how many activations?

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Guest

I upgrade my computer usually 2-3 times a year.
I installed Vista Ultimate recently and I had a tragic event and just about
killed the machine.

So, I have had to rebuild the machine (Motherboard, CPU, ram and hard disk
are being replaced)

I am keeping the same video cards, monitor, case, power supply, dvd burner,
etc etc.
Since I am changing the underlying components no doubt I will be reinstalling.

I read that I can only reactivate once?
Is this the case?
I have reactivated XP Pro more times than I can count over upgrades, general
reinstalls, crashes and the like.

I would really like to know how many times I will be able to do this before
I have to spend another $400

I am seriously hoping it is not 2, if so I will simply go back to XP.
Anyone know for sure?
 
Hi Richard,

I called support and asked them this after I posted this question, and the
answer I got from someone... after being transferred around a bunch was 3
clean installs
(Does not seem to make sense)

So, you got me there.
Basically, what I was told is that you can change whatever hardware you
want, as long as you don't reinstall it.
This is contrary to what I have read and understand from past versions like
XP.

I constantly reactivated XP because it never liked some hardware changes
like, for example, video cards and I did this without issue.

So, I am confused now. 3 'clean' installs only per Microsoft support...
Or, .....

Any ideas?
Last thing I want to do is not be able to upgrade without buying copies of
windows.


Richard G. Harper said:
No this is not the case.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


Mark said:
I upgrade my computer usually 2-3 times a year.
I installed Vista Ultimate recently and I had a tragic event and just
about
killed the machine.

So, I have had to rebuild the machine (Motherboard, CPU, ram and hard disk
are being replaced)

I am keeping the same video cards, monitor, case, power supply, dvd
burner,
etc etc.
Since I am changing the underlying components no doubt I will be
reinstalling.

I read that I can only reactivate once?
Is this the case?
I have reactivated XP Pro more times than I can count over upgrades,
general
reinstalls, crashes and the like.

I would really like to know how many times I will be able to do this
before
I have to spend another $400

I am seriously hoping it is not 2, if so I will simply go back to XP.
Anyone know for sure?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Mark said:
Hi Richard,

I called support and asked them this after I posted this question, and the
answer I got from someone... after being transferred around a bunch was 3
clean installs
(Does not seem to make sense)

So, you got me there.
Basically, what I was told is that you can change whatever hardware you
want, as long as you don't reinstall it.
This is contrary to what I have read and understand from past versions like
XP.

I constantly reactivated XP because it never liked some hardware changes
like, for example, video cards and I did this without issue.

So, I am confused now. 3 'clean' installs only per Microsoft support...
Or, .....

Any ideas?
Last thing I want to do is not be able to upgrade without buying copies of
windows.
Click to expand...

The Vista reviewers did mention the possibility of limited activations. The
obvious alternative would be to create your own recovery disc or image file
and select a good rollback point. Perhaps Ghost or TrueImage will work with
Vista, as they did with Windows XP users in this manner.
 
Mark said:
I upgrade my computer usually 2-3 times a year.
I installed Vista Ultimate recently and I had a tragic event and just
about
killed the machine.

So, I have had to rebuild the machine (Motherboard, CPU, ram and hard disk
are being replaced)

I am keeping the same video cards, monitor, case, power supply, dvd
burner,
etc etc.
Since I am changing the underlying components no doubt I will be
reinstalling.

I read that I can only reactivate once?
Is this the case?
I have reactivated XP Pro more times than I can count over upgrades,
general
reinstalls, crashes and the like.

I would really like to know how many times I will be able to do this
before
I have to spend another $400

I am seriously hoping it is not 2, if so I will simply go back to XP.
Anyone know for sure?
Click to expand...

Read the Vista license agreement. From Start | winver, click on the
hyperlink. You can reinstall / reactivate a retail version of Vista as many
times as you want. It can be moved to another computer, as many times as
you want. It just can't be installed on two devices at the same time. If
activation doesn't go through on the internet, then do the phone activation.

The original iteration of the license last year limited it to one reinstall.
Due to an outcry that was changed. It is the same as in XP.
 
Yeah, I guess it does kinda/sorta say that in the EULA.

I guess RTFM applies here.
Thanks guys I appreciate the responses.
 
Not to disparage live support (if you want to call it support) but as you've
discovered, read the EULA that came with your software and your agreement
with Microsoft is there. It should be no real problem, just as it was no
real problem with XP.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


Mark said:
Hi Richard,

I called support and asked them this after I posted this question, and the
answer I got from someone... after being transferred around a bunch was 3
clean installs
(Does not seem to make sense)

So, you got me there.
Basically, what I was told is that you can change whatever hardware you
want, as long as you don't reinstall it.
This is contrary to what I have read and understand from past versions
like
XP.

I constantly reactivated XP because it never liked some hardware changes
like, for example, video cards and I did this without issue.

So, I am confused now. 3 'clean' installs only per Microsoft support...
Or, .....

Any ideas?
Last thing I want to do is not be able to upgrade without buying copies of
windows.


Richard G. Harper said:
No this is not the case.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


Mark said:
I upgrade my computer usually 2-3 times a year.
I installed Vista Ultimate recently and I had a tragic event and just
about
killed the machine.

So, I have had to rebuild the machine (Motherboard, CPU, ram and hard
disk
are being replaced)

I am keeping the same video cards, monitor, case, power supply, dvd
burner,
etc etc.
Since I am changing the underlying components no doubt I will be
reinstalling.

I read that I can only reactivate once?
Is this the case?
I have reactivated XP Pro more times than I can count over upgrades,
general
reinstalls, crashes and the like.

I would really like to know how many times I will be able to do this
before
I have to spend another $400

I am seriously hoping it is not 2, if so I will simply go back to XP.
Anyone know for sure?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Rock said:
Read the Vista license agreement. From Start | winver, click on the
hyperlink. You can reinstall / reactivate a retail version of Vista as
many times as you want. It can be moved to another computer, as many
times as you want. It just can't be installed on two devices at the same
time. If activation doesn't go through on the internet, then do the phone
activation.

The original iteration of the license last year limited it to one
reinstall. Due to an outcry that was changed. It is the same as in XP.
Click to expand...

How do they know if it's installed on more that 1 machine?
 
How do they know if it's installed on more that 1 machine?
Click to expand...

I don't know how the MS servers keep track of things. But whatever
protection systems are in place, it all comes down to the integrity of the
person. If you want to lie you can get away with some things.
 
Alcohol always knows how many machines I've got their product on and if I
want to put it on another computer I have to choose which one I'll take it
off. If Alcohol can do it I'm pretty sure Microsoft will be able to.
 
Mark said:
Yeah, I guess it does kinda/sorta say that in the EULA.

I guess RTFM applies here.
Thanks guys I appreciate the responses.
Click to expand...
there is another way..... email me
directly.....csi_cape_bretonATyahoo.ca........
 
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