Verifying Windows Registration

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lorne
  • Start date Start date
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Lorne

I just switched my computer on and got the message that because my
configuration had changed significantly since I registered Windows I have to
reregister within 3 days.

It turned out to be no problem - just clicked yes to a couple of prompts and
it said I was reregistered but why did this happen?

I have made no change to my computer since it was new 2 years ago other than
adding 512Mb of memory 3 weeks ago and that hardly justifies a "significant
configuration change" message.

My concern is what would happen if I was away from home and this happened -
last year I spent 3 weeks in the wilderness in Alaska mostly 50+ miles from
the nearest road so would I have just not been able to use my computer
because I certainly could not have connected to the internet. Would it have
just stopped working or does it still work if there is no internet
connection? And how do I make sure it will not happen again?
 
Lorne said:
I just switched my computer on and got the message that because my
configuration had changed significantly since I registered Windows I
have to reregister within 3 days.

It turned out to be no problem - just clicked yes to a couple of
prompts and it said I was reregistered but why did this happen?

I have made no change to my computer since it was new 2 years ago
other than adding 512Mb of memory 3 weeks ago and that hardly
justifies a "significant configuration change" message.

My concern is what would happen if I was away from home and this
happened - last year I spent 3 weeks in the wilderness in Alaska
mostly 50+ miles from the nearest road so would I have just not been
able to use my computer because I certainly could not have connected
to the internet. Would it have just stopped working or does it still
work if there is no internet connection? And how do I make sure it
will not happen again?
Click to expand...


You are NEVER required to register. Registration is entirely optional.
ACTIVATION is required and is *not* the same as registration.

Could be you installed updated drivers which, to the OS, makes it look
like new hardware. Remember that the OS has to also access the hardware
through drivers, so if the drivers change the hardware's enumeration to
the OS then the OS thinks you have new hardware.

By the way, NEVER install the hardware updates proffered at the Windows
Update site. Only use it as a prompt to visit the hardware
manufacturer's web site to get the newer driver, if you even need it.
 
Lorne said:
I just switched my computer on and got the message that because my
configuration had changed significantly since I registered Windows I have
to reregister within 3 days.

It turned out to be no problem - just clicked yes to a couple of prompts
and it said I was reregistered but why did this happen?

I have made no change to my computer since it was new 2 years ago other
than adding 512Mb of memory 3 weeks ago and that hardly justifies a
"significant configuration change" message.

My concern is what would happen if I was away from home and this
happened - last year I spent 3 weeks in the wilderness in Alaska mostly
50+ miles from the nearest road so would I have just not been able to use
my computer because I certainly could not have connected to the internet.
Would it have just stopped working or does it still work if there is no
internet connection? And how do I make sure it will not happen again?
Click to expand...

Did you have phone access? If so you would be able to call the Telephone
Activation Center and they would supply you with the code needed to continue
using XP.
 
Vanguard said:
By the way, NEVER install the hardware updates proffered at the Windows
Update site. Only use it as a prompt to visit the hardware
manufacturer's web site to get the newer driver, if you even need it.
Click to expand...

I found that out the hard way. I've had serious problems with both sound
and video at different times after allowing Windows update to destroy...
umm, I mean "update" my hardware drivers.
 
I never allow a driver update from WU, always use them direct from the
component manufacturer.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
But why do I need phone access to use software I have paid for?

It is hardly convenient to make calls by satellite phone at extreme cost
from remote parts of the world that photographers may visit and a computer
is an essential backup to store photographs and release space on CF cards.

I just want to know how to be sure my computer is available for me to use
wherever I happen to go.
 
I think you are right in that it did say Activate rather than register, but
I was careless in my terminology.

Are you saying that if I never install driver updates directly from Windows
Update this will not happen again? It seems bizarre to me that Microsoft
offer a service that then screws up your windows installation and requires
reactivation.
 
Lorne said:
I think you are right in that it did say Activate rather than register,
but I was careless in my terminology.

Are you saying that if I never install driver updates directly from
Windows Update this will not happen again? It seems bizarre to me
that Microsoft offer a service that then screws up your windows
installation and requires reactivation.
Click to expand...


