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Thread: Force Windows reactivation

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    Force Windows reactivation

    I've just upgraded a friend's computer, stuck in a new motherboard and given him a nice new case for it all. The problem is, when we come to boot it and log in, it says that the computer cannot be used until Windows is reactivated. It goes to the activation screen, but then comes up with a message saying that Windows is already activated. It then logs you out, and the whole process repeats .

    We can get it into Safe Mode, but what we really need to do is force it to go through product activation again, so it will pick up the new hardware key. I'm sure I've seen this done before with a few commands, but I can't find them anywhere. Can anybody help me out with this? BTW, it's a legal copy of Windows XP home OEM we're dealing with here.

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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    you may have a sticking point as the microsoft OEM license ties you to the hardware it was installed against, therefore a change in motherboard would void the OEM licenses.

    Its a bit of a hot topic on the microsoft license debate, but its also one of the reasons why the OEM licenses are so much cheaper then the full versions
    It is Inevitable.....


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    Quote Originally Posted by ikonia
    you may have a sticking point as the microsoft OEM license ties you to the hardware it was installed against, therefore a change in motherboard would void the OEM licenses.
    Iirc you have 5 hardware changes allowed (which can include a mobo, cpu etc.) before re-activation is required.
    Even then you can re-activate several times until eventually you will have to contact MS for a new no.

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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    thats with the retail version, when they work out its an OEM version they will not re-activate it.
    It is Inevitable.....


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    Nox
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    • Nox's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Yes
      • CPU:
      • Yes
      • Memory:
      • Yes
      • Storage:
      • Yes
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Yes
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      • Case:
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    I was under the impression that was only what microsoft wanted you to believe, and may well be the case in the USA, but didn't stand up when challenged in the European courts. But it is 8am, and I still have minor issues with dreams and reality at this time of day.

    Hmmm, that reminds me of Father Ted...

    Nox

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    Quote Originally Posted by ikonia
    thats with the retail version, when they work out its an OEM version they will not re-activate it.
    They have done with me (twice) ...

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    Nox
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    • Nox's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Yes
      • CPU:
      • Yes
      • Memory:
      • Yes
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      • Yes
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    woohoo! a reality morning!!

    http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/05...ws_copies_you/

    No test case as of that article being written, (2002) but MS have withdrawn the claim that the OS must stay with the hardware if i've read it correctly.

    Nox

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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    I've seen them reject it for 2 friends using cheap OEM copies. The whole point of OEM as I read the license (skim read - its long) is that it must be sold with a bit of kit in principal so therefore changing the kit removesthe validity of the license.

    be interesting to see how you get on with this, I think it depends if the identify your product as an OEM
    It is Inevitable.....


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    Quote Originally Posted by ikonia
    The whole point of OEM as I read the license (skim read - its long) is that it must be sold with a bit of kit in principal so therefore changing the kit removesthe validity of the license.
    In essence the OS may only be installed on 1 system but you are allowed to make changes to that system.
    The ? is what constitutes the system especially as PCs can be incrementally upgraded & therefore over time totally change?

    MS says that the CoA must be affixed to the case so does that mean as long as the case remains the same you can change the hardware?
    Given that the CoA is affixed to the case what happens if you then decide that you would rather shift the hardware into a shiny new case?

    Or you can take the point of view that the OS resides on the HDD & it's therefore the HDD that is the key part?

    What happens if the mobo /cpu/hdd etc. dies & has to be replaced?

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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    there is a definition of this some where

    its something like OEM PC definition.

    Motherboard/CPU/case(chassis)

    The other things are classed as additional and "upgradable" without changing the "model" of the PC.

    I think MS's line on this is - if you change these components then your PC is no longer the OEM product you've bought therefore you need a few OS as its a "different" PC.

    I thought the point of the "retail" XP was for people with home made PC's etc who like to change their full system setup, where OEM was for "off the shelf" products (for want of a better definition)

    Its all open to interperatiation, which is something microsoft will probably change in their next release.
    It is Inevitable.....


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    not posting kempez's Avatar
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    I bought a cheap Dell OEM copy of Win Pro.

    I've changed my PC loads even since then and when I ring up to re-activate I just say that I got it with a Dell PC and have changed it since then.

    Always seems to work for me: and I've called M$ about 10times with the same licence
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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    thats a totally different response to two of my friends who got told that they could not have their licenses re-actived as the changes invalidated the license.
    It is Inevitable.....


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    Senior Member specofdust's Avatar
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    The hardware changes thing is totaly un-predictable. I've changed graphics cards and CPU's without it making a cheep, but after taking out some ram, booting up, and then putting it back in, windows complained. Next time I added a hard disk it didn't. It's weird.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ikonia

    I thought the point of the "retail" XP was for people with home made PC's etc who like to change their full system setup, where OEM was for "off the shelf" products (for want of a better definition)
    Retail entitles you to free support from MS whereas oem is meant to be supported by the system builder.
    That & a bigger box/manual with retail

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    MS says that the CoA must be affixed to the case so does that mean as long as the case remains the same you can change the hardware?
    Given that the CoA is affixed to the case what happens if you then decide that you would rather shift the hardware into a shiny new case?
    Ah, there's my problem. I put the hardware into a very new and very shiny case, so I guess it's been recognised and rejected.

    I've used OEM copies of Windows before, but they've always been one's I've bought, not ones that came preinstalled on shop bought systems. I guess my only options are to either buy another copy of Windows, or seek less legitimate means of getting Windows up and running on the system again. I find it rather dumbfounding that Microsoft force their honest customers in to this kind of practice.

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    And MS wonder why people turn to pirated copies.
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