WARNING: device driver updates causing Vista to deactivate

Vikingod · Oct 24, 2007, 01:45 PM

Source: APC Mag
_______________
After weeks of gruelling troubleshooting, I've finally had it confirmed by Microsoft Australia and USA -- something as small as swapping the video card or updating a device driver can trigger a total Vista deactivation.

Put simply, your copy of Windows will stop working with very little notice (three days) and your PC will go into "reduced functionality" mode, where you can't do anything but use the web browser for half an hour.

You'll then need to reapply to Microsoft to get a new activation code.

How can this crazy situation occur? Read on for the sorry tale.

Alistair · Oct 25, 2007, 08:45 PM

Bah I noticed this a long time ago and reported it on these very forums:

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/windows-...rk-warned.html

Dark Lord · Oct 25, 2007, 08:49 PM

if i understand that correctly, something as simple as updating your video card drivers can deactivate vista?

Zelig · Oct 25, 2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Lord

if i understand that correctly, something as simple as updating your video card drivers can deactivate vista?

In theory yes, in practice, I've haven't seen in happen yet, and doubt it would be a common occurence.

Chaosophy · Oct 25, 2007, 09:31 PM

Nothing new, I've had XP do that to me before after a time where I updated/changed a lot of drivers over a few days one week.

Tril · Oct 26, 2007, 01:59 PM

I ordered a new video card and I'll receive it in a few days/weeks. We'll see if it triggers deactivation. it should not trigger since it's only one component.

I went through the process of reactivation before for XP. It was annoying but it went smoothly. No questions asked. It did not take more than 15 minutes on the phone on a toll free number.

Oct 24, 2007, 01:45 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	WARNING: device driver updates causing Vista to deactivate Source: APC Mag _______________ After weeks of gruelling troubleshooting, I've finally had it confirmed by Microsoft Australia and USA -- something as small as swapping the video card or updating a device driver can trigger a total Vista deactivation. Put simply, your copy of Windows will stop working with very little notice (three days) and your PC will go into "reduced functionality" mode, where you can't do anything but use the web browser for half an hour. You'll then need to reapply to Microsoft to get a new activation code. How can this crazy situation occur? Read on for the sorry tale.

Oct 25, 2007, 08:45 PM	#2
Alistair Spoos Join Date: May 2002 Location: State College, PA, USA Posts: 435 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Bah I noticed this a long time ago and reported it on these very forums: http://www.hardwareheaven.com/windows-...rk-warned.html __________________ - Alistair

Oct 25, 2007, 08:49 PM	#3
Dark Lord HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,945 Rep Power: 125 System Specs	if i understand that correctly, something as simple as updating your video card drivers can deactivate vista? __________________

Oct 25, 2007, 09:31 PM	#5
Chaosophy DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: London, England Posts: 41 Rep Power: 0	Nothing new, I've had XP do that to me before after a time where I updated/changed a lot of drivers over a few days one week.

Oct 26, 2007, 01:59 PM	#6
Tril S-3D enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,676 Rep Power: 64 System Specs	I ordered a new video card and I'll receive it in a few days/weeks. We'll see if it triggers deactivation. it should not trigger since it's only one component. I went through the process of reactivation before for XP. It was annoying but it went smoothly. No questions asked. It did not take more than 15 minutes on the phone on a toll free number.