Microsoft clarifies Vista activation

Vikingod · Oct 27, 2006, 01:52 PM

Source: bit-tech
__________
Microsoft today reassured the enthusiast community about the licensing terms of Windows Vista.

We previously read that Vista could prove to be a nightmare for enthusiasts who upgrade often, with only one transfer to a new machine allowed and with the license tied to a particular system configuration in a way that was far more limiting than Windows XP.

A Microsoft spokesman from the Licensing Dept told bit-tech that this would not be the case. He told us that Windows Vista will not require a system re-activation unless the hard drive and one other component is changed. This means that enthusiasts will be able to swap CPUs, memory and graphics cards out without any worry about having to re-activate with MS, either on the internet or by phone.

Should you change the hard drive and another piece of hardware - for example for a major upgrade such as a motherboard change that requires a re-installation - Microsoft will allow you to re-activate up to 10 times. You will not, however, be able to have more than one machine activated concurrently.

Should you wish to activate more than 10 times, you could be busted, or Microsoft could choose to let you activate again at its discretion.

For hardcore system enthusiasts, keeping a ghosted, activated copy of Vista with no drivers could be a good way of being able to swap around components and machines with the minimum amount of hassle.

bug77 · Oct 27, 2006, 03:02 PM

Hm, 10 times is not much better than twice. You're still limited...

unknownjd · Oct 27, 2006, 03:14 PM

If you can't have one or more activations running concurrently then why limit it to 10 activations... has anyone actually gone through the activation process on the phone before - what a pain in the butt!

de.Greywolf · Oct 27, 2006, 03:21 PM

I have activated MANY machines using the phone activation method, and I have found it to be extremely easy everytime.

BWX · Oct 27, 2006, 05:35 PM

What a bunch of crap.. 600+ bucks for a crappy OS and you get 10 activations?

I hope the government breaks up M$ into so many different parts that it isn't even M$ anymore. M$ FUBAR addition..

This is what happens when you have a monopoly.

IamLakota · Oct 27, 2006, 05:38 PM

About every 4th driver upgrade for which ever vid card I decide to use at what ever paticular time I always do a fresh install of windows only twice have I had to call in to get reactivated with XP,and it wasnt that bad after typing in the key I had to wait on the tech to come on and ask why I was needing to redo the activation.I explained I got a bug had to do a reformat and he read me a new key,now the funny part is after doing this twice,some 3/4 months later my old key worked just fine to activate over the net.

BWX · Oct 27, 2006, 06:11 PM

Quote:

I explained

You shouldn't have to explain anything to anyone.. This is just getting worse now.

vailr · Oct 27, 2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikingod

Source: bit-tech
__________
We previously read that Vista could prove to be a nightmare for enthusiasts who upgrade often, with only one transfer to a new machine allowed and with the license tied to a particular system configuration in a way that was far more limiting than Windows XP.

They (M.S.) will still make a distinction between "OEM" and "Full Retail". If you buy an OEM copy, that copy (at least in theory) is tied to a single motherboard. If instead, you own a "Full Retail" edition, you'll then have more lenient options for upgrading to a new motherboard, or even whole new "built from parts" system, at some future time. Of course, if you want to sell the then outdated system, the "Full Retail" edition must be wiped off the hard drive.

technonerd · Oct 27, 2006, 07:36 PM

I've hundreds of time activating on the phone, seem easy? I think not because it takes time and I don't have time for it. I just hate doing activiation part on the phone, it's just annony and it really gets on my freakin nerves.

Pick the Phne:

YES YES YES YES oh it's DELL YES YES, %@$%$# 556243643652462546436134132556476245132451, okay here the key $^@#$^!#%1 346413643643613464316143613461346, yay activate. Imagine that doing it 5-25 times a week on Vista.

IT"S A PAIN IN THE FREAKIN ARSE.

**temeteus82** · Oct 27, 2006, 08:25 PM

well, I have bought OEM xp. And I was thinking to get the upgrade version of vista ultimate. Hope I can make "clean" install with it and with little help from my genuine xp pro cd.

TheBlackCat · Oct 28, 2006, 03:14 AM

So basically this means you are allowed to have 10 different hard drives. How many people go through ten different primary hard drives?

Dyre Straits · Oct 28, 2006, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unknownjd

If you can't have one or more activations running concurrently then why limit it to 10 activations... has anyone actually gone through the activation process on the phone before - what a pain in the butt!

I have had to activate various installations over the phone and have never even once had a hassle. I actually was quite pleased with the response and help I got. It also didn't take very long to do it....maybe 15 minutes at the most...EVER!

The_Neon_Cowboy · Oct 28, 2006, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlackCat

So basically this means you are allowed to have 10 different hard drives. How many people go through ten different primary hard drives?

