I had to do an activation on the telephone very recently, because I had removed some components due to some problems. One of these was the processor, which I sent to AMD for testing. I would not have activated when I did, except that somehow the system clock got set back 2 months, and when I reset it, Windows demanded to be activated. Now that I have had the processor returned and needing to be installed, I'm wondering if I will have to activate again, or if the last activation gives me a new set of activations before it squawks again?

Just phone the hotline again if it asks. The two important things that they need to know is that you don't have it installed on more than one machine, and that you have made no major hardware changes. It asks these two questions a few times just reworded so you have to be a little careful to get the answers right.

Oh yea, make sure you have "Num Lock" on before the nice automated lady reads out the very long activation number...

Or just write it down on a sheet of paper. If you keep that piece of paper, you can then re-use the activation code in the event it messes up again.

I always thought it was was a new number each time...

It depends on the code you give them. If that's the same each time, the reply will be the same. It's made up, in part, by your hardware configuration, so changing the hardware will change the code you give them. After so many times (3 for me) it refused to give me a new activation code and I had to speak to a real person and convince them to give me a new code. After the 5th time, even the person refused to give me a new code, so for the past few years I've been Windows-free.

jgoguen - you are entitled to a refund if they won't give you a code... Else they have charged you for a product they won't let you use.

They seem to get around that because I somehow ended up with an OEM copy. They said to talk to the people who built my computer...which is me. But I have no use for Windows anymore. I haven't needed it for anything, and Ubuntu has done more than Windows could and made me more productive. Finally, I can install and be productive within 2 hours

Ok, for one, how did you end up with an OEM version? Did you purchase this version in the store or some retail? If you built your own computer, then you had no Windows with it. Did you use it from another machine? My guess is you had an OEM version from another machine and you tried to use it on the one you built. Otherwise had you paid 300 to 600 depending if it's xp or vista, you surely would have WANTED a refund. As well, writing down the code they give you will not work, if you try to reuse it after another change that would kick it off, it will state it has expired or not valid unless by a slight chance it slips through the cracks.

Going with Ubuntu is your best bet.

Paul

Apparently a lot of retailers will sell OEM copies along with major components, such as a hard drive.

Correct,and good point, however the user typically knows this, which is why the statement of "somehow I ended up with OEM version" draws question. If it was shipped with a part, typically it states an OEM copy outright when you read of additions of the package. If it did not, this warrants some looking into. As well, what MS has done is this, allow retailers to sell a version of Windows, yet you have to pay for it to activate it else activation won't work. Some get away with it when first installed then when needing re-activation, it suddenly won't work. Even some employees don't know that, "those who do activation". The manufacturers are told this but the user has no idea, plus Microsoft does NOT have this in the EULA. Some are only allowed an X number of activations too.

So really, there are only a couple of reasons for this and one can very well be an OEM from another PC trying to be installed on this new computer.

Although this would explain why they aren't too worried about it, lol. Either way, there are many options and thank goodness for open source.


OMIF

BTW, mind if I use your avatar, not for internet but just save as for my wife? She loves it...

I'm still using a version of Windows XP that does not require activation.

I just love it. And even more when I read this

I purchased it from CompuSmart. I don't know if you have any around where you are, but we had one close recently here. I just bought the OS, and there was no sticker or labels saying it was only to be distributed with a new PC, so I figured I was OK. MS only said they would "look into it", but I have no idea if anything came of it. No one seems to be able to find anything about it anyway.

That's right. But I wanted to play games. Which I don't anymore, and I find I don't miss them as much as I thought I might. Having a PS2 and a Wii might help there though

Not this time. Tried that with the version that came with the last laptop I had, MS wouldn't even give me a new key. Didn't figure they would since the license prohibits transferring between machines, but figured I'd try

Most retailers won't refund software since you could buy it, copy it, and return it. Depending on what laws you look at in what country, this is either perfectly legal or totally illegal, but I've never heard of anyone successfully returning software.

Agreed. It does everything I ask of it.

What they did was illegal. Read that again, "only to be distributed with a new computer" In other words, it was supposed to be distributed WITH that brand of pc it came with, eg...HP pavilion. It will only work on that machine. This is illegal and you got ripped. I would contact CompuNotsoSmart and complain whether main office, etc... I knew something wasn't right and bingo, that would be it. A tech where I live had a shop and he did the same and did it a lot. He ended up paying for all those licenses and got shut down for a while. While I know all laws are not the same everywhere, i'm fairly sure that one is illegal pretty much everywhere.

One more thing, the reason I mentioned a refund is due to this reason. Typically you can't get a refund on software but there are certain instances where you can or at least exchange for a correct version.


Cheers,

OMIF

Here in the UK computer shops openly sell OEM versions of Windows. There is nothing illegal about it. Here is one... Vista Home Basic 32bit for 55 quid, that is almost tempting LOL

Yep, in the UK but that's due to the non patent laws and such as with codecs, in the US, it is illegal to sell them separate from whatever PC it's meant for.
It seems the land of the free is one of the least these days. Sure there are worse but still, keeping it from getting worse is another thing. Too bad we're run by corporations as much as government.
But without getting too far off topic, the OEMs have many different standards and licenses. It could be this was a valid OEM but typically when only sold with PC, that usually means just that which is why I think it's bogus and would demand my money back or exchange for full version.

OMIF

OEM used to mean here what it dose in the US, you get it with the hardware.

I'm not sure when it happened but now it means "without nice packaging" You buy a "OEM" hardware not sure how that works. I do know that it will be cheaper, buy a DVD writer and it will come in a plastic ESD bag. Rather than a big box and documentation.

With Windows you just get the CD, activation code and some very fine print legal stuff. No nice big box, documentation, but who needs all of the crap anyhow...