Windows messing around again.. ( validation because of a hardware change :| )

Archangel

Archangel

VIP Member
Well.. i just got my new Motherboard... and it booted up on the windows i still had on the disk ( Win xp x64 pro ).
i have a legal version of it,.. and im the only one who uses that key.... however, i reinstalled windows recently because i had a virus,.. and now when i want to validate it again.. it says too many pc's would have windows running with that Key.. the key is registered at my name by microsoft tough... so noone else could use it (as far as i know)

so... is there any way of activating my windows again?
 
Yeah, changing the motherboard is not something that windows likes when you reinstall and try to activate. You might need to just follow the "activation via phone" steps and get it cleared up with Microsoft. It shouldn't be a problem since your copy is legal.

Check out the last post in the following thread. There I posted how it is determined if your activation will be accepted.
http://www.computerforum.com/49008-...tml?highlight=windows+activation+point+system
 
i called them yesterday, and explained my situation.. they said they couldnt verify it, because its hardware bound, and my old motherboard wasnt broken..
I just called again, told them my motherboard got cooked, and i couldnt get the same one again (since its a bit old),.. and they just gave me a key.

I'm kinda sorry i told them a lie... but then, i paid money for the windows version,a nd im the only one that uses it,. so its ok i gues.
 
Archangel said:
i called them yesterday, and explained my situation.. they said they couldnt verify it, because its hardware bound, and my old motherboard wasnt broken..
I just called again, told them my motherboard got cooked, and i couldnt get the same one again (since its a bit old),.. and they just gave me a key.

I'm kinda sorry i told them a lie... but then, i paid money for the windows version,a nd im the only one that uses it,. so its ok i gues.
Click to expand...


Not like Billy is hurting for his next meal!!
 
Typically the conversation goes something like this with me.

Is this the first time you are activating this copy of Windows?
No
What is the reason for the re-activation?
I upgraded my machine, and now it wants me to re-activate.
How many computers have you used this key on?
Only one ( ;) )
Thank you. Here's your code :)
 
loque said:
Typically the conversation goes something like this with me.

Is this the first time you are activating this copy of Windows?
No
What is the reason for the re-activation?
I upgraded my machine, and now it wants me to re-activate.
How many computers have you used this key on?
Only one ( ;) )
Thank you. Here's your code :)
Click to expand...

That always works perfectly fine for me :)

A few days ago I was on the phone with them for around 45minutes, because I told them I downloaded XP Pro and the CD-Key it gave me didn't work. Took them forever to fix it :rolleyes:
 
[-0MEGA-];455537 said:
That always works perfectly fine for me :)

A few days ago I was on the phone with them for around 45minutes, because I told them I downloaded XP Pro and the CD-Key it gave me didn't work. Took them forever to fix it :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

i gues i got some blonde secretairy chick the first time then.. ( sorry for the stereotype :P ) because when she asked me if my old motherboard was broke, and i answered no, she said she couldnt activate it, since my windows version was OEM ( well... i dont know sure about that,.. but i didnt get a box or something with it,.. i had to download the windows disk myself, and i got the legal key through email from my school ).

when i called again, i told them i changed motherboard since the old one broke down, no question about if it was oem or retail,... i just got the key.
maybe it had something to do with it beeing a guy the second time.. :rolleyes:

all in all,. i cant complain about their service tough.. :)
 
Archangel said:
when i called again, i told them i changed motherboard since the old one broke down, no question about if it was oem or retail,... i just got the key.
maybe it had something to do with it beeing a guy the second time.. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I'm thinking it's because if you install a new motherboard, it's technically seen as a different computer to the OS, and Microsoft may see it as trying to activate on a new computer.
 
[-0MEGA-];455545 said:
I'm thinking it's because if you install a new motherboard, it's technically seen as a different computer to the OS, and Microsoft may see it as trying to activate on a new computer.
Click to expand...


yup, since about all the devices are onboard.. ( LAN, IDE controllers, SATA etc ) half the device manager list is from the motherboard only :)
ah well... it works again.. and am haaaapppyyyyyyy :D
 
Apparently, Windows will tolerate up to 3 hardware items changing.

I put in a new motherboard and added some new RAM. That's two items, so XP should not have required re-activated.

Different story when I booted though...it wouldn't let me log in at all.

Turns out I'd put the CD-ROM drive as the primary on the second IDE channel whereas it was secondary on the first IDE channel before. So even though the hardware didn't change, Windows thought it had.

A CPU change only counts if it supports a CPU serial number I believe, but nothing would surprise me with this activation lark.
 
loque said:
Apparently, Windows will tolerate up to 3 hardware items changing.

I put in a new motherboard and added some new RAM. That's two items, so XP should not have required re-activated.

Different story when I booted though...it wouldn't let me log in at all.

Turns out I'd put the CD-ROM drive as the primary on the second IDE channel whereas it was secondary on the first IDE channel before. So even though the hardware didn't change, Windows thought it had.

A CPU change only counts if it supports a CPU serial number I believe, but nothing would surprise me with this activation lark.
Click to expand...

well.. the motherboard doesnt cound for 1 device i think. at least mine didnt :D
 
Code: 
    double word | offset | length | bit-field value based on
    ------------+--------+--------+----------------------------
         H1     |      0 |     10 | volume serial number string
                |        |        | of system volume
         H1     |     10 |     10 | network adapter MAC address
                |        |        | string
         H1     |     20 |      7 | CD-ROM drive hardware
                |        |        | identification string
         H1     |     27 |      5 | graphics adapter hardware
                |        |        | identification string
         H2     |      0 |      3 | unused, set to 001
         H2     |      3 |      6 | CPU serial number string
         H2     |      9 |      7 | harddrive hardware
                |        |        | identification string
         H2     |     16 |      5 | SCSI host adapter hardware
                |        |        | identification string
         H2     |     21 |      4 | IDE controller hardware
                |        |        | identification string
         H2     |     25 |      3 | processor model string
         H2     |     28 |      3 | RAM size
         H2     |     31 |      1 | 1 = dockable
                |        |        | 0 = not dockable
Source: http://www.licenturion.com/xp/fully-licensed-wpa.txt

Here's what it bases the installation ID on. More than I thought to be honest.
 
yes.. nevertheless.. I registered my windows at MS (dont blame me.. :o ) so i guess they had the harware profile online there
 
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