Random XP product activation?

I just had to re-activate my WinXP Pro, as a window popped up and decreed that my hardware has changed enough since it was first activated to warrant it.

Problem is . . . I haven't changed a damn thing! In fact, the only new thing I have done is create a virtual DVD drive, and that was a month ago - and I didn't think an optical drive was enough to "tip the scales" as it were. Then, I wasn't even able to activate it on-line - had to call the freaking number and talk to a virtual chick for about 10mins.

What gives? I've heard of people having this kind of problem, but this is my first experience with it. I'm sending an e-mail to MS, but I don't have much hope of finding an answer there.

 

It could be that something changed in XP's registry to where XP thinks that it hasn't been activated yet... maybe look for malware/viruses/spyware/etc... If you've recently installed or uninstalled some software that awry without you realizing it, that may have done it. It's a strange situation ... there's a key in the registry (I think it's MSOOBE or OOBE or something similar) that controls the activation status and the number of days before XP locks you out and you have to call the 'virtual chick'. If you've done a number of small hardware changes over time, maybe the DVD (virtual or otherwise) was enough to tip the scales.... I dunno... maybe someone else will post and shed more light on this. I kind of fascinated by the whole activation process (yeah, I know, get a life ) so any other input concerning Natakel's situation would be interesting...

hopperdave2000

 

Thanks for the reply, hopperdave2000. After fuming for a while, I think your suggestion that some previous hardware changes were saved and the virtual DVD was enough to trigger it is probably most likely. I'd forgotten that more then a year ago I did change my hard-drives - I ghosted the OS onto the new drives - but perhaps that would have been enough. I have also had virtual hard-drives as well, off and on, but certainly these should not be considered by MS to be hardware changes . . . it is common practice to partition hard drives.

If it doesn't happen again, I can live with it. Is a bit of an aggravation, though . . .

Thanks.

Natakel

 

Well, just in case someone wondered . . . I did get a response back from Microsoft. I have cut and pasted both my questions as sent, and their response. Not a bad response, given the general nature of my questions I guess.

The part about having to reactivate " . . . whenever the hardware of your system is modified . . . " doesn't seem accurate as I understand the process, but considering the multitude of various situations that generate this kind of question it is a safe, more or less true response, I suppose.

Here is a quote from the knowledge base article they linked: . . . Note Some users may have to reactivate MPA if they upgrade a significant number of components in their computer . . . "

The key word for me being "significant" . . . I just don't think changing hard-drives over a year ago and the creation of a virtual DVD ROM should be enough to do it . . . plus, it was almost a month after I created the DVD ROM that the re-activation window popped up . . . Oh, well.

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QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Message: I just had to reactivate my Windows XP Professional. A window popped up on a reboot stating my hardware had changed enough to warrant it. I was unable to connect to the re-activation site via the internet, so I had to call the toll free number. I WAS able to re-activate on the telephone.
My concern is I have not changed any of my hardware for well over a year (hard-drives). The only change I have made recently is the creation of a virtual DVD Rom drive. My questions are:
1) Would this be enough to trigger reactivation?
2) When I remove the virtual drive, am I going to have to re-activate?
3) If the virtual DVD ROM was NOT enough to trigger re-activation, what DID cause it, and how can I avoid this problem in the future?

Thank you,

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Hello Natakel,


Thank you for contacting Microsoft Online Customer Service.

I apologize for the delay in our response to your issue. Due to an increase in requests, our response time is longer than usual. I appreciate your patience in this regard.


I understand from your message that you would like to obtain information on the circumstance that would lead to reactivation of your Windows XP. I realize the importance of this issue and look forward to assisting you today.

As a Customer Service Representative, I would like to inform that whenever the hardware of your system is modified, you need to re-activate the Microsoft Software. Then coming to the second part of your query, uninstalling Hardware components may also lead you to reactivate the Microsoft Software.

If you experience any further issues with activation, I recommend that you contact our Windows Activation Center which has been exclusively set up to handle issues with regard to activation of Windows. Our representatives at this center can be contacted by calling (888) 571-2048, available 24 hours a day.

Natakel, for your convenience, I have also included a Microsoft Knowledge Base article that provides a detailed description about Product Activation:
Article: Description of Microsoft Product Activation
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302806

If you have additional concerns, please do write back to us.


Thank you for using Microsoft Products and Services.