Big Brother Windows 7

Odos · Dec 13, 2009, 18:19:03

In some ways Windows 7 is a right royal PITA. I recently installed a PCI-E sata card. Suddenly my windows was not activated. No problem just click on activate, except you can't.

According to the error message that comes up, even if you only change drivers and not hardware, you may need to re-activate and ( this is the stupid bit ) with any change you cannot activate online. You have to go through that damned phone system.

And no I don't have an OEM or upgrade version, I have the full retail version that I pre-ordered when upgrades were not going to be available.

It'll not be long before M$ is like Apple, telling you exactly what hardware you can use to upgrade your machine

Rik · Dec 13, 2009, 18:20:42

I thought they, effectively, already did, Tony.

kinmel · Dec 13, 2009, 19:05:08

See what happens if you avail yourself of the "Windows Advantage" scheme

cavillas · Dec 13, 2009, 20:08:07

If you activate more than 5 times with a retail version then you have to re-activate over the phone. If you have to go that way then you get a set of numbers you have to put through the phone key pad and they then read a set of numbers back. One way to re-activate more than 5 times and without further phone problems is to write these numbers down. Next time you have to activate then you can go via the phone route withut phoning up and input the second set of numbers they have previously read down to you. This will work if you use the same hard drive. If this is a completely new machine then you have to phone and actually talk to someone, although the automated sysytem can still work aslong as it is a retail copy of windows 7.

Gary · Dec 13, 2009, 20:14:18

Quote from: Odos on Dec 13, 2009, 18:19:03
It'll not be long before M$ is like Apple, telling you exactly what hardware you can use to upgrade your machine

With Apple upgrading (if you can get access to the machine) is not an issue so much as you think, most parts are Apple components anyway, like the logic board which is built to a spec that you don't worry about changing, its nothing like a PC at all and cannot be compared on that side. You can change hard drives over On Mac pros, iMacs etc you can change Videocards on Mac pros and you can change your ram, the main reason you buy an Apple machine is its all made in house to spec thats the point of an Apple, so tbh I don't see why you mentioned them here

As for your Windows issues, that's a pain you buy the OS you should be able to change what you want within reason, mobos always did need a reactivation even on XP I think, as has been said, the joys of Windows Advantage if you let it aboard, not sure on 7 if you have any choice. If you read your EULA you would have known this though, but who reads them

Odos · Dec 13, 2009, 21:34:43

Quote from: cavillas on Dec 13, 2009, 20:08:07
If you activate more than 5 times with a retail version then you have to re-activate over the phone.

Not counting phoning up today I have activated my copy of windows once only when I first installed it. The OS is still installed on the same hard drive and controller. All I did was put in an after market PCI-E Sata card to run an external removable drive, I did not touch anything else that was already there. When it said windows needed activating again I tried to do it online but it would not.

I can't remember the exact wording of the error message when I tried but it was along the lines of " A piece of hardware OR a hardware driver has changed. The configuration of this machine is no longer the same as that logged in our database for that product code." It then asks that you phone up or buy a new product code, ( yeah right ).

Quote from: cavillas on Dec 13, 2009, 20:08:07
One way to re-activate more than 5 times and without further phone problems is to write these numbers down. Next time you have to activate then you can go via the phone route withut phoning up and input the second set of numbers they have previously read down to you. This will work if you use the same hard drive.

I am doubtful this would work as the code you have to send over the phone to get your new activation code would be different due to the different configuration of the machine. I believe it's this different code that windows calculates with it's internal algorithm which causes the OS to say it's not activated.

Quote from: Gary on Dec 13, 2009, 20:14:18
With Apple upgrading (if you can get access to the machine) is not an issue so much as you think, most parts are Apple components anyway

My point exactly Gary. It HAS to be an Apple component

Please don't take the comment about Apple as a dig at Mac's, I have no preference either way as regards OS's. The point I was trying unsuccessfully to make was that if I wanted the computer/OS manufacturer to have complete control over whats in my computer I would have bought a Mac, I certainly don't expect it from a PC OS

Sebby · Dec 13, 2009, 22:47:59

It's a fair point, and is certainly one of the 'disadvantages' of Macs, if applicable to you (personally, I'm at the point where I just want something that works and I don't need to fiddle with). But no serial number nor activation is required for Mac OS, and that's great.

wiltshirejohn · Dec 14, 2009, 16:26:48

Long live the penguin !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You can put in what you like - it might not work but it is YOUR system.

-- ooooh so many different ways to break things

wiltshirejohn

Rik · Dec 14, 2009, 17:29:31

You need to get together with Danni, John, though wear purple if you do.

Tacitus · Dec 14, 2009, 17:49:44

Quote from: Odos on Dec 13, 2009, 21:34:43
.........It HAS to be an Apple component.....

It's only the motherboard that has to be supplied by Apple - you can't simply buy any old mother board and put that in. As Gary says, hard drives and memory can be replaced with standard components in all Macs. Graphics cards can only be replaced in the Mac Pro and there are also PCI Sata cards available.