No, the warning regarding driver updates from Windows Update was a "by
the way" note. When using Windows Update, *never* select it to install
drivers from there. They can be out of date (it takes a long time to
get a driver certified through Microsoft) and the detection used to
determine if you need the driver is inaccurate (it might even suggest a
driver for hardware that you don't have). Also, NEVER EVER configure
the Automatic Update feature in Windows to automatically download and
install updates; otherwise, you risk stability and also lose tracking of
just what is on your computer. Let it notify you when there are updates
available, then decide when and if you will visit their site to get them
and install them. You choose to lose control when you let Microsoft, or
anyone else, dynamically and at-will reconfigure your software.

Doesn't matter where you get the drivers from. Installing new drivers
can make it look like you have new hardware. You're watching Jurassic
Park on your portable television, then watch it on your 20" television
with side-firing speakers, then on a large-screen TV with a huge sound
system attached, and then in the theatre with the huge wide screen and
super sound system. It's the same movie but the experience is different
with each port through which you viewed the movie. The number of
crystals does not change but rotating a kaleidoscope certainly changes
the view. A different driver can make the hardware look different than
it was before.

Before installing a new driver, determine if you even need it. Yeah, it
might add a new feature but if you don't need it or can't use it then it
is a waste of time to install the new driver. Yeah, it might fix some
bugs but not all bugs are exhibited on all hardware platforms (i.e., the
bug manifests itself only under certain condition), so the bug fix may
do nothing specifically for your setup.

Since you make it sound like your "computer" is travelling around with
you, looks like we are supposed to guess that it is a laptop. If it is
a laptop then it has slots for modems, drives, NICs, and so forth. That
means you inserting those devices the first time requires installing a
driver that may not have been loaded before, so your hardware
configuration changed. Make sure to slide in all those cards, install
their drivers (or activate them), and get them working before you go
travelling with your laptop. Even sliding your laptop into a docking
bay can activate changes that make it look like your hardware has
changed (because, well, it has changed).
 
Lorne said:
I just switched my computer on and got the message that because my
configuration had changed significantly since I registered Windows
I have to reregister within 3 days.

It turned out to be no problem - just clicked yes to a couple of
prompts and it said I was reregistered but why did this happen?

I have made no change to my computer since it was new 2 years ago
other than adding 512Mb of memory 3 weeks ago and that hardly
justifies a "significant configuration change" message.

My concern is what would happen if I was away from home and this
happened - last year I spent 3 weeks in the wilderness in Alaska
mostly 50+ miles from the nearest road so would I have just not
been able to use my computer because I certainly could not have
connected to the internet. Would it have just stopped working or
does it still work if there is no internet connection? And how do
I make sure it will not happen again?
Click to expand...


Harry said:
Did you have phone access? If so you would be able to call the
Telephone Activation Center and they would supply you with the code
needed to continue using XP.
Click to expand...
But why do I need phone access to use software I have paid for?

It is hardly convenient to make calls by satellite phone at extreme
cost from remote parts of the world that photographers may visit and
a computer is an essential backup to store photographs and release
space on CF cards.
I just want to know how to be sure my computer is available for me to
use wherever I happen to go.
Click to expand...

Admittedly, you getting this message on what is obviously a laptop does seem
bizarre. Ignoring that fact for now - I would like to correct an assumption
you have made. You *did not* pay for the software - you paid for the right
to USE the software - you paid for the license.

Admittedly - you have a valid concern - but one that you could get around on
your own with the purchase of alternative equipment or maintainig backups.
It could even be solved (as a photographer) by getting different camera
equipment - such as a camera that can write directly to CD/DVD as well as CF
cards.

I'm not lessening your issue - just pointing out that although your problem
seems legitimate (I don't know why your system would request you to
reactivate - being that it is a laptop I cannot see you making "significant
change" to it at all) - there are ways that you should use to insure that if
this happens and you happen to be in a place where access to technology is
limited/expensive - you can restore your system and/or still do your job
without depending on others.
 
