I have a legit version of windows xp pro, and I got a msg when I just logged on saying that this key has been activated its maximum limit and that I have to provide a new key. WTF I don't think i should have to buy a new copy because i have to reinstall all the time do to microsofts bad programing. Does anyone know how to resolve this?
Call MS tech support and ask them, assuming you have only used the key on your machine and just have to reinstall sometimes, they will usually give you a new key. They aren't as bad as they are made out to be.
As you said, you have a legit copy of the software. That means Microsoft will gladly help you. Just give them a call. The appropriate number should be in whatever error message you are getting, but if not it can be found on their website. You'll tell them what is wrong and they'll most likely issue a replacement key. EDIT: Beaten to the punch.
be nice and calm, and they will help you quick. If you are angry they wont' listen and tell you you need to buy a new copy of Windows XP ('cause they would think you lie or something)
Has anyone ever got the automated system to work? Everytime I've had to re-activate I get pushed through to a person.
www.petri.co.il You'll probably find the petri article useful, even if they don't tell you it on the phone. H.B.
Seriously, 99% of the world doesn't have your problem. Look for other reasons. With a bit of common sense it's easy to avoid installing trojans and viruses. Or sort out your hardware if it's instability.
It's not viruses or trojans, I use Nod32 and never get any of that, but no matter how anel I am with my files and keeping things clean, after a while it builds up and bogs me down. I set special folders to install all my applications and I mark them with D_Application name, so I know I installed it. I run diskkeeper at least 2x a week, and I use windoctor to fix issues and clean out my temp folders often. But still after a few months it gets messed up some how and I have to reinstall to get my piece of mind back. I have a legit vista key too, but vista has some issues running some of my games
and here, the only time I ever reinstall is when the mobo gets replaced. I just don't understand why so many people find it necessary to reinstall every few months just for the sake of having a "fresh install"
My XP installs were always solid as well. I have had to do a LOT of them over the years thanks to working with the site, though. Needed to change a lot of hardware out and the whole 10-point activation scheme has caused me many a grey hair. That being said, I've never been told I need a new key, and I have reinstalled ONE copy of XP well over 30 times. You do have to call up and talk to a person every time after your fifth activation however. Once you've passed that, you can no longer use automatic activation. I have asked them to please reset it for me several times and they won't, even when in my line of work it means calling them on a pretty regular basis.
Worked for me every time. And as for reinstalling, I only had to do it so often because I was trying out different mobos and pushing them too far overclocking.
I passed my fifth install, but you can get back 2-3 (I think) more time if you install your copy of XP on a Virtual PC activated it (should work over the net if you never done it before), and wait about 48hours. Else just call them, takes 1min. No wait, and free call. It takes 1 min because you have to say the super long number and they have to tell you an other super long number.
I'm going to have to support all the people who don't understand how you get bogged down. I'm with Tad; the only time the OS gets replaced is when the motherboard gets replaced. Try not to install and uninstall many things, just figure out what you want and install it all one time and you might find things working better.
I had that prob when i had to do a fresh install, had never needed to re-install, so i thoiught the key would be fine, but no i had to fone up microsoft, they were very helpfull though, and it only took me like 2 minutes or sumthin on the fone!
I can see both sides of the argument tbh - a fresh copy of XP does feel that little bit faster, but it's nowhere near worth a reinstall (biggest ballache ever tbh) every couple of months - this install's been going for a good while now, and I've never had problems with it, and it's still pretty quick.
In my experience that feeling of it being faster tends to disappear once everything that I use regularly has been installed (drivers, apps, utilities, games) anyway so I'm with the "No need to reinstall" camp too. A day or two of a perceived performance boost isn't worth the ballache, as Krikkit said above.