XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

[Guest David B.]

We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in 2004,

on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated. Almost

all of them have been running for years since their last activation. These

are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto the

original PC.

Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

[Guest farid]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

If the reinstall is within 120 days you will be required to activate on

phone. Over 120 days its normal internet activation. This policy has been in

vogue since the beginning. Please check with your local Microsoft for

confirmation.

Cheers,

Farid

 

"David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

news:ue6blWZ7IHA.2416@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

> 2004, on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format

> and reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine,

> now every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

> Almost all of them have been running for years since their last

> activation. These are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine

> OEM SP2 CD onto the original PC.

> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>

> --

>

> ----

> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>

>

>

[Guest David B.]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

Did you even read my post before replying? I'll quote the relevant part,

"Almost all of them have been running for years since their last activation"

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

 

 

"farid" <faridansari@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:uvhVv4Z7IHA.2332@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> If the reinstall is within 120 days you will be required to activate on

> phone. Over 120 days its normal internet activation. This policy has been

> in vogue since the beginning. Please check with your local Microsoft for

> confirmation.

> Cheers,

> Farid

>

> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

> news:ue6blWZ7IHA.2416@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>> 2004, on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format

>> and reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine,

>> now every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

>> Almost all of them have been running for years since their last

>> activation. These are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a

>> genuine OEM SP2 CD onto the original PC.

>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>>

>> --

>>

>> ----

>> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

>> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>>

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest Alias]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

David B. wrote:

> Did you even read my post before replying? I'll quote the relevant part,

> "Almost all of them have been running for years since their last

> activation"

>

 

With no hardware changes? Did they have the WGA tool installed?

 

Alias

[Guest Malke]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

David B. wrote:

> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

> 2004, on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format

> and reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine,

> now every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

> Almost all of them have been running for years since their last

> activation. These are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine

> OEM SP2 CD onto the original PC.

> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>

 

Yes. MS changed the activation requirements for generic OEM installs quite a

while ago. They made the requirements more stringent and that's why you're

having to call. Since these installs are on many computers for different

clients, having a volume site license isn't going to work for you. It's a

pain, I know.

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

[Guest Alias]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

Malke wrote:

> David B. wrote:

>

>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>> 2004, on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format

>> and reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine,

>> now every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

>> Almost all of them have been running for years since their last

>> activation. These are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine

>> OEM SP2 CD onto the original PC.

>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>>

>

> Yes. MS changed the activation requirements for generic OEM installs quite a

> while ago.

 

How long ago? I reinstalled an OEM XP Pro back in late May and it

activated on line with no problems. Can you provide documentation?

 

Alias

[Guest Jordan]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

WPA is designed to create hash key of the computer hardware so each time you

install XP, that hardware hash should be the same unless you changed a

component. Even the same model computer will create a unique hash because

of serial numbers in the CPU and disk drive serial numbers as well.

Supposedly no matter how many times you install XP (OEM or other non VL

version) on a computer it is supposed to activate just fne over the net

because of the harware hash anonymously identifying the computer. Kind of

like a finger print with no name attached.

 

Several times I had to build a bunch of computers at a time and lost track

of the key code I was on in my list. I mistakenly put the code on a second

computer and it took. I corrected the problem and put the right code on the

second computer and shortly aftrer had to rebuild the first and was forced

to call in. MS did whatever they did when I called in and now I can redo

that test computer as often as I want with the OEM verions on it. I have

not had to call back in since they updated their records on the phone.

 

If there is an issue at the time with the MS activation server you could get

denied and told to call in.....Or it could be what I have complained to MS

about before. That is their policy of forcing you to place your OEM tag on

the computer for anyone in the building to get a gander at. It could be

that you have an employee giving out your OEM numbers to friends and family

or just posting them on the Internet to stick it to the company.

 

I don't mind the activation part, but I really hate having to keep the code

on the computer for all the world to see because anyone working in the

building could rip you off.

