HELP - This Copy of Windows is Not Activated !!??

netn00b · Apr 11, 2012, 17:32:57

today i had to take out the old cd/dvd writer as it would not open/close and I had a disc stuck in there. so i took it to a local computer shop and the chap got the cd out and said it was basically buggered.

so instead i bought a new external device so we can use it on the pc and the netbook.

got home and installed the new external device and turned on pc.

On booting windows stops and says something about the hardware has changed significantly on this pc since windows was activated.

When it finally boots up it tells me it's not activated and i have 3 days to do so ? WTF ? HELP !

I had to select NO to do i want to activate it as I dont have a goddamn clue what it's talking about ?

What on earth is going on ? All i've done it remove a dead cd/dvd writer ? If i put it back in will it stop complaining ?

And how on earth is taking out a cd/dvd significant changes ? And what the hell has it got to do with windows what hardware i change in the first place ?

Any info appreciated - what's going to happen in 3 days ?

The PC is over 6 yrs old and was built by someone I used to work with.

Rik · Apr 11, 2012, 17:35:28

You can usually re-activate online if there's a hardware change it reacts to. At worst, it's a phone call - you'll need the CD key.

netn00b · Apr 11, 2012, 17:46:16

cd key ? i dont have anything that i am aware of.

as i said the pc was built for me years ago.

how on earth can it expect me to reactivate something because a cd/dvd broke and i removed it ?

what cr4p is this ?

Rik · Apr 11, 2012, 17:47:50

Microsoft cr4p.

Glenn · Apr 11, 2012, 17:52:09

You can recover the existing key using SIW from http://www.gtopala.com/

.Griff. · Apr 11, 2012, 17:53:46

If it's a genuine copy of Windows then simply re-activate it and "crisis" over. No big deal.

Simon · Apr 11, 2012, 18:08:25

Indeed, Griff. If you're worried about the product key, you may find its on a label stuck to the case somewhere.

Lance · Apr 11, 2012, 18:47:11

I think it requires a certain number of hardware changes before needing reactivating, but they don't have to be at the same time so the dead drive could have been the final change required to set off the trigger.

edit for typos! Stupid phone!!

netn00b · Apr 11, 2012, 19:47:34

thanks all.

will try the suggestions.

@Rik don't i know it

maybe i should save up and become an apple fan boy !

@griff it's a proper copy, i would not have accepted anything else.

@lance well i changed the grafix card about 3 years ago and i reckon i also upgraded the ram at somepoint as its now got 4gb. /sigh

Simon · Apr 11, 2012, 23:06:53

@Lance - a bad workman...

Lance · Apr 11, 2012, 23:15:02

I don't deny it Simon!

Simon · Apr 11, 2012, 23:36:47

armadillo · Apr 11, 2012, 23:38:28

Quote from: netn00b on Apr 11, 2012, 17:46:16

how on earth can it expect me to reactivate something because a cd/dvd broke and i removed it ?

what cr4p is this ?

As others have said, it is MS cr4p that depends on how many "significant" hardware changes you have made since Windows was last activated.

I have not got the list of "significant" to hand but I remember a few of the items and some of them are surprising, though some are obvious:

motherboard, CPU, graphics, amount of RAM, DVD or CD drive or hard drive replaced or added, method of internet access...

That last one is pretty crazy. It means that if you used to use a dial up modem and now use a router on your LAN, it counts as a change of internet access method. So does adding a wireless card or even a wireless USB dongle. If the LAN was not installed before the last activation, it counts as two changes - one for adding the LAN and one for the internet access method.

What worries me is what MS will do when you hit the silly limit with XP after they stop supporting it. XP is the first activation-dependent OS from which MS will have withdrawn support, so there is no precedent. If they refuse to reactivate, then not only will they be withdrawing support but they will be preventing us using what we bought and force us into a new OS and possibly a new PC too. I have reason to be worried. I have replaced a failed motherboard, changed two DVD drives twice each, added a LAN and gone from modem to router. Must be dangerously close to the limit.

Glenn · Apr 12, 2012, 07:17:46

727 days and counting down to the withdrawal of XP support - 08 Apr 2014.

armadillo · Apr 12, 2012, 11:45:36

Glenn.

Good to know I have at least 2 years left with XP.

Technical Ben · Apr 12, 2012, 15:23:41

I would assume the activation will stay up indefinitely.

Simon · Apr 12, 2012, 19:58:54

If it seems too good to be true...

Technical Ben · Apr 12, 2012, 21:27:23

Well, if it gets that far I have two options. Linux, or an abacus.

pctech · Apr 14, 2012, 21:55:24

I don't think they will dismantle the activation infrastructure for XP as they've spent millions and continue to spend millions on Azure, their cloud computing product so it'll just run atop that http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/category/companies/microsoft/.

If they did try and force you to upgrade then I suspect the Department of Justice in the US and Office of Fair Trading in the UK would have something to say and remember its not the first time MS have had a brush with the DoJ.

All I would say is that MS will likely stop patching XP so any flaws discovered after that time will be down to the user to defend against and its likely AV firms will also withdraw support.

Glenn · Apr 14, 2012, 22:01:56

Office 2003 support stops around the same time I believe.

netn00b · Apr 14, 2012, 23:01:42

sorted it. thanks all.