XP activation WTF?

[Bobbler]

Has the process changed for XP activation?
I just built myself a second PC and installed my copy of Windows XP home (upgrade original release with no service packs) which has been sat around doing nothing since I got a license with my laptop. It was installed last on my Opteron system that I sold off earlier in the year as parts- without the copy of windows.
Tried to activate automatically over the net and says that its been activated (which I expected). Rung up the number and entered the digits in. Was then told that I cannot install it on anything but the computer I originally installed it on???

Since when? I have used this same product key on my rig which I have had to re-register countless times due to new motherboards/cpus etc over the last few years with no trouble whatsoever.

Is this just a ploy to force people into buying Vista or something?

 

[PieMaster]

If your XP liscense is OEM, and not retail, then thats what the EULA will say. However, usually you can get them to give out a new serial if you say you're re-installing it on the same machine.

 

[Bobbler]

Its actually retail boxed version not OEM.
Was just reading that about the OEM version in the Vista licensing FAQ.

I was half tempted to get a copy of vista but the licensing situation I would be left with seems daft to me.

I have a laptop which came with Windows pre-installed so I would lose that license that I paid for - cant transfer it to the other new machine as its Dell license and wouldnt want to install Vista on the new box as its only for remote connection to work and doing some basic stuff so its not got huge RAM.
I have a Windows XP Home license which I cant use because MS product activation wont let me have the code. You used to be able to talk to an operator at MS but didnt appear to be an option on the phone system to do it anymore

 

[TheVoice]

Now I'm scared to re-install XP on my current PC. Bought the OEM version of it 3 years ago with a PC I had built for me. Only thing that remains of that PC is the hard-drive that I install XP to (although I've re-installed with a a few different hardware configs over the years). Just got myself a nice new 320GB Seagate that I want Windows on though, hopefully MS don't kick up a fuss. Really don't want to be buying XP with Vista so close!

 

[Bobbler]

Well I managed to get round it by mashing at the telephone keypad randomly. The automated system then referred me to an operator, verified the some digits from the barcode from the top of my retail box with her and she gave me a activation key no probs.

Its also a good trick if you dont like picking from dozens of options on an automated phone system, most of them are setup so that if you either enter an non-existant option around three times OR switch your phone to pulse dialing mode and hit a key they will drop you to an operator as they think you are an OAP or something.
I used to set up phone automations on a bit of software called Alarmpoint years ago and its handy to know

Its the automated system that seems to not want to let you have a code.

 

[turbotoes]

Bobblers situation is just the sort of thing that's bothering me about having to reinstall and reactivate xp each and everytime I need to reinstall Vista!!!
So I feel for safetys sake I'm going to have to fork out for the full version, at least for two of the puters, but I do think MS are taking the **** a bit, especially as who do speak to, if you do have a problem with a legit reactivation of a retail copy of XP

I have to say that I did a reinstall of one of my machines just the other day and got the automated pillock, but it went ok, that was on a retail copy too.

Ah, bobbler, you posted just before me. I'll have to remember that trick. To add insult to injury it costs me an international call every time as I live in France but all my os's are english