(or mother boards) in say 4-5 years that say xp has been around? ??? ... loads do....

BlueMak · Oct 28, 2006, 05:58 AM

Wait, so reformatting the drive will not require you to do anything or lose one of the 10 times you have. You actualy have to change a drive 10 times...come on, unless you are a hardware tester, I doubt you will use 10 different primary hard drives over the next 4-5 years. If you lack space you better buy more drives, not replace your c drive every 6 months.
Having said that, I agree I don't like any limitations.

BTW, anyone knows if having the upgrade version of XP will let you buy and install the upgrade version of Vista? I checked the price for Vista and it is way too expensive.

SFOSOK · Oct 28, 2006, 07:24 AM

Hell, everyone buy laptops and shut the hell up

Dyre Straits · Oct 28, 2006, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

Wait, so reformatting the drive will not require you to do anything or lose one of the 10 times you have. You actualy have to change a drive 10 times...come on, unless you are a hardware tester, I doubt you will use 10 different primary hard drives over the next 4-5 years. If you lack space you better buy more drives, not replace your c drive every 6 months.
Having said that, I agree I don't like any limitations.

BTW, anyone knows if having the upgrade version of XP will let you buy and install the upgrade version of Vista? I checked the price for Vista and it is way too expensive.

If they stick to the previous scheme, all you need is a previous version of Windows regardless of whether it's an upgrade or full version.

IamLakota · Oct 28, 2006, 10:40 PM

That is a good point temeteus82,will the upgrade version of vista work with oem,full versions of XP home/Pro or will you have to have an original
"retail" version of XP??

BlueMak · Oct 29, 2006, 01:26 AM

My name is temeteus82?

Dyre, are you sure about that? I seem to remember that you have to have the full version of say w98 to make the upgrade version of XP to install.

**temeteus82** · Oct 29, 2006, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

My name is temeteus82?

wtf?

Dyre Straits · Oct 29, 2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

My name is temeteus82?

Dyre, are you sure about that? I seem to remember that you have to have the full version of say w98 to make the upgrade version of XP to install.

The only original versions of Windows I've had are 3.1 and 95. All the rest of my disks are upgrades. I haven't had any problem installing the OEM Windows XP Pro nor the XP Home Upgrade versions using my 98SE Upgrade disk.

But, if I ever do/did I have the full Windows 95 disk to use.

Tipstaff · Oct 29, 2006, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

The only original versions of Windows I've had are 3.1 and 95. All the rest of my disks are upgrades. I haven't had any problem installing the OEM Windows XP Pro nor the XP Home Upgrade versions using my 98SE Upgrade disk.

But, if I ever do/did I have the full Windows 95 disk to use.

Actually, XP doesn't accept the 95 disc as far as I remember (nor 3.1, NT3.51, NT4.0, and you can't upgrade 2000 to XP Home, only to Pro). Only 98 and up. And as you said, regardless of whether it's an upgrade disc or not, it'll work.. even the OEM discs too.

Dyre Straits · Oct 29, 2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

Actually, XP doesn't accept the 95 disc as far as I remember (nor 3.1, NT3.51, NT4.0, and you can't upgrade 2000 to XP Home, only to Pro). Only 98 and up. And as you said, regardless of whether it's an upgrade disc or not, it'll work.. even the OEM discs too.

I'm almost positive that I used my Windows 95 CD recently when installing XP Home Upgrade on a system temporarily. I couldn't find my 98SE disk immediately, and it installed fine.

Also, I must have been a little groggy...but I DO have a full version XP PRO....it's OEM sent to me by MS about a year and a half ago. So, I DO have a full version of Windows other than the ones I mentioned before.

BWX · Oct 29, 2006, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

but I DO have a full version XP PRO....it's OEM sent to me by MS about a year and a half ago.

Do those OEM versions work the same as a retail version? I thought I read somewhere that you could only activate them one on on PC or something like that..

I was thinking about buying a new Disc- one of those OEM XP pro versions.. they are as low as 85 bucks, but not sure if it will cause headaches when upgrading PC, hard drives, etc.

**temeteus82** · Oct 29, 2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWX

I was thinking about buying a new Disc- one of those OEM XP pro versions.. they are as low as 85 bucks, but not sure if it will cause headaches when upgrading PC, hard drives, etc.

If your rig changes more that 15% then you will have some headaches coming... Trust me I had one. One year ago if I recall right ...

BlueMak · Oct 29, 2006, 06:44 PM

Well, I have installed the same version of XP (disc and key) in 5 different pcs (one of them laptop), though not at the same time apart from one case. So, not just upgrade but completely new PC. In fact in a couple of cases the difference was less than 6 months. No problem at all with activation.

swimtech · Oct 29, 2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

...come on, unless you are a hardware tester, I doubt you will use 10 different primary hard drives over the next 4-5 years...

