Activation of XP Pro

[Guest]

I have Windows XP Pro installed. It was an activated copy, until today. When
I started the computer today, I was informed that I had 2 days to activate.
When I attempted to activate, I was told that I had already activated the
maximum number of times. This is a legally purchased copy from Microsoft. Is
there anything I can do?

 

[Mistoffolees]

I have Windows XP Pro installed. It was an activated copy, until today. When
I started the computer today, I was informed that I had 2 days to activate.
When I attempted to activate, I was told that I had already activated the
maximum number of times. This is a legally purchased copy from Microsoft. Is
there anything I can do?

There is no maximum number of times a legitimate version of
Microsoft Windows XP can be activated. Whomever provided this
information is incorrect. Talk to a supervisor. Make sure that
you provide the correct information, viz., correct Product Key,
COA, etc.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have Windows XP Pro installed. It was an activated copy, until today. When
I started the computer today, I was informed that I had 2 days to activate.
When I attempted to activate, I was told that I had already activated the
maximum number of times. This is a legally purchased copy from Microsoft. Is
there anything I can do?

It may be that your activation has become "unregistered." Try
this solution, posted by Carey Frisch, MS-MVP:

Possible Resolution:

Boot into "Safe Mode" by pressing (F8) during a reboot.

Go to Start > Run and type: regsvr32 regwizc.dll , and hit enter.
Then go again to Start > Run and type: regsvr32 licdll.dll , and hit
enter again.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[paulmd]

There is no maximum number of times a legitimate version of
Microsoft Windows XP can be activated.

Is too. I've come across it before. On machines with XP COA still
attached. The solution is to do the telephone activation pain in the
ass routine.

Whomever provided this

 

[GHalleck]

Is too. I've come across it before. On machines with XP COA still
attached. The solution is to do the telephone activation pain in the
ass routine.

While true, the respondent on the telephone was in error. And,
agreed, that useless creature is totally unnecessary provided
that the activation model used by Microsoft is perfect. But it
isn't because the activation model was poorly designed and there
are an insufficient number of allowable activation code numbers
to account for each and every unit of a Microsoft product that
requires to be so activated.

 

[paulmd]

While true, the respondent on the telephone was in error.

Actually, the activation program *itself* tells you that your key was
activated too many times. And needs to be activated manually. There
need not have been a human respondent at all in the picture.



And,

agreed, that useless creature is totally unnecessary provided
that the activation model used by Microsoft is perfect. But it
isn't because the activation model was poorly designed and there
are an insufficient number of allowable activation code numbers
to account for each and every unit of a Microsoft product that
requires to be so activated.

The manual activation bails you out of situations where you need to
install XP, but no longer have the "restore" set. For example, a dell
branded XP pro cd will install on a non-dell, but will require you to
change the product key to whatever XP pro you have an actual license
for. Then, possibly make you call up the Indians.

The DELL win2k and ME cds are bios locked, that apparently changed with
XP.

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

I have Windows XP Pro installed. It was an activated copy, until today.
When I started the computer today, I was informed that I had 2 days to
activate. When I attempted to activate, I was told that I had already
activated the maximum number of times. This is a legally purchased copy
from Microsoft. Is there anything I can do?

This may happen after messing around with toys like "XP-Antispy".
Otherwise, see if this article applies:
"You are prompted to activate Windows every time you restart your
computer" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=312295

When running a Retail version, you may also want to check all the hard-
ware changes made since the product activiation. "XPInfo":
http://www.licenturion.com/xp/

 

[Alias]

This may happen after messing around with toys like "XP-Antispy".
Otherwise, see if this article applies:
"You are prompted to activate Windows every time you restart your
computer" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=312295

When running a Retail version, you may also want to check all the hard-
ware changes made since the product activiation. "XPInfo":
http://www.licenturion.com/xp/

Once again, WPA only inconveniences paying customers and does nothing to
stop piracy. Why should someone have to edit the registry and jump
through all these hoops just to be able to use their bought and paid for
copy of Windows!?

Alias

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

Once again, WPA only inconveniences paying customers and does nothing
to stop piracy.

Sorry, I'm not really interested in your opinion.

Why should someone have to edit the registry and jump
through all these hoops just to be able to use their bought and paid
for copy of Windows!?

As for the registry patch, the referred MSKB article offers "Guided Help
is available to remove the script that interferes with Windows
activation. Guided Help can automatically perform the steps for you."

Note that interfering scripts do not come out the blue. The same is true
when the files "regwizc.dll" and "licdll.dll" become suddenly un-
registered. Tools like "XP-Antispy" cause these problems and running
such crap is the decision of the user only - there is no reason to blame
someone else. Period.

 

[Alias]

Sorry, I'm not really interested in your opinion.

If you truly weren't interested, you wouldn't reply to my posts. Try to
use some self control.

Alias

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

If you truly weren't interested, you wouldn't reply to my posts. Try to
use some self control.

¡ROTFL! No better arguments?

 

[Alias]

¡ROTFL!

I thought it was funny too.

No better arguments?

Well, obviously, if there were no WPA/WGA/WGA-N, etc. no problems would
need to be fixed.

Alias

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

Well, obviously, if there were no WPA/WGA/WGA-N, etc. no problems
would need to be fixed.

The WinXP activation was mandatory from the beginning while WGA was
introduced later and has nothing to do with this thread (see the
subject line). The OP's problem results from a system change since
*nothing* comes out of the blue. This may be caused by changing too many
hardware components, fiddling around with suspicious tools or even
caused by malware ("interfering scripts"). Again, no matter what cause
in particular - the user is always responsible for that change and the
resulting consequences. In fact, I'm running WinXP on several machines
since RTM was released and there were no activation problems by now. In
local newsgroups, reported activation problems are rather seldom and in
some of these cases, the poster admits that he's running a pirated copy.
Therefore, I doubt seriously that product activation is a general issue.
The case is closed from my side - EOD.

