Re-activation fun (OEM)

Changed my hard disc today and re-installed Vista. Internet activation
failed (I knew it would), so rang the number expecting to have to speak to
someone. Instead, I went through the automated phone process and it
activated! I laughed when the voice said "we are now going to activate
Windows XP" (yea you read that right) and read out the numbers. Previous
activations have required me speaking to an operator.

This activation was done with an OEM DVD on a PC that's been 'upgraded' with
new motherboard, graphics card, and memory (activated last week prior to
hard drive change, and now activated again today - two major hardware
changes in the space of a short time).

And I don't think the activation system knows the difference between OEM and
Retail keys, as when I was asked whether the software was 'pre-installed' or
'purchased in a retail store'. I selected 'purchased' (I said the same to
the operator last time I activated).

Hey, at least it worked.
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog...3DB!9709.entry
"Brian W" <> wrote in message
news:kYlYi.13146$%...
> Changed my hard disc today and re-installed Vista. Internet activation
> failed (I knew it would), so rang the number expecting to have to speak to
> someone. Instead, I went through the automated phone process and it
> activated! I laughed when the voice said "we are now going to activate
> Windows XP" (yea you read that right) and read out the numbers. Previous
> activations have required me speaking to an operator.
>
> This activation was done with an OEM DVD on a PC that's been 'upgraded'
> with new motherboard, graphics card, and memory (activated last week prior
> to hard drive change, and now activated again today - two major hardware
> changes in the space of a short time).
>
> And I don't think the activation system knows the difference between OEM
> and Retail keys, as when I was asked whether the software was
> 'pre-installed' or 'purchased in a retail store'. I selected 'purchased'
> (I said the same to the operator last time I activated).
>
>

Brian, just be thankful you managed to get your copy reactivated many other
users don't have that luxury.

I believe the 'XP' part is due to the fact that Microsoft are still using
the XP activation lines for activaing Vista - maybe one day they will get
round to chnaging it :-)

At least you are now up and running again, even if you did tell a little
white lie about purchasing the OEM copy rather than it being pre-installed:-)
Mind you, Microsoft do read these newsgroup posts. so i'm wondering how long
it will take them to catch on to the fact that activation can be completed
with just a lsight twist of the truth.
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

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"Brian W" wrote:

> Changed my hard disc today and re-installed Vista. Internet activation
> failed (I knew it would), so rang the number expecting to have to speak to
> someone. Instead, I went through the automated phone process and it
> activated! I laughed when the voice said "we are now going to activate
> Windows XP" (yea you read that right) and read out the numbers. Previous
> activations have required me speaking to an operator.
>
> This activation was done with an OEM DVD on a PC that's been 'upgraded' with
> new motherboard, graphics card, and memory (activated last week prior to
> hard drive change, and now activated again today - two major hardware
> changes in the space of a short time).
>
> And I don't think the activation system knows the difference between OEM and
> Retail keys, as when I was asked whether the software was 'pre-installed' or
> 'purchased in a retail store'. I selected 'purchased' (I said the same to
> the operator last time I activated).
>
>
>

"John Barnett MVP" <> wrote in message
news:09F7B04D-F38A-4770-942F-...
> Brian, just be thankful you managed to get your copy reactivated many
> other
> users don't have that luxury.
>
> I believe the 'XP' part is due to the fact that Microsoft are still using
> the XP activation lines for activaing Vista - maybe one day they will get
> round to chnaging it :-)
>
> At least you are now up and running again, even if you did tell a little
> white lie about purchasing the OEM copy rather than it being
> pre-installed:-)
> Mind you, Microsoft do read these newsgroup posts. so i'm wondering how
> long
> it will take them to catch on to the fact that activation can be completed
> with just a lsight twist of the truth.

There was no lie, I did purchase my OEM copy from an online supplier, there
are plenty here in the UK that will supply them.