Yeah, I've been wondering about the Hardware Tester scenario, I guess you have a few days to activate - but activation shouldn't matter for the duration of testing time. I can imagine that you could install the OS countless times on each separate test machine so long as you don't keep it on the machine long enough to need activation.

But for folks like HawgsHead who upgrade often, for example, 400.00 (or 300.00) at discount is still quite an expense, and a lot of folks run multiple machines... MS really ought to consider licensing the individual somehow - or make a "mini site" volume package available.

BlueMak · Oct 29, 2006, 09:22 PM

Well, if your family can afford to have multiple machines in the same house that can run Vista, wouldn't this mean you have enough money to easily buy several copies of Vista too?

BWX · Oct 29, 2006, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueMak

Well, I have installed the same version of XP (disc and key) in 5 different pcs (one of them laptop), though not at the same time apart from one case. So, not just upgrade but completely new PC. In fact in a couple of cases the difference was less than 6 months. No problem at all with activation.

Retail or OEM though?

Anyway.. on this entire subject, M$ is just forcing more people to go to the dark side and use hacked versions with all this B$ activation limits..
They are just punishing the honest users.

Mazuko · Oct 29, 2006, 10:53 PM

The fact of the matter is, that once TWO components have changed you still need to reactivate. For some of us though while we may not change HDD's we change processors, RAM, Videocards, Motherboards, like we were throwing away very expensive empty pop cans. We, even though we are not testers, are the people going to be screwed by this.

XP is the same way but you can at least call and they "reactivate" for you over the telephone. I will just sit with my XP pro...and hope that one day someone supports XP Pro x64 with hardware drivers and software and I will be a happy man.

BlueMak · Oct 30, 2006, 03:46 AM

Did they say they are not going to activate it after the 10 times no matter what?

You change motherboard videcard processor 10 times in every few years? You must be loaded.

Oct 27, 2006, 01:52 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Microsoft clarifies Vista activation Source: bit-tech __________ Microsoft today reassured the enthusiast community about the licensing terms of Windows Vista. We previously read that Vista could prove to be a nightmare for enthusiasts who upgrade often, with only one transfer to a new machine allowed and with the license tied to a particular system configuration in a way that was far more limiting than Windows XP. A Microsoft spokesman from the Licensing Dept told bit-tech that this would not be the case. He told us that Windows Vista will not require a system re-activation unless the hard drive and one other component is changed. This means that enthusiasts will be able to swap CPUs, memory and graphics cards out without any worry about having to re-activate with MS, either on the internet or by phone. Should you change the hard drive and another piece of hardware - for example for a major upgrade such as a motherboard change that requires a re-installation - Microsoft will allow you to re-activate up to 10 times. You will not, however, be able to have more than one machine activated concurrently. Should you wish to activate more than 10 times, you could be busted, or Microsoft could choose to let you activate again at its discretion. For hardcore system enthusiasts, keeping a ghosted, activated copy of Vista with no drivers could be a good way of being able to swap around components and machines with the minimum amount of hassle.

Oct 27, 2006, 03:21 PM	#4
de.Greywolf DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	I have activated MANY machines using the phone activation method, and I have found it to be extremely easy everytime. __________________ Asus A8N-SLI Premium, AMD 64 3700+, 2GB OCZ PC3200 2-3-2-5 1T, eVGA 7800GTX, Audigy 2, WD 74GB Raptor HDD, 160GB Seagate 7200.9 HDD, Plextor 12x DVD/RW/R, OCZ 520W Powerstream, Dell 2407wfp, Klipsch Promedia 2.1, Sennheiser HD555, ThermalTake Tsunami case

Oct 27, 2006, 05:38 PM	#6
IamLakota HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Viriginia Posts: 552 Rep Power: 0	About every 4th driver upgrade for which ever vid card I decide to use at what ever paticular time I always do a fresh install of windows only twice have I had to call in to get reactivated with XP,and it wasnt that bad after typing in the key I had to wait on the tech to come on and ask why I was needing to redo the activation.I explained I got a bug had to do a reformat and he read me a new key,now the funny part is after doing this twice,some 3/4 months later my old key worked just fine to activate over the net. __________________ Harley Davidson: If You Have To Ask You Wouldn't Understand!!! System Specs: Mobo:Asus P6T Deluxe V2,intel i7 920,2x BFG GTX 250 oc in SLI,Corsair 6gigs tri channel pc12800CL8 2xWD Velociraptor's 2x74gig WD Raptor , X-Fi Fatal1ty Titainium,HANNS-G HG281HD 1080p 28" monitor,Coolermaster HAF/922,PC-PWR&Cooling Sliencer 750,CoolerMaster V8 HSF

