What makes you think Microsoft maintains a database of mobo serial numbers?
Dude, it's common knowledge that MS reads the serial numbers off of system hardware components...................
During activation
Activation is performed with a utility supplied with Windows and Office called the Activation Wizard. It can be performed either over the Internet or by telephone.[1] When activating over the Internet, the Activation Wizard automatically transmits and receives verification data to and from Microsoft servers, completing the process without any interaction by the user.[11] Activation by telephone requires that a user and a Microsoft agent verbally exchange activation information. In this case, an installation ID is generated, which is then be read to the agent. The agent verifies the information and replies with a confirmation ID, which is then typed into the Activation Wizard.[11]
The Activation Wizard generates verification data primarily based on information about hardware in the computer. In Windows XP, information about the following eight categories of hardware are included:[5]
Display adapter
SCSI adapter
IDE adapter
Network adapter MAC address
RAM amount range (e.g. 0-512 MB)
Processor type and serial number
Hard drive device and volume serial number
Optical drive (e.g. DVD-ROM)
The verification data is also based on the product key entered during activation. In some cases, the product key is checked against a list of known illegally distributed keys.[12]
Certain retail copies of Windows and Office sold in certain countries classified as emerging markets have geographical activation restrictions, which only allow the user to activate the product within the indicated region.[13]
[edit] After activation
If activation completes successfully, the user can continue to use the application without any further issues or impediments. However, if activation is not performed within the grace period or fails because of an illegal or invalid product key, the following restrictions will be imposed on the user:
In Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2, after a grace period of 30 days, the operating system cannot be used at all until the activation process is completed successfully.[14][15]
In Windows Vista, after a grace period of 30 days, the operating system will boot only into a reduced functionality mode. The reduced functionality varies based on whether the operating system is simply out of grace or has undergone a failed activation. In the former case, built-in games and premium features like Windows Aero are disabled, and the system is rebooted every hour; in the latter case, certain premium features are disabled and some content is not available from Windows Update.[16][17]
In Windows Vista SP1, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, after a grace period of 30 days (60 days for Windows Server 2008), the operating system will add a text message in the bottom-right hand corner of the screen stating that the copy of Windows in question is not valid, set the desktop background to black, allow only critical and security updates to be downloaded from Windows Update and give periodic reminders to activate the operating system. However, the operating system otherwise functions normally.[16][18][4][19][20]
In Office XP, Office 2003, Office 2007 and Office 2010, after a grace period of 30-60 days for Office 2010, opening the program 25 times for Office 2007 and 50 times for Office 2003 and XP, the programs will enter a reduced functionality mode, where files can be viewed but not edited.[21][22][23][7][2]
When activation takes place, the program saves a record of the verification data in the user's computer. If the system is booted up with significant hardware changes, the application will likely require reactivation to prevent the same copy of the program being installed on two different systems.[24]
Enjoy playing yer Alien Arena on yer linux krappy CPU's..............
Chow
