Please contact Microsoft support directly:
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...spx?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

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/de...spx?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
>
>
>

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/de...spx?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
>>
>>
>>
>
>

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/l.../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

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/de...spx?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
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>

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?
>

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/de...spx?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
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

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/cre...etupdisk.shtml

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

--
/klaus

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?

=?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