Windows Activity Authentication Problem Solved

[Blackadder]

Hello,

I recently did an update on my motherboard controller- from the Microsoft
Windows Update website for the JMicron JMB36X Controller. My motherboard is
the new ASUS P5B Deluxe wi-fi.

The update was successful and listed as so on the Windows Update website.

What happened afterwards was that the Windows Activity pop-up came up
demanding that I activate Windows using the product key.

I did but it failed- claiming that the key had been used too many times
before.

I called up the computer helpdesk and did it via phone- same result.

Had to call up the human officer helpdesk and get a new activation key.

I rebooted and everything went ok!

However, I noticed that the next time I went to the Windows Update webpage-
it again offered the JMicron JMB36X Controller update.

FYI.

 

[Alec S.]

I recently did an update on my motherboard controller- from the Microsoft
Windows Update website for the JMicron JMB36X Controller. My motherboard is
the new ASUS P5B Deluxe wi-fi.

That's normal, when Windows detects a major change since the last time it started, it requires activation to make sure that it's not
suddenly running on a different computer (eg your buddie's, grandmother's, etc.) You are not allowed to install it on a bunch of

The update was successful and listed as so on the Windows Update website.

What happened afterwards was that the Windows Activity pop-up came up
demanding that I activate Windows using the product key.

I did but it failed- claiming that the key had been used too many times
before.

I called up the computer helpdesk and did it via phone- same result.

Had to call up the human officer helpdesk and get a new activation key.

I rebooted and everything went ok!

So it's a work computer? Doesn't your company have VLKs (volume license keys)? Those are supposed to allow you to install on
multiple computers so that the "too many" problem doesn't apply. Also, using those should not require activation (you activate a
company's 25,000 computers!)

However, I noticed that the next time I went to the Windows Update webpage-
it again offered the JMicron JMB36X Controller update.

FYI.

You really shouldn't be using Microsoft Update for drivers. You should get them from the manufacturer's web site if possible and
get them from MU as a last resort. While Microsoft's drivers will/should work, they are not usually as optimized or updated as
the ones provided directly from the manufacturer themselves.

In your case, you would go to http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx/, then select your motherboard from the three list
boxes on the page (motherboard->socket 775->P5B Deluxe WiFi/AP), then click Search. It will bring you to the main support page for
your board. Click the Drivers tab, and go down and download the latest version of your RAID controller then install it. (You've
also got a new BIOS version and NIC drivers available.)

 

[Blackadder]

change since the last time it started, it requires activation to make sure
that it's not

Hello Alex,

But it was a software change not a hardware change. That was my confusion.
If I had changed the CPU or motherboard, I'd understand...

So it's a work computer? Doesn't your company have VLKs (volume license
keys)? Those are supposed to allow you to install on
multiple computers so that the "too many" problem doesn't apply. Also,
using those should not require activation (you activate a
company's 25,000 computers!)

No, it was a home computer but Windows nonetheless asked me to activate it -
after I did the software update.

You really shouldn't be using Microsoft Update for drivers. You should
get them from the manufacturer's

I would assume that Microsoft Update page would have test stressed
software... but then again after I did the SP2 update on my Intel Pentium
Prescott- which was an utter fiasco- I really shouldn't be so surprised.

You would think that Bill gates with his massive profits would invest it
back into his company to develop a better software.

 

[Alec S.]

But it was a software change not a hardware change. That was my confusion.
If I had changed the CPU or motherboard, I'd understand...

But it was a hardware change as far as Windows is concerned, you changed the software drivers that identify the hardware. A
"software change" means to install a new version of Office, Flash, mIRC, whatever. A "hardware change" includes not only the
physical hardware, but the softwaredrivers which control it. For example, if Windows identifies the controller by the string
"JMB366 1.0", then the driver updates it to "JMB366 1.5", Windows detects that as a different device and may (or may not) trigger an
activation request. (Technically it should identify devices by device IDs, but they may be subject to change as well if for example
the manufacturer changed something drastic.)

No, it was a home computer but Windows nonetheless asked me to activate it -
after I did the software update.

Your home has a help desk? Or, are you talking about the technical support from the company you bought the system from? If so,
then it's impressive that they just hand out keys. I assume you had to jump through a few hoops first.

So, Windows came with the system you bought right? This company you bought your system from, did they include an original Windows
CD with the system? Did they at the very least include a certificate of authenticity (or some kind of Microsoft hologram thingy)
for your copy of Windows?

If not, then I would be very suspicious if I were you. Is it a big company or some little shop? If they gave you a bootleg copy of
Windows which you actually paid for (if the system would have been cheaper with Windows), then you should be wary, and may be
elligible to recieve a free copy of Windows from Microsoft if you tell them about the shop's piracy.

I would assume that Microsoft Update page would have test stressed
software... but then again after I did the SP2 update on my Intel Pentium
Prescott- which was an utter fiasco- I really shouldn't be so surprised.

Actually it's the manufacturer who does the main work. Like you said, Microsoft's WHQL does "testing", but there have been ever
increasing incidents where a Microsoft certified driver was found to be problematic (I'm looking in your direction ATI…)

You would think that Bill gates with his massive profits would invest it
back into his company to develop a better software.

? Bill is leaving Microsoft to focus on charity work. Steve is taking over the company.

 

[Blackadder]

talking about the technical support from the company you bought the system
from? If so,

then it's impressive that they just hand out keys. I assume you had to
jump through a few hoops first.

Hi,

The Windows help desk I called.

I told them I had the problem and they issued me with a new key.

It wasn't so bad. Just about 5 - 10 minutes.

Thanks for your help.

I just downloaded the new JM controller for my mobo from ASUS. But I think
I'll install it when I'm a bit more free. The problem may reoccur again.

Cheers!