 

 

"David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

news:eG$Ns5a7IHA.1080@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> Did you even read my post before replying? I'll quote the relevant part,

> "Almost all of them have been running for years since their last

> activation"

>

> --

>

> ----

> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>

>

>

> "farid" <faridansari@hotmail.com> wrote in message

> news:uvhVv4Z7IHA.2332@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> If the reinstall is within 120 days you will be required to activate on

>> phone. Over 120 days its normal internet activation. This policy has been

>> in vogue since the beginning. Please check with your local Microsoft for

>> confirmation.

>> Cheers,

>> Farid

>>

>> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

>> news:ue6blWZ7IHA.2416@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>>> 2004, on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we

>>> format and reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just

>>> fine, now every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them

>>> activated. Almost all of them have been running for years since their

>>> last activation. These are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a

>>> genuine OEM SP2 CD onto the original PC.

>>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>>>

>>> --

>>>

>>> ----

>>> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

>>> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest David B.]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

I doubt it's a stolen key issue, 3 different clients, 6 different PC's.

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

 

 

"Jordan" <me@here.com> wrote in message

news:%23RLs7pb7IHA.4548@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> WPA is designed to create hash key of the computer hardware so each time

> you install XP, that hardware hash should be the same unless you changed a

> component. Even the same model computer will create a unique hash because

> of serial numbers in the CPU and disk drive serial numbers as well.

> Supposedly no matter how many times you install XP (OEM or other non VL

> version) on a computer it is supposed to activate just fne over the net

> because of the harware hash anonymously identifying the computer. Kind of

> like a finger print with no name attached.

>

> Several times I had to build a bunch of computers at a time and lost track

> of the key code I was on in my list. I mistakenly put the code on a

> second computer and it took. I corrected the problem and put the right

> code on the second computer and shortly aftrer had to rebuild the first

> and was forced to call in. MS did whatever they did when I called in and

> now I can redo that test computer as often as I want with the OEM verions

> on it. I have not had to call back in since they updated their records on

> the phone.

>

> If there is an issue at the time with the MS activation server you could

> get denied and told to call in.....Or it could be what I have complained

> to MS about before. That is their policy of forcing you to place your OEM

> tag on the computer for anyone in the building to get a gander at. It

> could be that you have an employee giving out your OEM numbers to friends

> and family or just posting them on the Internet to stick it to the

> company.

>

> I don't mind the activation part, but I really hate having to keep the

> code on the computer for all the world to see because anyone working in

> the building could rip you off.

>

>

> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

> news:eG$Ns5a7IHA.1080@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> Did you even read my post before replying? I'll quote the relevant part,

>> "Almost all of them have been running for years since their last

>> activation"

>>

>> --

>>

>> ----

>> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

>> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>>

>>

>>

>> "farid" <faridansari@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>> news:uvhVv4Z7IHA.2332@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>>> If the reinstall is within 120 days you will be required to activate on

>>> phone. Over 120 days its normal internet activation. This policy has

>>> been in vogue since the beginning. Please check with your local

>>> Microsoft for confirmation.

>>> Cheers,

>>> Farid

>>>

>>> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

>>> news:ue6blWZ7IHA.2416@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>>>> 2004, on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we

>>>> format and reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating

>>>> just fine, now every one of them is requiring that I call in to get

>>>> them activated. Almost all of them have been running for years since

>>>> their last activation. These are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled

>>>> with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto the original PC.

>>>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>>>>

>>>> --

>>>>

>>>> ----

>>>> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

>>>> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

>

[Guest David B.]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

Pain is an understatement, have 2 that I have to call in today, but this

behavior just started within the last month or 2.

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

 

 

"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message

news:ec1YWXb7IHA.4548@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> David B. wrote:

>

>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>> 2004, on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format

>> and reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine,

>> now every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

>> Almost all of them have been running for years since their last

>> activation. These are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a

>> genuine

>> OEM SP2 CD onto the original PC.

