WinXp activation

[compuwiz1]

Here's the deal. My wife's mom gave her a dead e-machines comp, but she brought it home figuring I could fix it.
I couldn't, because the mainboard was bad, so she bought another, and told me I could salvage whatever parts I wanted from it.
Well, I have a machine that I had wanted to upgrade for sometime. It was an old PIII system I had built some years back.

I had a new P-IV mobo laying around, so I harvested the cpu, 512mb of ddr ram, and the hard drive, as well as the DVD Player / Burner.

I put those into my own box, effectively deactivating the old machine.

I did a reinstall of the OS, but now cannot activate it, even though I have the COA, complete with the proper number, scraped from the back of the junked box. I also backed up the I386 folder, and it is on the same drive, which I harvested from the old machine.

This is not piracy, and is, infact, a legitimate license. Anyone else ever been though activating under these circumstances? No hacks, please. I want to do this legitimately

 

[imported_Ned Flanders]

The E-Machines licence of XP will be an OEM one - ie tied to the dead motherboard of the e-Machines PC.

 

[compuwiz1]

I understand that, but our family still paid for the license, and some of the hardware is being used in a different box. We simply want to transfer it to the new machine, so still only one instance of the installation.

 

[greylica]

It´s the way Microsoft gain money, dead Machines = dead Money ( from your side, course ).
In this case License Value =U$ 0,00 even if you paid license when you buy your computer, and you have to accept this, or you didn´t knew...

Download Debian/Ubuntu or any other distro, Prefer Retail versions intead of OEMs and state in mind you WILL ALWAYS LOOSE MONEY in relationship with Microsoft.

Maybe we have Grown up...
Maybe they have Grown up ...
Who knows ?
The coustomer is in charge...
( Scott Macnealy, when in agreement with Microsoft, telling the customers are suffering... )

http://www.redhat.com/v/mov/INEVITABLE.mov

http://www.redhat.com/v/mov/TruthHappens.mov

http://www.redhat.com/f/mov/choice_small.mov

 

[compuwiz1]

So far, nothing here I can use.

I'm gonna call MS. I have documentation of everything. If they blow me off on this, I may truely feel like I have secumbed to the evil empire. + I can always reboot back into WIn2k, which is not terrible.

 

[QueZart]

How did you do the re-install? with the E-m disc or a another disc? Home or pro? anyway I went thru almost this exact thing a few months ago for my fahter-inlaws E-m
He blew the ****** PSU, so i had to install anew MB.

What i did. is copy the UNATTEND.TXT and setupp.ini files from the I386 folder on the HDD to a fresh one from another Home OEM disc I had. These to files have info on how Win Setup deals with Keys. Delete winnt32.sif/winnt.sif cant member just know which name it was but only one of these 2 may exist if it does delete it. Use NLite to make a New Disc. Do Fresh install. when it came to activation I had to call MS to get the billion alphanumerical digit number. Done.

I told MS the plain truth, It was a Emachines that the MB had fried on and i had to replace it for a client. they din have anyproblems activating it

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: QueZart
How did you do the re-install? with the E-m disc or a another disc? Home or pro? anyway I went thru almost this exact thing a few months ago for my fahter-inlaws E-m
He blew the ****** PSU, so i had to install anew MB.

What i did. is copy the UNATTEND.TXT and setupp.ini files from the I386 folder on the HDD to a fresh one from another Home OEM disc I had. These to files have info on how Win Setup deals with Keys. Delete winnt32.sif/winnt.sif cant member just know which name it was but only one of these 2 may exist if it does delete it. Use NLite to make a New Disc. Do Fresh install. when it came to activation I had to call MS to get the billion alphanumerical digit number. Done.

I told MS the plain truth, It was a Emachines that the MB had fried on and i had to replace it for a client. they din have anyproblems activating it

So, maybe I just need to call in and tell them what happened. I kept the HD out of the Emachine, so I have the install files. I also have the green stamp from the back of the other machine, with the serial number on it. They can trust me, that Emachine is not coming back to life, ever.