Oct 28, 2006, 03:14 AM	#11
TheBlackCat DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Searching for the Candle in the Dark Posts: 567 Rep Power: 0	So basically this means you are allowed to have 10 different hard drives. How many people go through ten different primary hard drives? __________________ [color=#000000]There is always an easy solution to every human problem—neat, plausible and wrong.[/color] -H. L. Mencken

Oct 28, 2006, 05:58 AM	#14
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Wait, so reformatting the drive will not require you to do anything or lose one of the 10 times you have. You actualy have to change a drive 10 times...come on, unless you are a hardware tester, I doubt you will use 10 different primary hard drives over the next 4-5 years. If you lack space you better buy more drives, not replace your c drive every 6 months. Having said that, I agree I don't like any limitations. BTW, anyone knows if having the upgrade version of XP will let you buy and install the upgrade version of Vista? I checked the price for Vista and it is way too expensive. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Oct 27, 2006, 03:02 PM	#2
bug77 DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: around Posts: 792 Rep Power: 0	Hm, 10 times is not much better than twice. You're still limited...

Oct 27, 2006, 03:14 PM	#3
unknownjd DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0	If you can't have one or more activations running concurrently then why limit it to 10 activations... has anyone actually gone through the activation process on the phone before - what a pain in the butt!

Oct 27, 2006, 05:35 PM	#5
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	What a bunch of crap.. 600+ bucks for a crappy OS and you get 10 activations? I hope the government breaks up M$ into so many different parts that it isn't even M$ anymore. M$ FUBAR addition.. This is what happens when you have a monopoly.

Oct 27, 2006, 07:36 PM	#9
technonerd DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 594 Rep Power: 0	I've hundreds of time activating on the phone, seem easy? I think not because it takes time and I don't have time for it. I just hate doing activiation part on the phone, it's just annony and it really gets on my freakin nerves. Pick the Phne: YES YES YES YES oh it's DELL YES YES, %@$%$# 556243643652462546436134132556476245132451, okay here the key $^@#$^!#%1 346413643643613464316143613461346, yay activate. Imagine that doing it 5-25 times a week on Vista. IT"S A PAIN IN THE FREAKIN ARSE.

Oct 28, 2006, 07:24 AM	#15
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	Hell, everyone buy laptops and shut the hell up __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Oct 28, 2006, 10:40 PM	#17
IamLakota HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Viriginia Posts: 552 Rep Power: 0	That is a good point temeteus82,will the upgrade version of vista work with oem,full versions of XP home/Pro or will you have to have an original "retail" version of XP?? __________________ Harley Davidson: If You Have To Ask You Wouldn't Understand!!! System Specs: Mobo:Asus P6T Deluxe V2,intel i7 920,2x BFG GTX 250 oc in SLI,Corsair 6gigs tri channel pc12800CL8 2xWD Velociraptor's 2x74gig WD Raptor , X-Fi Fatal1ty Titainium,HANNS-G HG281HD 1080p 28" monitor,Coolermaster HAF/922,PC-PWR&Cooling Sliencer 750,CoolerMaster V8 HSF

Oct 29, 2006, 01:26 AM	#18
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	My name is temeteus82? Dyre, are you sure about that? I seem to remember that you have to have the full version of say w98 to make the upgrade version of XP to install. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Oct 29, 2006, 06:44 PM	#25
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Well, I have installed the same version of XP (disc and key) in 5 different pcs (one of them laptop), though not at the same time apart from one case. So, not just upgrade but completely new PC. In fact in a couple of cases the difference was less than 6 months. No problem at all with activation. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Oct 29, 2006, 09:22 PM	#27
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Well, if your family can afford to have multiple machines in the same house that can run Vista, wouldn't this mean you have enough money to easily buy several copies of Vista too? __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Oct 29, 2006, 10:53 PM	#29
Mazuko DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,008 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	The fact of the matter is, that once TWO components have changed you still need to reactivate. For some of us though while we may not change HDD's we change processors, RAM, Videocards, Motherboards, like we were throwing away very expensive empty pop cans. We, even though we are not testers, are the people going to be screwed by this. XP is the same way but you can at least call and they "reactivate" for you over the telephone. I will just sit with my XP pro...and hope that one day someone supports XP Pro x64 with hardware drivers and software and I will be a happy man. __________________ E-bay feedback: http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...me=STRK:ME:UFS

Oct 30, 2006, 03:46 AM	#30
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,465 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Did they say they are not going to activate it after the 10 times no matter what? You change motherboard videcard processor 10 times in every few years? You must be loaded. __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*