Re: XP activation weirdness

On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 20:14:27 GMT, Steph wrote:

> I have a geniune copy of XP Pro - OEM version with SP 2 built in and proper
> COA. Installs fine but it doesn't have an activation icon in the system
> tools menu and it doesn't ask to be activated at any point. This was fine
> until i tried to download from microsoft - when it decided that my version
> couldn't be authorised - it doesn't make sense - anyone else come across
> this issue or have any ideas?
>
> TIA

I know this is stating the painfully obvious, but, do you know for sure
it's a genuine copy, many disks are made available that are pirated, but
look genuine. Your options are, as I see it:
1) to call MS and verify that it is genuine. Be aware that if it's not the
pirate police could show up at your door and demand your copy.
2) go back to the OEM reseller and demand they resolve the issue, the
burden should be on them to verify it's authenticity. Let them know that if
they don't you will be contacting MS and taking option #1. If the pirate
police come knocking then you will give full discolsure as to where the
copy was purchased.

--
HK
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: XP Professional OEM install failed MS validation
    ... Normally, if the copy was the wrong match (a Dell disc in a non-Dell machine, trying to use an upgrade for a full install, etc.), you would not even be able to install, you would be warned when you put in the CD Key that came with the disc. ... You said it was an OEM disc, are you saying it is a generic OEM full version of XP with CD Key or by OEM, did you mean a Dell/Sony/HP etc. disc? ... > was declared a Pirate copy by Microsoft when I tried to validate the ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.mediacenter)
  • Re: Buying new Windows XP Professional
    ... NEVER, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, purchase XP via eBay. ... There are FULL OEM media that can be purchased, but if you read the OEM ... It was unopened and had a genuine MS hologram on it..... ... Were there SEVERAL holograms on the disc? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)
  • Re: Activation?
    ... if it was a pirate version then yes I can see the reason. ... But WHY oh WHY has MS decided to do this for GENUINE versions? ... It's the arrogance and presumption of Microsoft that customers with genuine, paid-for software have NOT got genuine, paid-for software, and Microsoft's complete inability to produce an infallible method of determining that. ... If MS thinks someone is stealing from them, they should call the proper legal authorities, not force paying customers to stand in the crossfire between MS and the pirates. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Big Brother is watching... and nagging
    ... Windows isn't genuine and providing a link to buy a proper copy. ... Genuine customers not inconvenienced ... Except that the way most game companies code this would end up nailing ... because the pirate cracker would remove it. ...
    (comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action)
  • Re: MS WGA Talkback
    ... Genuine / OEM Credibility Gap ... no ability to customize install via answer file ... low standard of crippleware is good enough to be "genuine". ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)