardware item. That's both stored on
your computer and sent to Microsoft.

There's nothing there that identifies you or even the specifics
of your machine.

Also when I wish to deinstall it from machine A to install it on a new
machine Machine B, how do I deactivate is from A before I rectivate
it for B ?
Click to expand...


You do not. There's no such thing as deactivation, nor is it
necessary. You just remove XP from the old machine, install it on
the new one, and reactivate the new one. If it's been over 120
days, reactivation will be accomplished over the internet just as
easily as the first time. If it's been fewer than 120 days, it
will require a quick voice call to an 800 number, explaining what
you've done. They will trust you and give you a number to enter.

I know the licence is for one machine, but if the machine Burns in a
fire I would want to reinstall my licence for 1 machine on an new one
and I have bought a licence for 1 machine ? correct ?
Click to expand...


You can do this *only* if yours is a retail copy. An OEM copy, on
the other hand, has its license permanently tied to the first
computer it's installed on. If that computer dies, the license
dies with it. For that reason I do not recommend getting an OEM
copy.
 
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