You ask rhetorical questions. Having technology does not give us a perfect
world. In fact the greater the technology the more likely there will be
screw ups. After all no one complained about flat tires before the wheel was
invented. There is no way to ensure that your computer will always be
available to you wherever you go. However the following information might be
helpful in your situation. Please note that this is an attempt to help you.
If you decide you do not want to accept this advice please don't post back
with another rhetorical question like "Why should I have to do this?"

Download and burn a copy of Knoppix. This is a totally free Linux distro
that can be run entirely off a CD or DVD. Windows won't boot? Just run the
Knoppix CD and you will have access to your files. It is very easy to use so
don't get scared off by the word linux. Knoppix will give you decent basic
functions such as printing, Office Suite, internet, e-mail, CD/DVD burning,
audio and you can plug in usb devices and manage them as well. Your data is
safe as you can't modify or delete from your drives unless you mount them.
To do that you simply right click the drive and select "mount". Once mounted
you can then add, modify, delete etc. You can therefore easily manage your
photo store and card reader.

Once you shutdown you will obviously lose any settings you created because
Knoppix is running off a CD however if you configure Knoppix the way you
like, setup your personal setting for e-mail, your browser favourites,
printer and all that you can easily save the configuration to a floppy, hard
drive or USB drive. When you first boot the CD you can enter the config file
location and your settings will be loaded during boot up.

You can download a Knoppix iso from here
ftp://ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/linux/knoppix/ Choose
"KNOPPIX_V3.7-2004-12-08-EN.iso" Use a program which enables you to burn ISO
files (like Nero) or freeware DeepBurner http://www.deepburner.com/ to
create the disc. Keep a copy in your kit. Once you try this thing you'll be
pleased with it (maybe)

Complete info as well as forums and download sites here
http://www.knoppix.net/
 
Thanks

Harry Ohrn said:
You ask rhetorical questions. Having technology does not give us a perfect
world. In fact the greater the technology the more likely there will be
screw ups. After all no one complained about flat tires before the wheel
was invented. There is no way to ensure that your computer will always be
available to you wherever you go. However the following information might
be helpful in your situation. Please note that this is an attempt to help
you. If you decide you do not want to accept this advice please don't post
back with another rhetorical question like "Why should I have to do this?"

Download and burn a copy of Knoppix. This is a totally free Linux distro
that can be run entirely off a CD or DVD. Windows won't boot? Just run the
Knoppix CD and you will have access to your files. It is very easy to use
so don't get scared off by the word linux. Knoppix will give you decent
basic functions such as printing, Office Suite, internet, e-mail, CD/DVD
burning, audio and you can plug in usb devices and manage them as well.
Your data is safe as you can't modify or delete from your drives unless
you mount them. To do that you simply right click the drive and select
"mount". Once mounted you can then add, modify, delete etc. You can
therefore easily manage your photo store and card reader.

Once you shutdown you will obviously lose any settings you created because
Knoppix is running off a CD however if you configure Knoppix the way you
like, setup your personal setting for e-mail, your browser favourites,
printer and all that you can easily save the configuration to a floppy,
hard drive or USB drive. When you first boot the CD you can enter the
config file location and your settings will be loaded during boot up.

You can download a Knoppix iso from here
ftp://ftp.uni-kl.de/pub/linux/knoppix/ Choose
"KNOPPIX_V3.7-2004-12-08-EN.iso" Use a program which enables you to burn
ISO files (like Nero) or freeware DeepBurner http://www.deepburner.com/ to
create the disc. Keep a copy in your kit. Once you try this thing you'll
be pleased with it (maybe)

Complete info as well as forums and download sites here
http://www.knoppix.net/


--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


Lorne said:
But why do I need phone access to use software I have paid for?

It is hardly convenient to make calls by satellite phone at extreme cost
from remote parts of the world that photographers may visit and a
computer is an essential backup to store photographs and release space on
CF cards.

I just want to know how to be sure my computer is available for me to use
wherever I happen to go.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Unfortunately we are all in the same boat Lorne. The reason you have to do
this is because of all the people pirating software. Microsoft is trying to
protect itself. I guese I cant blame them.

The bad side is that it effect all the honest customers. You could say that
Microsoft chose beter of two evils.

The Woodpile
 
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