genuine XP

this is a long story, and i know its going to ruffle some feathers but it is 100% true
it starts i got a computer from my in-laws about 3 yrs ago. it was older but i didnt have one at the time so i took it.
about 2 yrs ago i got a game that would barely play on the computer, a friend (at the time, he has since moved away) told me he would trade me for a computer he built + 100 $ (it had a big cpu and more memory). i (not thinking about anything other than a computer that would play my game) agreed.
now, about a week ago i got this microsoft pop up in the tool bar saying that i may be a victim of counterfiting?
i dont want to pay for XP shouldnt it have carried over from my other computer (if thats what my friend did, i dont know and no longer have contact to ask) plus i am going to buy a new computer probably in the next 2 or 3 months, and microsoft will get their money then. (wanna get a laptop, looking for opinions over in the hardware section) but at the same time i dont want to leave this computer volnerable (dont think thats how you speel that???) by needing the updates?
I know there is other operating systems out there, but god knows how much of my stuff i would loose in the transfer, i wouldnt even know where to begin???

any ideas?

 

Hi!
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx?displaylang=en#Question5Label

Good Luck!

 

I have a fix for that I get that and Mine is even legit but I do have a fix for that if you want it let me know

 

Okay.

I think Windows is a little to picky sometimes because if you format your computer in the same week or something and you have to call and activate and they give you the Third degree are you sure you didnt steal this serial and stuff really gets annoying and thats another thing that can make it no go through. I would call them and try to get a differn't activation code or something

 

Greenhorn either has the xp installation Cd or he does not. If he has it, it is relatively easy to ring M$ and reactivate. If he does not, and the XP disk was handed over to the guy that traded then he no longer owns the XP OS. Sad but true. M$ is just protecting its intellectual property. Sorry Greenhorn - make sure when you get your Lappy that the XP CD is part of the deal.
Cheers
Robert

 

He also needs the Certificate of Authenticity with the Product key.

 

They ask how many computers its been installed on, etc.

You don't get a third degree.

 

thats just one of the questions every time I call up they ask me where did I buy my set of windows am I sure I only have it on one computer why did I format my computer and when did I.

 

Then you have given them a reason to be suspicious.

Generally, and for the overwhelming majority, it's a quick and painless process (and I'm someone who hates Product Activation).

 

I am a person who buildes and test pc parts out and they make me activate each time I put a new cd rom in or any thing for that and I call up to reactivate it and they give you the third degree I might be the only one but they do it to me

 

A new CD ROM does not require activation again.......

 

You wanna bet?

 

A new optical drive doesn't require re-activation. You are allowed to change certain items without it affecting activation, CD ROMs being one of them.

The following is taken from Micro$$oft's FAQ,


How does product activation determine tolerance? In other words, how many components of the PC must change before I am required to reactivate?

Common changes to hardware such as upgrading a video card, adding a second hard disk drive, adding RAM or upgrading a CD-ROM device will not require the system to be reactivated.

 

Something must be wrong with my version of windows I have copied or they changed something in the newer versions but I have to reactivate every time

 

Product Activation guidelines haven't changed. In fact, Micro$$oft have made the process less painful.

Use only legal versions and don't use cracks which can screw things up.

 

Sure.


I didn't have to reactivate after I RMA'ed my motherboard and my ram. Guess what? My ram wasn't even the same type as before RMA. Considering that each piece of hardware generates a unique ID for activation, I'd say thats pretty damn impressive.

Did I mention I switched my DVD drive for a DVD RW without activation too?

 

You dont have to re activate if you replace with what you had before If I went and bought another K8N diamond plus and put it in it wouldnt even recognize any thing differnt.

 

Did you note the last line?

 

I've changed....over time....hard drives, memory, roms, video cards. Never had to reactivate.

 

Any time I've ever replaced any hardware on my machine it gives me 3 days to activate

 

Weird indeed.

I was told that you could activate XP 25 times before having to phone them. I must have gone over that because now when I format I have to phone someone in India to get it activated. Don't know why they can't just re-issue another 25.

 

That's because you're using cracks and dodgy copies......

 

i would like to direct everyone to page 30 in the newest issue of PCWorld, for an interesting read about this very subject