>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>>

>

> Yes. MS changed the activation requirements for generic OEM installs quite

> a

> while ago. They made the requirements more stringent and that's why you're

> having to call. Since these installs are on many computers for different

> clients, having a volume site license isn't going to work for you. It's a

> pain, I know.

>

> Malke

> --

> MS-MVP

> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

>

[Guest Klaus Jorgensen]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

Alias formulated the question :

> Malke wrote:

>> Yes. MS changed the activation requirements for generic OEM installs quite

>> a while ago.

>

> How long ago? I reinstalled an OEM XP Pro back in late May and it activated

> on line with no problems. Can you provide documentation?

>

 

It applies to preactivated OEM installations only:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457078.aspx

 

Installations from a Microsoft OEM CD should not be affected by this.

 

--

/klaus

[Guest Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

Please contact Microsoft support directly:

https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=9860

 

--

Carey Frisch

Microsoft MVP

Windows Desktop Experience -

Windows Vista Enthusiast

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

 

"David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message news:ue6blWZ7IHA.2416@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in 2004,

on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated. Almost

all of them have been running for years since their last activation. These

are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto the

original PC.

Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

[Guest David B.]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

Guess I'll have to, I asked the first person I talked to when I called to

activate, it apparently confused her because she hung up on me, second

person gave me the canned response, you can only activate a certain amount

of times, bla bla bla, didn't really expect them to have a clue.

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

 

 

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message

news:e9luRwc7IHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> Please contact Microsoft support directly:

> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=9860

>

> --

> Carey Frisch

> Microsoft MVP

> Windows Desktop Experience -

> Windows Vista Enthusiast

>

> ---------------------------------------------------------------

>

> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

> news:ue6blWZ7IHA.2416@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

> 2004,

> on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

> reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

> every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

> Almost

> all of them have been running for years since their last activation. These

> are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto

> the

> original PC.

> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>

> --

>

> ----

> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>

>

>

[Guest Jordan]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

They should not be telling you that you can only activate a certain amount

of times especially in this virus infested world. Most of my fellow

employee's kids are downloading viruses and spyware left and right and if I

don't have the spare time to give them a hand they have to blow away their

computer and start from scratch. Not all of them have pre-activated

recovery disks like Dell's and that would be a royal screw over if they are

only able to re-install twice or something.

 

The whole point of WPA was so they could detect that you are installing on

the exact same computer as before. If they changed the activation system to

only allow you to install your OEM copy on the same hardware just once even

though they know it is the same hardware that would mean if you got a

serious virus you would have to throw out your copy of Windows if you get a

serious virus. That is complete BS if they are trying to tell you that or

even if they now have a system that hounds you when you install it on the

same PC.

 

You tell them there is no way you will tolerate that and badger the operator

into activating your legit copy even if you have to go to the managers.

Enough complaints will get them to stop that BS.

 

 

 

"David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

news:ebZ0t5c7IHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>

> Guess I'll have to, I asked the first person I talked to when I called to

> activate, it apparently confused her because she hung up on me, second

> person gave me the canned response, you can only activate a certain amount

> of times, bla bla bla, didn't really expect them to have a clue.

>

> --

>

>

> ----

> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>

>

>

> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message

> news:e9luRwc7IHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> Please contact Microsoft support directly:

>> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=9860

>>

>> --

>> Carey Frisch

>> Microsoft MVP

>> Windows Desktop Experience -

>> Windows Vista Enthusiast

>>

>> ---------------------------------------------------------------

>>

>> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

>> news:ue6blWZ7IHA.2416@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>> 2004,

>> on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

>> reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

>> every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

>> Almost

>> all of them have been running for years since their last activation.

>> These

>> are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto

>> the

>> original PC.

>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>>

>> --

>>

>> ----

>> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

>> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>>

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest Alias]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

Klaus Jorgensen wrote:

> Alias formulated the question :

>> Malke wrote:

>>> Yes. MS changed the activation requirements for generic OEM installs

>>> quite a while ago.

