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| Activation |
| Newsgroup ::: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general |
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Okay, I format and re-install all my programs every few months. I have just tried to do that again today and when I tried to activate windows, it said I had 'exceeded the amount of times I could activate windows' or something like that! Surely I should be able to format my computer whenever I want - it being my computer and all. It wants me to input a different key, but I would assume it wants me to therefore buy a new copy of windows which I really don't have the money for! Is there anyway around this? |
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Use the phone activation method. -- Regards, Richard Urban Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User (For email, remove the obvious from my address) Quote from George Ankner: If you knew as much as you think you know, You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew! "cprav" <cprav@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:5900659F-F51B-49B2-B248-D2E23FA87205@microsoft.com... > Okay, I format and re-install all my programs every few months. > > I have just tried to do that again today and when I tried to activate > windows, it said I had 'exceeded the amount of times I could activate > windows' or something like that! > > Surely I should be able to format my computer whenever I want - it being > my > computer and all. It wants me to input a different key, but I would > assume > it wants me to therefore buy a new copy of windows which I really don't > have > the money for! > > Is there anyway around this? |
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cprav wrote: > Okay, I format and re-install all my programs every few months. > Why? Have nothing better to do with your time? No matter, it's your choice. > I have just tried to do that again today and when I tried to activate > windows, it said I had 'exceeded the amount of times I could activate > windows' or something like that! > The error message you received is somewhat misleading. What it really means is that you've activated "via the Internet too many times within the last 120 days." Because there is usually no sound technical reason for reinstalling and re-activating WinXP so frequently, the automatic presumption is that the OS is being installed on multiple machines. I think Microsoft should fix this message, but it is, in reality, a relatively minor "cosmetic" issue, so they're probably giving more weight to some silly cost-benefit analysis more than they are their customers' occasional confusion. In actuality, there's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall and activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. Nor is there ever a charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an evaluation license) ever expire. If it's been more than 120 days since you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you might have to make a 5 minute phone call. Here are the facts pertaining to activation: Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/ Windows Product Activation (WPA) http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm > Surely I should be able to format my computer whenever I want - it being my > computer and all. It wants me to input a different key, but I would assume > it wants me to therefore buy a new copy of windows which I really don't have > the money for! > > Is there anyway around this? Simply follow the on-screen instructions to activate via telephone. -- Bruce Chambers Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell |
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Bruce Chambers wrote: > cprav wrote: >> Okay, I format and re-install all my programs every few months. >> > > > Why? Have nothing better to do with your time? No matter, it's > your choice. In many cases, a clean install is quicker than cleaning up an infected machine, especially if you aren't too savvy about cleaning one up. > >> I have just tried to do that again today and when I tried to activate >> windows, it said I had 'exceeded the amount of times I could activate >> windows' or something like that! >> > > > The error message you received is somewhat misleading. What it > really means is that you've activated "via the Internet too many times > within the last 120 days." Then why doesn't it say so? > Because there is usually no sound technical > reason for reinstalling and re-activating WinXP so frequently, So? According to MS, one can reinstall as many times as one's little heart desires. > the > automatic presumption is that the OS is being installed on multiple > machines. Ah, the old you are guilty until you prove you're innocent trip and that trip is getting really old fast. I think Microsoft should fix this message, but it is, in > reality, a relatively minor "cosmetic" issue, No, it is a LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > so they're probably giving > more weight to some silly cost-benefit analysis more than they are their > customers' occasional confusion. NO! MS is famous for not caring about paying customers. > In actuality, there's no limit to the number of times you can > reinstall and activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. Nor is > there ever a charge. Just misleading statements like the above that MS hopes will lead to more XP sales. > Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an > evaluation license) ever expire. If it's been more than 120 days since > you last activated that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able > to activate via the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you > might have to make a 5 minute phone call. 5 minute, maybe. 20 minute likely. Where I live, the phone call is on my dime, not MS'. > > Here are the facts pertaining to activation: > > Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation > http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/ > > Windows Product Activation (WPA) > http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm > > >> Surely I should be able to format my computer whenever I want - it >> being my computer and all. It wants me to input a different key, but >> I would assume it wants me to therefore buy a new copy of windows >> which I really don't have the money for! >> >> Is there anyway around this? > > > Simply follow the on-screen instructions to activate via telephone. Is activation guaranteed by phone? And, if so, what's the point of it? Alias |
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"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message = news:%231sHnLqzGHA.2036@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > cprav wrote: >> Okay, I format and re-install all my programs every few months. >>=20 >=20 >=20 > Why? Have nothing better to do with your time? No matter, it's your=20 > choice. Something, anything that is mine, bought and paid for. I should be able to use it as I wish....... This kind of CRAP is nothing more than a marketing SCAM.... |
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cprav wrote: > Okay, I format and re-install all my programs every few months. > > I have just tried to do that again today and when I tried to activate > windows, it said I had 'exceeded the amount of times I could activate > windows' or something like that! > > Surely I should be able to format my computer whenever I want - it being my > computer and all. It wants me to input a different key, but I would assume > it wants me to therefore buy a new copy of windows which I really don't have > the money for! > > Is there anyway around this? Ok, I'll bite. Why would you want to do this? A properly maintained system doesn't need it. Use phone activation. -- Rock MS MVP Windows - Shell/User |
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