A new system in Windows XP, intended to curb software piracy, requires every Windows XP user to call Microsoft (or connect via the web) to obtain a long product activation key for each installation. As though the 25-character CD key on the back of the CD package in previous versions of Windows wasn't enough, now users are expected to make a phone call to ask Microsoft's permission to use Windows XP.
Now, I can certainly understand Microsoft's desire to reduce the illegal copying of their products, but many users feel that this goes beyond reasonable copy protection. Here are some tips and additional information relating to XP activation:
Do I have to activate my copy of Windows XP?
Yes. If you don't enter the product key within a certain period after installing, Windows XP will expire, and will cease to function -- which may be a blessing in disguise
.
How often do I have to activate Windows XP?
In theory, only once. But the activation code is just as susceptible to bugs as any other component of Windows.
Will the activation key work more on more than one computer?
The whole point is to prevent the use of a single copy of Windows XP on more than one machine. Each machine will need its own key. You may have to set up Internet Connection Sharing just to activate all the XP machines on a network.
Is online activation safe?
For those concerned about the big-brother aspect, you're not alone. Microsoft has gotten as much bad press about this feature as Intel did when they started shipping processors with serial numbers that could be read by software. Although Microsoft insists that the online activation is benign, you may want to stick with the tedious telephone activation procedure to be on the safe side.
Can you provide a key so I don't have to activate XP?
No.
Why not?
They key is generated by a computer at Microsoft, as a result of a "hardware hash," a long sequence of numbers based on a information found in your computer's hardware. The specific devices used are as follows:
1. Display adapter
2. SCSI adapter (if found)
3. IDE adapter
4. Network adapter MAC address (if available)
5. RAM amount range
6. Processor type
7. Processor serial number
8. Hard drive
9. Hard drive volume serial number
10. CD-ROM, CD-RW, or DVD-ROM
This ensures that one person's key will not work on another system.
What if my hard disk crashes or a virus attacks, and I have to reformat?
You'll have to activate Windows XP again. However, since all your hardware is the same, Microsoft will simply re-issue you the same key.
What if I upgrade my hardware?
Theoretically, upgrading a single component in your system won't reset the XP activation key. However, simultaneously upgrading your motherboard, processor, memory, and video card will probably raise a red flag, and you'll probably have to get a new key. Likewise, if you purchase an entirely new computer and install your existing copy of XP on the new machine, you'll certainly have to obtain a new key from Microsoft.
Wait - how can I get a new key? Won't Microsoft reject a request for a second key if I have different hardware? Isn't that the whole purpose of product activation?
Well, yes; the automatic, online activation will probably fail. However, you can call Microsoft using the phone number provided, explain your problem, and they'll issue you a second key (and a third, etc.).
So can't I just install Windows XP on five different machines, and tell Microsoft that I've upgraded five times?
Yes.
What's to stop me from using this loophole to install Windows XP on a bunch of different machines?
Not much, although if you try to pull this five times in the same week, Microsoft will probably catch on.
Unfortunately, those who upgrade frequently may be punished the most with this hassle, which is ironic, because these early adopters are the bread-and-butter of the computer industry.
Is there any way to activate XP without contacting Microsoft?
Not really. There are a number of "cracks" on the web that reportedly circumvent the activation, but they will not be listed here.
Why not?
Are you joking? For those who don't know, it is illegal to circumvent copy protection or to provide means of circumventing copy protection. As much as we'd like to "stick it to the man," we'd be shut down if we pulled something like that. Sorry.
Besides, it's just a little unethical, and we like to practice what we preach.
Are there any users who won't have to activate their copies of Windows XP?
Yes:
1. If you purchase a new computer with Windows XP pre-installed, it will most likely come pre-activated. The only problem then is if you attempt a major upgrade.
2. The version of Windows XP Professional sold with a large corporate site-license doesn't contain the activation code. If you're using that version, you'll never have to activate it.
Microsoft says that Product Activation helps protect me from software piracy, such as hard drive cloning. Is this true?
No. The only ones who benefit from product activation are the bean counters at Microsoft.
Doesn't a reduction in software piracy ultimately lead to lower prices?
You'd think so. But strangly, Windows XP will be the most expensive new version of Windows ever released for home users.
Does Microsoft have a right to do this?
You bet.
But just because they have the right, doesn't mean it is in their best interest in the long run. They may indeed lose more money handling support calls from angry customers and from lost sales due to the negative press, then they would've lost without this extreme form of copy protection.
For example, some users may simply migrate to Windows 2000 instead; in addition to being nearly the same core operating system as XP, it has lower system requirements, a less annoying interface, and no product activation of any kind.
What can I do to stop Microsoft from doing this again?
Call them and complain. Explain that they are losing customers by treating them like thieves.
Can you say anything to make me feel better about this?
Well, after installing Windows XP, you'll probably have to connect to Microsoft's Windows Update site anyway to download all the bug fixes. Product activation is only one more step, and you'll only have to do it once.
In other words, probably not.
Source: http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-200