>>

>> How long ago? I reinstalled an OEM XP Pro back in late May and it

>> activated on line with no problems. Can you provide documentation?

>>

>

> It applies to preactivated OEM installations only:

> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457078.aspx

>

> Installations from a Microsoft OEM CD should not be affected by this.

>

 

I was confused because Malke wrote "generic OEM installs", not "pre

activated OEM installs".

 

Alias

[Guest David B.]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

I think you read something into my post that wasn't there, the issue is not

that they won't activate it.

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

 

 

"Jordan" <me@here.com> wrote in message

news:u$79xld7IHA.1592@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> They should not be telling you that you can only activate a certain amount

> of times especially in this virus infested world. Most of my fellow

> employee's kids are downloading viruses and spyware left and right and if

> I don't have the spare time to give them a hand they have to blow away

> their computer and start from scratch. Not all of them have pre-activated

> recovery disks like Dell's and that would be a royal screw over if they

> are only able to re-install twice or something.

>

> The whole point of WPA was so they could detect that you are installing on

> the exact same computer as before. If they changed the activation system

> to only allow you to install your OEM copy on the same hardware just once

> even though they know it is the same hardware that would mean if you got a

> serious virus you would have to throw out your copy of Windows if you get

> a serious virus. That is complete BS if they are trying to tell you that

> or even if they now have a system that hounds you when you install it on

> the same PC.

>

> You tell them there is no way you will tolerate that and badger the

> operator into activating your legit copy even if you have to go to the

> managers. Enough complaints will get them to stop that BS.

>

>

>

> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

> news:ebZ0t5c7IHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>

>> Guess I'll have to, I asked the first person I talked to when I called to

>> activate, it apparently confused her because she hung up on me, second

>> person gave me the canned response, you can only activate a certain

>> amount of times, bla bla bla, didn't really expect them to have a clue.

>>

>> --

>>

>>

>> ----

>> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

>> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>>

>>

>>

>> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message

>> news:e9luRwc7IHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>> Please contact Microsoft support directly:

>>> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=9860

>>>

>>> --

>>> Carey Frisch

>>> Microsoft MVP

>>> Windows Desktop Experience -

>>> Windows Vista Enthusiast

>>>

>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------

>>>

>>> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

>>> news:ue6blWZ7IHA.2416@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>>> 2004,

>>> on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

>>> reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

>>> every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

>>> Almost

>>> all of them have been running for years since their last activation.

>>> These

>>> are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto

>>> the

>>> original PC.

>>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>>>

>>> --

>>>

>>> ----

>>> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

>>> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>

>

>

[Guest Fat Kev]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

 

In 2030 Microsoft will be releasing a patch so that activation won't be

necessary and they can find other ways to keep their activation servers

busy. I guess by that time you will be using some other operating

system or you may be dead.

 

Good luck in your finding a solution to your immediate problem!

 

 

 

David B. wrote:

> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

> 2004, on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we

> format and reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating

> just fine, now every one of them is requiring that I call in to get

> them activated. Almost all of them have been running for years since

> their last activation. These are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled

> with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto the original PC.

> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>

[Guest Jordan]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

It looks like they are busting chops on people with non-big PC

manufacturers. I purchase white boxes all the time with standard windows

OEM's becasue I hate getting Dell's and other computers loaded with a bunch

of junk.

 

There have been times in the past where our Test department that uses

special program had required an update that required formatting the drive

and starting from scratch. The last thing I want to do is sit on the phone

with MS for 40 computers just to activate a computer that their servers know

is the same one I installed on already.

 

 

"David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

news:uW3UjIp7IHA.4840@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>I think you read something into my post that wasn't there, the issue is not

>that they won't activate it.