 

[HeyBub]

Once again, WPA only inconveniences paying customers and does nothing
to stop piracy. Why should someone have to edit the registry and jump
through all these hoops just to be able to use their bought and paid
for copy of Windows!?

False as to fact. You do not know, nor do you have any way to know, whether
anti-piracy activation dimishes piracy. I strongly suspect that Microsoft is
in a much better position to judge the efficacy of their efforts than you.

Why should an honest person have to putz around looking for his car keys?
Why should I have to slide my money through a slot at the all-night
Stop-And-Rob? Why should one have to type in their ZIP code or security key
to use a credit card?

It's the thieves and their supporters and facilitators who encumber the rest
of us.

 

[Alias]

The WinXP activation was mandatory from the beginning while WGA was
introduced later and has nothing to do with this thread (see the
subject line).

I just added the others for grins as they basically have the same
function: demand that you prove you're not a thief. For some reason, I
take that as an insult when I know I spent my hard earned money to buy it.

The OP's problem results from a system change since

*nothing* comes out of the blue.

See below.

This may be caused by changing too many
hardware components, fiddling around with suspicious tools or even
caused by malware ("interfering scripts"). Again, no matter what cause
in particular - the user is always responsible for that change and the
resulting consequences.

Um, no, MS is responsible for putting their flawed anti piracy programs
in the OS.

In fact, I'm running WinXP on several machines
since RTM was released and there were no activation problems by now. In
local newsgroups, reported activation problems are rather seldom and in
some of these cases, the poster admits that he's running a pirated copy.
Therefore, I doubt seriously that product activation is a general issue.
The case is closed from my side - EOD.

Um, I changed a NIC in one of my computers and the following four
reboots required on line activation. All activated. Is this what you
mean by WPA being flawless? I bought the copy from a legit source and it
was a fresh install of XP.

Alias

 

[Alias]

False as to fact. You do not know, nor do you have any way to know, whether
anti-piracy activation dimishes piracy. I strongly suspect that Microsoft is
in a much better position to judge the efficacy of their efforts than you.

LOL! Cracked copies of XP don't need to be activated. There are
thousands of web sites where you can download XP. You can even buy them
on the street from ambulant vendors. When MS dreams up another anti
piracy program, the crack appears on Usenet the next day. I fail to see
how forcing paying customers to prove they bought their copy stops this.
Can you please explain?

Why should an honest person have to putz around looking for his car keys?

The car keys, in your lame analogy, would be the button that starts the
computer.

Why should I have to slide my money through a slot at the all-night
Stop-And-Rob?

Because you live in a high crime country?

Why should one have to type in their ZIP code or security key
to use a credit card?

Um, the customer doesn't own the bank or ATM machine. You don't need a
code to pull money out of a drawer in your home or your pocket.

It's the thieves and their supporters and facilitators who encumber the rest
of us.

You sure have been brainwashed by MS to the nines! You did, however,
just say that the anti piracy programs "encumber the rest of us" which,
of course, was my original point. Show me ONE news report where WPA, WGA
or any other of MS' lame attempts has led to the apprehension of ONE
pirate. Reading these newsgroups will prove my point that these programs
cause paying customers problems and insult their integrity.

Alias

 

[Detlev Dreyer]

Um, I changed a NIC in one of my computers and the following four
reboots required on line activation. All activated. Is this what you
mean by WPA being flawless?

Well, there have been reports that changing the NIC *may* cause a re-
activation. That's why I was posting the link to a tool showing *all*
the relevant changes being made since the activation. The MAC address
is just one item among many others. On this particular machine, only the
Processor model, the RAM size, the Graphics adapter, the IDE controller
and the Volume serial number are identical with the hardware when WinXP
was activated years ago. All other relevant components incl. the MAC
address (NIC changed and WLAN-Adapter added) have been modified and/or
replaced and there was no re-activation necessary by now. See also the
screenshot: http://www.freewebs.com/detdreyer/download/xpinfo.jpg

I bought the copy from a legit source and it was a fresh install of XP.

No doubt about it, however, the NIC wasn't the only change most likely.
Otherwise, most of my machines had to be re-activated meanwhile. EOT.

 

[Alias]

Well, there have been reports that changing the NIC *may* cause a re-
activation. That's why I was posting the link to a tool showing *all*
the relevant changes being made since the activation. The MAC address
is just one item among many others. On this particular machine, only the
Processor model, the RAM size, the Graphics adapter, the IDE controller
and the Volume serial number are identical with the hardware when WinXP
was activated years ago. All other relevant components incl. the MAC
address (NIC changed and WLAN-Adapter added) have been modified and/or
replaced and there was no re-activation necessary by now. See also the
screenshot: http://www.freewebs.com/detdreyer/download/xpinfo.jpg


No doubt about it, however, the NIC wasn't the only change most likely.
Otherwise, most of my machines had to be re-activated meanwhile. EOT.

No, it was the only change and I didn't really change it, I uninstalled
it a couple of times until XP could figure out how to make it work.
Every time I uninstalled it, WPA would rear its ugly head. I don't
understand how you and the other WPA supporters don't see this as a very
unneeded hassle when reinstalling XP. But, then again, MS doesn't make
enough money as it is and we gotta catch those pirates. I am still
waiting for someone to point me to a news article where a pirate was
caught due to WPA, WGA or WGA-N but I am not holding my breath.

Alias