Asked to call MS on 3rd install of Win7

Khrest · 18 Dec 2009 at 20:04

I understood with Win 7 Retail I could install as many times as I wanted, provided I only had one active copy.

I have been upgrading my system and did the third install tonight and had to phone for a code. During the call I have to indicate how many systems I had it running on.

Is this unusual or do I have to do that every time from now on?

dave-lew99 · 18 Dec 2009 at 20:14

There may be a time scale associated with the activations - it's only just come out so this must be your 3rd activation in a couple of months.

3 in a couple of months is a bit suspect for a new piece of software. You're probably limited to 3 a year for none-interactive activation. But as you said, you rang up and it's all fine.

mmj_uk · 18 Dec 2009 at 20:19

It's normal if you activate too often, you'll be thrilled to hear that pirating it is far less hassle. :rolleyes:

Coxyis · 18 Dec 2009 at 21:38

Will just be a time issue to be honest.

When I replaced a hard drive a week after my initial windows 7 install, Microsoft wanted me to call for a code. :rolleyes:

Anyway, no real problems... Just a bit of a pain and a little time consuming

manbearpig · 18 Dec 2009 at 21:40

mmj_uk said:
It's normal if you activate too often, you'll be thrilled to hear that pirating it is far less hassle.

true, you can install as many times as you want, and if the serial gets put on the backlist, you can just find a new one quite easily.

Khrest · 18 Dec 2009 at 21:52

Must be the fact its 3 installs in 3 weeks...

1) Original Core 2 Rig
2) Core 2 with 5850
3) i5 with 5850

Anyway, I imaged it after installing this time so hopefully that will save the hassle next time..

Burnsy2023 · 18 Dec 2009 at 23:58

Khrest said:
I understood with Win 7 Retail I could install as many times as I wanted, provided I only had one active copy.

What do you mean by 'active copy'?

paradigm · 19 Dec 2009 at 11:01

Khrest said:
Must be the fact its 3 installs in 3 weeks...

1) Original Core 2 Rig
2) Core 2 with 5850
3) i5 with 5850

Anyway, I imaged it after installing this time so hopefully that will save the hassle next time..

Call me crazy here, but given that you get 30 days grace (well more if you slmgr -rearm), why would you activate a system that you know you are upgrading in a week? :confused:

DIABLO · 19 Dec 2009 at 12:10

I was asked to ring them up after 1 activation after i changed the MoBo.

IAmATeaf · 19 Dec 2009 at 16:22

I had to re-activate after simply updating the Intel chipset drivers a few weeks ago.

Alexrose1uk · 19 Dec 2009 at 16:43

How bizzare, I'm on an OEM Win7 Upgrade copy that MS sent out, and I've reinstalled about 10 times now in a month due to testing and trying to eliminate a stutter I was getting (Nvidia GPU driver caused so a bit stuck with it til it's fixed, but sorted a workaround now), and I haven't once been asked to call up and activate, which really surprised me.

Temi_D · 19 Dec 2009 at 20:31

you can install and activate as many times as you want as long as its the same mobo, you wont have to call them. Thats my experience anyways

chaparral · 19 Dec 2009 at 22:53

paradigm said:
Call me crazy here, but given that you get 30 days grace (well more if you slmgr -rearm), why would you activate a system that you know you are upgrading in a week?

I always click the auto activate online went installing...