>

> --

>

> ----

> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>

>

>

> "Jordan" <me@here.com> wrote in message

> news:u$79xld7IHA.1592@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

>> They should not be telling you that you can only activate a certain

>> amount of times especially in this virus infested world. Most of my

>> fellow employee's kids are downloading viruses and spyware left and right

>> and if I don't have the spare time to give them a hand they have to blow

>> away their computer and start from scratch. Not all of them have

>> pre-activated recovery disks like Dell's and that would be a royal screw

>> over if they are only able to re-install twice or something.

>>

>> The whole point of WPA was so they could detect that you are installing

>> on the exact same computer as before. If they changed the activation

>> system to only allow you to install your OEM copy on the same hardware

>> just once even though they know it is the same hardware that would mean

>> if you got a serious virus you would have to throw out your copy of

>> Windows if you get a serious virus. That is complete BS if they are

>> trying to tell you that or even if they now have a system that hounds you

>> when you install it on the same PC.

>>

>> You tell them there is no way you will tolerate that and badger the

>> operator into activating your legit copy even if you have to go to the

>> managers. Enough complaints will get them to stop that BS.

>>

>>

>>

>> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

>> news:ebZ0t5c7IHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> Guess I'll have to, I asked the first person I talked to when I called

>>> to activate, it apparently confused her because she hung up on me,

>>> second person gave me the canned response, you can only activate a

>>> certain amount of times, bla bla bla, didn't really expect them to have

>>> a clue.

>>>

>>> --

>>>

>>>

>>> ----

>>> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

>>> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message

>>> news:e9luRwc7IHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>> Please contact Microsoft support directly:

>>>> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=9860

>>>>

>>>> --

>>>> Carey Frisch

>>>> Microsoft MVP

>>>> Windows Desktop Experience -

>>>> Windows Vista Enthusiast

>>>>

>>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------

>>>>

>>>> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

>>>> news:ue6blWZ7IHA.2416@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>>>> 2004,

>>>> on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

>>>> reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

>>>> every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

>>>> Almost

>>>> all of them have been running for years since their last activation.

>>>> These

>>>> are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD

>>>> onto the

>>>> original PC.

>>>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>>>>

>>>> --

>>>>

>>>> ----

>>>> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

>>>> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>>>>

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest Klaus Jorgensen]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

Jordan submitted this idea :

> I purchase white boxes all the time with standard windows OEM's becasue I

> hate getting Dell's and other computers loaded with a bunch of junk.

>

 

You can build a "normal" installation CD from an OEM branded

installation using this guide:

http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml

 

I recently did that with a new Lenovo laptop that came with an XP

recovery CD.

 

--

/klaus

[Guest Anteaus]

RE: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

 

There may be changes in SP3 that affect activation.

 

That said, what method are you using to reinstall? I generally find that an

image taken with Acronis/DriveImage etc. after activation will not need

re-activation when it is reloaded. The best arrangement here is split the

disk into two partitions, and image to the second. This allows for a much

quicker restore than from CD/DVD.

 

"David B." wrote:

> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in 2004,

> on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

> reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

> every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated. Almost

> all of them have been running for years since their last activation. These

> are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto the

> original PC.

> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

[Guest Doum]

RE: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

=?Utf-8?B?QW50ZWF1cw==?= <Anteaus@discussions.microsoft.com> écrivait

news:9603AB08-087F-48B5-8AEC-48CE514DC6C9@microsoft.com:

>

> There may be changes in SP3 that affect activation.

>

> That said, what method are you using to reinstall? I generally find

> that an image taken with Acronis/DriveImage etc. after activation will

> not need re-activation when it is reloaded. The best arrangement here

> is split the disk into two partitions, and image to the second. This

> allows for a much quicker restore than from CD/DVD.

>

 

The best arrangement??? And if the hard disk fails you also lose your

backup.

 

IMO a better arrangement would be an external hard disk only connected

when creating or restoring a backup, along with a copy of the backup on

CD/DVD.

 

Doum

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

On Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:55:00 -0700, Anteaus

<Anteaus@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

 

> That said, what method are you using to reinstall? I generally find that an

> image taken with Acronis/DriveImage etc. after activation will not need

> re-activation when it is reloaded. The best arrangement here is split the

> disk into two partitions, and image to the second. This allows for a much

> quicker restore than from CD/DVD.

