Windows XP activation

Mr Men · 14 Jun 2006 at 13:20

When trying to activate Windows XP Home it says I have used the key too many times, fair enough, but my version of Windows came with my Dell PC, I have since ripped most of its bones out and replaced mobo, cpu etc etc in fact you could say its a whole new PC LOL, so am I gonna have to buy Windows? or if I phone them will I get a new key if I just say I have upgraded the PC?

Nismo · 14 Jun 2006 at 13:22

You will have had an OEM copy which is limited to one set of hardware, however its not uncommon for people to be able to get a new key by speaking to MS after they have upgraded components.

Burnsy2023 · 14 Jun 2006 at 13:33

Nismo said:
You will have had an OEM copy which is limited to one set of hardware, however its not uncommon for people to be able to get a new key by speaking to MS after they have upgraded components.

But you will be using illegal software. You need to buy a new license.

More info avaliable in this thread: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17582816&highlight=licensing

Burnsy

Nismo · 14 Jun 2006 at 13:37

burnsy2023 said:
But you will be using illegal software. You need to buy a new license.

The person at MS should realise this though and not allow you to continue using the OEM copy on new hardware.

Joe Bloggs probably wouldnt know any different, and just phone MS when prompted to sort the problem out.

Mr Men · 14 Jun 2006 at 16:45

Ah well phoned them up and they gave me a new activation key without any fuss

Burnsy2023 · 14 Jun 2006 at 20:19

Nismo said:
The person at MS should realise this though and not allow you to continue using the OEM copy on new hardware.

Joe Bloggs probably wouldnt know any different, and just phone MS when prompted to sort the problem out.

Obviously not, considering the last post.

Burnsy

Mr Men · 14 Jun 2006 at 20:24

No really I was prepared to face the music and pay for a new key, but the woman just asked for the 1st 6 numbers of my activation id and asked why I was needing a new key, I said I had upgraded and she gave me a new key, seems quite pointless having to phone them at all, or maybe I just got lucky

Burnsy2023 · 14 Jun 2006 at 20:26

Mr Men said:
No really I was prepared to face the music and pay for a new key, but the woman just asked for the 1st 6 numbers of my activation id and asked why I was needing a new key, I said I had upgraded and she gave me a new key, seems quite pointless having to phone them at all, or maybe I just got lucky

No, your not lucky, it happens quite a lot. MS seem like they don't care. As long as you don't mid using unlicensed software, all is good.

Burnsy

Craig321 · 14 Jun 2006 at 20:36

Mr Men said:
When trying to activate Windows XP Home it says I have used the key too many times, fair enough, but my version of Windows came with my Dell PC, I have since ripped most of its bones out and replaced mobo, cpu etc etc in fact you could say its a whole new PC LOL, so am I gonna have to buy Windows? or if I phone them will I get a new key if I just say I have upgraded the PC?

Ring them and go through it all and they'll give you a massive number at the end which you have to type in. Then it'll activate

--Edit--

Reading back on the thread, seems like people have already said this. Ah well, but to be honest ringing them is the best way, its completley unfair that you're meant to get a whole new copy of it when you change something.

Mr Men · 14 Jun 2006 at 20:45

burnsy2023 said:
No, your not lucky, it happens quite a lot. MS seem like they don't care. As long as you don't mid using unlicensed software, all is good.

Burnsy

I dunno I paid for it when I bought the Dell, so I reckon its fairly mine to use