Windows wont let me reactivate!

ahmed5

ahmed5

ahmed5

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Joined
2 Aug 2006
Posts
22
Hello,

A week ago i bought Win XP Home with SP2 OEM and i managed to install and activate it. Recently i had to install new drivers due to a minor issue with graphics card (from Omega to ATI), but when i restarted windows told me that i had to reactivate winxp within 3 days due to a 'change in hardware'. I couldn't reactivate with my current key because it wanted a new key so i called up microsoft. They said because my copy is OEM they couldn't help me out and it was possibly unlegit (i doubt). I called up OcUK (who i bought it off) and the dude said that i should call M$ up and they will reactivate it for me but i had already used my 2 free calls.

heres the link to support: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-gb&prid=8430&gprid=37012

What the hell is going on? Why shouldn't i be able to change drivers? It takes the bloody ****

Thank you
 
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Trigger said:
Firstly read the FAQ- swearing is not allowed even in disguised form.

When you phoned Microsoft, did you tell them it was just a driver change?
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(sorry for swearing - M$ is very annoying)

i did tell them it was a driver change. when they found out mine was OEM, they said they couldnt help me. i cant call them back because it costs over £50 to call them apparently.
 
ahmed5 said:
(sorry for swearing - M$ is very annoying)

i did tell them it was a driver change. when they found out mine was OEM, they said they couldnt help me. i cant call them back because it costs over £50 to call them apparently.
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Thats a load of BS. Phone the activation line and explain your situation again. From what you have said, you are not breaking the EULA and so MS are obligated to activate your product.

Burnsy
 
MS will reactivate an OEM copy of Windows XP as often as you need them to so long as it is the same computer that the OS was initially installed onto.
Attempt to move it to another computer and they will question you - but a reactivation due to minor hardware/software changes will be done nice and quick and via an 0800 number.
 
Sorry for the post hijack, but I have just re-installed Windows XP Home OEM on my pc after putting my new mobo and cpu in. Always nice to format the drives at the same time!

Unfortunately XP tells me that the key I have has now been used too many times and I basically need to purchase a new one!!

As i've changed the mobo and cpu its a BIG change and would look like a change of PC (and not just a driver as in the topic above)

I cant get through to the helpdesk at the moment. Is it even worth me waiting in the call queue, or are they just gonna tell me to forget it?

:confused:
 
A new mobo/cpu is deemed a new computer, hence you will need a new copy of XP. An XP lisence is attached to the mobo iirc, and therefor not usable for a new one.
 
chris06 said:
Just tell them that your old mobo broke and had to replace it.

When I changed mobos I had to call them and they didn't even ask if I had changed anything. All they asked was am I installing it on the same computer.
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Just play it dumb and say you got a virus so had to reinstall. They either can't detect the mobo change or don't care, so you may as well not bother making it more complicated.
 
ahmed5 said:
heres the link to support: http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-gb&prid=8430&gprid=37012
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just out of interest that page you've linked to is for XP Embedded, not XP OEM. For OEM software the OEM is responsible for providing support (hence one of the reasons MS charge less for it I guess), for Retail version Microsoft does (although obviously there are all the normal online support options on the MS site).

In this case as has been said it's not really a support issue - if you need reactivation you should be able to just call the number you get prompted with and they will sort it out. In theory if you replace a motherboard in any circumstances other than a warranty repair the license stays with the motherboard. In practise this tends not to get looked at too closely by MS if you need to reactivate.

Sounds like you're sorted now though :)
 
0800 018 8354

Phone that, they'll ask for your product ID that was generated when you clicked activate by phone, type it in. If the robot doesn't accept it then you'll be put through to customer service person.

They ask "how many PCs do you have it installed on", you say one, they also might ask if you have recently changed hardware, say no. They generate a new activation ID for it, you enter it into the boxes and you're done :)

Craig.
 
chris06 said:
Just tell them that your old mobo broke and had to replace it.

When I changed mobos I had to call them and they didn't even ask if I had changed anything. All they asked was am I installing it on the same computer.
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I would suggest you read the FAQ, condoning and advocating software piracy is against the rules.

Burnsy
 
Craig321 said:
The thread starter still has his same motherboard and same hardware so he's perfectly licensed as long as he had a legit copy to start with.
Click to expand...

Read the thread, I was not commenting on the OP.

stevechapman said:
snip
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I'm highly dubious over the legalities of using such a product, as it may cercumvent copyright technologies in one way or another, but without seeing what the program does exactly, I can't be sure.

Burnsy
 
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