 

 

 

You say "the best arrangement," but I strenuously disagree. It is the

single worst and weakest form of backup there is. It is better than no

backup at all, but just barely. It leaves you susceptible to

simultaneous loss of the original and backup to many of the most

common dangers: user errors, severe power glitches, nearby lightning

strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the computer. Real backup needs

to be on media stored externally to the computer.

 

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest David B.]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

That's what I was thinking as I noticed it seemed to start around the time I

started using an SP3 slipstreamed OEM CD, but I just did 2 clean re-installs

Friday using the original SP2 disk with the same results. As most of these

boxes get wiped and reloaded only every 2-4 years I don't believe it's worth

the effort creating a recovery partition.

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

 

 

"Anteaus" <Anteaus@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:9603AB08-087F-48B5-8AEC-48CE514DC6C9@microsoft.com...

>

> There may be changes in SP3 that affect activation.

>

> That said, what method are you using to reinstall? I generally find that

> an

> image taken with Acronis/DriveImage etc. after activation will not need

> re-activation when it is reloaded. The best arrangement here is split the

> disk into two partitions, and image to the second. This allows for a much

> quicker restore than from CD/DVD.

>

> "David B." wrote:

>

>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>> 2004,

>> on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

>> reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

>> every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

>> Almost

>> all of them have been running for years since their last activation.

>> These

>> are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto

>> the

>> original PC.

>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>

[Guest David B.]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

As I figured I'm getting nowhere with MS support. emailing with some guy

named Jay Yan, and not surprisingly he can't grasp what I'm trying to tell

him, twice I got the reply of "you can activate by phone" to which I replied

I am aware of that and that is what I have been doing, but that is not what

my question is about. Got an email this morning saying thanks, my case is

resolved and closed, yeah, great support.

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

 

 

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <cnfrisch@nospamgmail.com> wrote in message

news:e9luRwc7IHA.616@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> Please contact Microsoft support directly:

> https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?gprid=9860

>

> --

> Carey Frisch

> Microsoft MVP

> Windows Desktop Experience -

> Windows Vista Enthusiast

>

> ---------------------------------------------------------------

>

> "David B." <mail@nomail.net> wrote in message

> news:ue6blWZ7IHA.2416@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

> 2004,

> on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

> reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

> every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

> Almost

> all of them have been running for years since their last activation. These

> are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto

> the

> original PC.

> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>

> --

>

> ----

> Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

> How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>

>

>

[Guest Jordan]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

Yeah,

 

One of the changes in SP3 is that the CD key from release, SP1, and SP1a

will not work with that CD. You have to slipstream SP3 (or is it SP2c) into

a Pre-SP2 disk which is a hassle. Also, SP2 and SP2c are not

interchangeable either so if you like to install the latest SP from the get

go on your stations that you need to reformat you have to keep a

slipstreamed copy of at least 3 different disks.

 

1a slipped to SP(Latest) for 1a or less

SP2 slipped to SP(Latest) for SP2 only

SP2c/SP3

 

Your CD key needs to match the PID in the setupp.ini on the disk/install

source or else you key won't work.

 

I use RIS server and AD GPs to install my blank PCs to about 95-100% and the

most annoying part is always the difficulty of activation. Don't get me

wrong, I don't mind activating, but it is some of the needless hassles that

they incorporate into the activation process that drives me nuts like things

with the latest Media Player. I use WSUS to update my computer and there

are some I don't allow to access the internet. I fully install update and

activate fine with RIS and WSUS but when I try to use Media Player on these

computers it says not genuine even though they are, but they just can't get

out to the Internet.

 

My most recent ordeal was installing the unit and activating, then putting

in group with no internet access. Then a month later I could not use Media

Player after updating to 10 or 11 or something so I had to remove and

manually reinstall after giving computers Internet access. The Office SP3

comes out and I have to give temp access again to all the computers that I

don't want on the Internet.