 

[nweaver]

It's a licensing thing....

OEM licenses are tied to the Motherboard. You can replace a failed motherboard, but you can't just move the license to another computer. The license (That you agreed to while installing windows) told you this (well that's some fine print for ya'). If you want to move windows licenses from machine to machine, you need to buy the retail box.

 

[cubby1223]

The reactivation will fail, probably saying the product key is invalid. Doesn't matter. Just select the option to phone in activation. The automated process too will fail. Once you get on the phone with a rep, they'll ask you a few standard questions, have you ever activated this copy of windows before, how many other computers is this copy of Windows installed on, what is the model of the computer, what is the product key, where did you buy the computer. Then the rep will give you the activation code.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
The reactivation will fail, probably saying the product key is invalid. Doesn't matter. Just select the option to phone in activation. The automated process too will fail. Once you get on the phone with a rep, they'll ask you a few standard questions, have you ever activated this copy of windows before, how many other computers is this copy of Windows installed on, what is the model of the computer, what is the product key, where did you buy the computer. Then the rep will give you the activation code.

Yea, that's basically what I did once. I didn't get that many questions though As long as it's substantially the same mb it shouldn't be a problem. I went from an I845 to an I865 chipset, they may have taken exception though if I tried to use an I975.

 

[Leros]

Call them up. I replaced a friend's mobo in his E-machine. When it asked him to reactivate, he told them he had an E-Machine, never mentioned the new motherboard (not to fraud them, he didn't know better) and they gave him a replacement CD key.

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: lxskllr

Originally posted by: cubby1223
The reactivation will fail, probably saying the product key is invalid. Doesn't matter. Just select the option to phone in activation. The automated process too will fail. Once you get on the phone with a rep, they'll ask you a few standard questions, have you ever activated this copy of windows before, how many other computers is this copy of Windows installed on, what is the model of the computer, what is the product key, where did you buy the computer. Then the rep will give you the activation code.

Yea, that's basically what I did once. I didn't get that many questions though As long as it's substantially the same mb it shouldn't be a problem. I went from an I845 to an I865 chipset, they may have taken exception though if I tried to use an I975.

A repair install is usually the last step I do after cleaning up a computer from all the spyware, trojans, etc., so I've done way too many phone activations, more than anyone should ever have to be subjected too. The number of questions varies from call to call. The replacement motherboard doesn't even have to be the same to pass reactivation. I've had some computers repaired where either just the motherboard went bad, or the power supply went bad and took out the motherboard, and depending on what I have on hand, I've switched from intel to AMD, and the reverse. They always allow reactivation without a hassle - though these situations are when they more often go through the long set of questions. And as long as you get a rep who doesn't demand the product key to be exact (i.e. asking to repeat letters for clarity), it's a quick & easy process.

 

[stars]

Two words, "data corruption". Fastest way to activate. They jabber out the digits shortly after you say it.

 

[compuwiz1]

Update. I spoke to some rep, who I'm sure was in India. Anyway, once we cleared the slight language barrier, he was quite helpful. It is now activated.

Thanks for the feedback.

And, those who didn't think it could be done, please take a lesson here.

 

[imported_Ned Flanders]

licensing wise you don't have a leg to stand on. You said you wanted a 'legit' way to do it.

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: Ned Flanders
licensing wise you don't have a leg to stand on. You said you wanted a 'legit' way to do it.

mmkay, please explain to me how what I did was not legit. Enlighten me, please. I am the owner of the software, and it is installed on ONE machine only. It was obtained legally, and installed legally. I have the CD key, and as I stated, the other system died.
So, again, please show me where what I have done is illegitimate?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: Ned Flanders
licensing wise you don't have a leg to stand on. You said you wanted a 'legit' way to do it.

mmkay, please explain to me how what I did was not legit. Enlighten me, please. I am the owner of the software, and it is installed on ONE machine only. It was obtained legally, and installed legally. I have the CD key, and as I stated, the other system died.
So, again, please show me where what I have done is illegitimate?

