Product activation screw over

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richard
  • Start date Start date
R

Richard

Here's my problem start to finish:

Reinstalled Windows XP today. It's something I do often
cause im picky about stability and it doesnt tend to take
long before stuff starts acting weird. I average a
reinstall probably once every 6-8 weeks. Only this time
when i went to activate windows it tells me "According to
our records, the number of times you can activate windows
with this product key has been exceeded. [and so forth]"

I quote the microsoft website: "If you install Windows XP
on the same computer by using the same Product Key, the
number of activations is not limited."

So i try clicking the link to the Microsoft Activation
Assistant Web Site, and im told "We are sorry, but the
Product Key used to install this product is invalid and
does not qualify for an Additional License. Please visit
your nearest reseller to purchase a license for this
product."

This is similar to the game i played with the customer
support section of the microsoft website. I went thru a
long list of choices for describing my product then im
told basically "its OEM, go bug the people you bought it
from."

Our phones are down at the moment, i wont be able to call
their phone number for now.

Seeing as how their activation is supposed to be unlimited
(when legal) i dont see how this problem arose in the
first place.

I payed about $150 for my copy of XP, i shouldnt have to
put up with it acting like unactivated shareware. Since
every attempt i've made to locate an email address i can
report my problem to has been a dead end im turning here
for advice.
 
Richard;
There is really no problem.
However there are only two options for activation:
Internet Activation
Activate by phone.

After many activations, it is sometimes necessary to call to activate,
about a 5 minute call, I have done it many times.
Email activation is NOT an option.
The fact your phone is out is also not Microsoft's problem.

You have 30 days to activate, plenty of time for you to conveniently
work something out.
 
Seeing as how their activation is supposed to be unlimited
(when legal) i dont see how this problem arose in the
first place.

I payed about $150 for my copy of XP, i shouldnt have to
put up with it acting like unactivated shareware. Since
every attempt i've made to locate an email address i can
report my problem to has been a dead end im turning here
for advice.
Click to expand...

All I can say is that while activations are supposed to be unlimited
on the same hardware, that does necessarily mean that it will always
be automatic activations over the Internet.

And if you are having to wipe out and reinstall your Windows XP every
6 to 8 weeks then there is something seriously amiss, either with your
hardware or with the software that you are using on the computer.

XP should be far more stable than that.

Perhaps the best solution might be to work on some of the specifics of
the problems or behaviours that are prompting you to make the decision
to reinstall so often. So if you would care to post the specifics of
these it is quite likely that you will receive some construction
suggestions as to how to resolve them.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
 
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