 

I hate using all these tools that are designed by MS to help me manage with

Zero Touch methods, but then they are the only ones interfering with my Zero

Touch methods.

 

 

"Anteaus" <Anteaus@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:9603AB08-087F-48B5-8AEC-48CE514DC6C9@microsoft.com...

>

> There may be changes in SP3 that affect activation.

>

> That said, what method are you using to reinstall? I generally find that

> an

> image taken with Acronis/DriveImage etc. after activation will not need

> re-activation when it is reloaded. The best arrangement here is split the

> disk into two partitions, and image to the second. This allows for a much

> quicker restore than from CD/DVD.

>

> "David B." wrote:

>

>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>> 2004,

>> on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

>> reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

>> every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

>> Almost

>> all of them have been running for years since their last activation.

>> These

>> are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto

>> the

>> original PC.

>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>

>

[Guest David B.]

Re: XP Pro OEM recent re-activation failures

 

See my previous post, I have already ruled out it being an SP3 issue.

 

--

 

----

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm

How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

 

 

"Jordan" <me@here.com> wrote in message

news:%23MrFEyL8IHA.2548@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Yeah,

>

> One of the changes in SP3 is that the CD key from release, SP1, and SP1a

> will not work with that CD. You have to slipstream SP3 (or is it SP2c)

> into a Pre-SP2 disk which is a hassle. Also, SP2 and SP2c are not

> interchangeable either so if you like to install the latest SP from the

> get go on your stations that you need to reformat you have to keep a

> slipstreamed copy of at least 3 different disks.

>

> 1a slipped to SP(Latest) for 1a or less

> SP2 slipped to SP(Latest) for SP2 only

> SP2c/SP3

>

> Your CD key needs to match the PID in the setupp.ini on the disk/install

> source or else you key won't work.

>

> I use RIS server and AD GPs to install my blank PCs to about 95-100% and

> the most annoying part is always the difficulty of activation. Don't get

> me wrong, I don't mind activating, but it is some of the needless hassles

> that they incorporate into the activation process that drives me nuts like

> things with the latest Media Player. I use WSUS to update my computer and

> there are some I don't allow to access the internet. I fully install

> update and activate fine with RIS and WSUS but when I try to use Media

> Player on these computers it says not genuine even though they are, but

> they just can't get out to the Internet.

>

> My most recent ordeal was installing the unit and activating, then putting

> in group with no internet access. Then a month later I could not use

> Media Player after updating to 10 or 11 or something so I had to remove

> and manually reinstall after giving computers Internet access. The Office

> SP3 comes out and I have to give temp access again to all the computers

> that I don't want on the Internet.

>

> I hate using all these tools that are designed by MS to help me manage

> with Zero Touch methods, but then they are the only ones interfering with

> my Zero Touch methods.

>

>

> "Anteaus" <Anteaus@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:9603AB08-087F-48B5-8AEC-48CE514DC6C9@microsoft.com...

>>

>> There may be changes in SP3 that affect activation.

>>

>> That said, what method are you using to reinstall? I generally find that

>> an

>> image taken with Acronis/DriveImage etc. after activation will not need

>> re-activation when it is reloaded. The best arrangement here is split the

>> disk into two partitions, and image to the second. This allows for a much

>> quicker restore than from CD/DVD.

>>

>> "David B." wrote:

>>

>>> We have a few hundred identical PC's we built for many clients back in

>>> 2004,

>>> on various occasions due to malware or general corruption we format and

>>> reload them. Up until a month ago they were reactivating just fine, now

>>> every one of them is requiring that I call in to get them activated.

>>> Almost

>>> all of them have been running for years since their last activation.

>>> These

>>> are XP Pro OEM licenses being reinstalled with a genuine OEM SP2 CD onto

>>> the

>>> original PC.

>>> Any ideas? Did MS change something in the activation scheme?

>>

>>

>

>

>