You are the owner of a license to use the software and a round piece of plastic. The license was for the e-machines computer, more specifically the motherboard. Once the motherboard bit the dust, so did all rights to use the software. Didn't you see that in the EULA you agreed to?

Personally, I think replacing bad hardware should be acceptable in the license...

 

[imported_Ned Flanders]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: Ned Flanders
licensing wise you don't have a leg to stand on. You said you wanted a 'legit' way to do it.

mmkay, please explain to me how what I did was not legit. Enlighten me, please. I am the owner of the software, and it is installed on ONE machine only. It was obtained legally, and installed legally. I have the CD key, and as I stated, the other system died.
So, again, please show me where what I have done is illegitimate?

See above post my friend.

 

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: Ned Flanders
licensing wise you don't have a leg to stand on. You said you wanted a 'legit' way to do it.

mmkay, please explain to me how what I did was not legit. Enlighten me, please. I am the owner of the software, and it is installed on ONE machine only. It was obtained legally, and installed legally. I have the CD key, and as I stated, the other system died.
So, again, please show me where what I have done is illegitimate?

You haven't done anything illegal. What the previous poster is referring to is Microsoft broke its own rules. Technically, as mentioned before, the old license is tied to the Emachine mobo and not eligible to be transferred to a new machine. However, they were willing to allow you to transfer the licensing. You're good and have nothing to worry about.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: DetroitSportsFan
You haven't done anything illegal. What the previous poster is referring to is Microsoft broke its own rules. Technically, as mentioned before, the old license is tied to the Emachine mobo and not eligible to be transferred to a new machine. However, they were willing to allow you to transfer the licensing. You're good and have nothing to worry about.

Old women are willing to give conmen their life's savings too...

 

[smitbret]

So Windows licenses are tied to a motherboard? So if he had kept the whole eMachines system and had a shop replace the motherboard for him, then "technically" he wouldn't be able to reactivate the system. I have never read the EULA, but I will bet $$ that you are misinterpreting something.
-Brett

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: smitbret
So Windows licenses are tied to a motherboard? So if he had kept the whole eMachines system and had a shop replace the motherboard for him, then "technically" he wouldn't be able to reactivate the system. I have never read the EULA, but I will bet $$ that you are misinterpreting something.
-Brett

nope....

Windows OEM version is tied to the Hardware, which MS has clarified as the motherboard. Changing parts/moving windows to a new system VIOLATES the EULA that you agree to when installing windows.

Windows Retail lacks that restriction, and can be moved from PC to PC, as long as it is only on a single PC at a time.

This restriction is well known in this forum, and has been proven over and over. MS MAY reactivate on new hardware/new PC, but that is at their good graces, and they are NOT under any obligation to do so.

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: nweaver

Originally posted by: smitbret
So Windows licenses are tied to a motherboard? So if he had kept the whole eMachines system and had a shop replace the motherboard for him, then "technically" he wouldn't be able to reactivate the system. I have never read the EULA, but I will bet $$ that you are misinterpreting something.
-Brett

nope....

Windows OEM version is tied to the Hardware, which MS has clarified as the motherboard. Changing parts/moving windows to a new system VIOLATES the EULA that you agree to when installing windows.

Windows Retail lacks that restriction, and can be moved from PC to PC, as long as it is only on a single PC at a time.

This restriction is well known in this forum, and has been proven over and over. MS MAY reactivate on new hardware/new PC, but that is at their good graces, and they are NOT under any obligation to do so.

Well, they understood what had transpired, as I explained it to the guy, so as far as I'm concerned, I am off the hook. And a dead motherboard, doesn't justify a replacement? Sheesh. I was forthcoming with the information. Maybe these EULA's should be written by this tough community.

 

[stars]

If the EULA's were written by some of the posters here it would read "must buy windows after every reboot".

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: stars
If the EULA's were written by some of the posters here it would read "must buy windows after every reboot".

um...sure....because we actually have some integrity and think that saying "I agree" means...well, you agree to abide by the terms.


btw, I don't run windows, except at work, where it's provided, and run linux there most the time too.