Windows XP home, sp2

[Hitokiri]

Random question here, just curious...

I have installed a retail ($200) version of XP home on my PC, and activated it through the internet. What would happen if someone stole my cd key and used it on their system?

-Would Windows imediately detect the stolen key and not allow the another person to use it?

-Would my OS lock up?

-Or, would nothing happen?

Sorry, just a little paranoid..

[RJ]

What would happen if someone stole my cd key and used it on their system?

He wouldn't be able to activate it and his Windows would only work for 30 days.

Your Windows will be unaffected. Anything else would be really bad of Microsoft.

RJ

[doubledragon5]

And if you have it registered, during the validation process for updates they would be told who it is registered to and they won't be able to get any updates either..

[Hitokiri]

ok cool, thanks.

All these horror stories about Windows not starting up have been getting to me. :\

[glc]

After 120 days, they WOULD be able to activate it without calling M$.

[USMDude]

Originally Posted by glc After 120 days, they WOULD be able to activate it without calling M$.

Why's that?

[glc]

That's when the activation clock times out and allows online activation once again.

[MaxRat]

right....

I did a pc for my mother in law.... shipped it to her...somehow I shipped my key also...( iwas doing one for myself at the same time) I had activated mine and validated it and di all the updates....

She got the box installed windows...She had to call MS to activate it... but it did and validated.... not sure how....But heres where it gets weird...

I redid the pc within the first 10 days and had to call MS to activate....They told me on the phone That I already had that Key activated (under my name)

he couldn't tell me where but could answer yes or no....They know where each pc is....Once I told him where the other pc was (close) he confirmed...That how we figured I shipped the wrong key....We actually got her on the phone and switched her key to her cd...then reactivated mine... 2 hours of fun.....I've learned to pay more attention when working at home....

I call them enough....they know me by last name....this amuses me....

[glc]

Oh, it's YOU again, Mr. Rat!

[MaxRat]

What did I do....

i was just trying to imply...MS know more about you than they let on....

Yea it's me....

[juppy]

Originally Posted by glc That's when the activation clock times out and allows online activation once again.

So if it allows activation again after 120 days, how does it go ahead and do that.....one number registered to two different people? Looks like it would still not allow it to be activated if it's already registered to somebody else. And what would happen if it DID allow the other person to activate it and the day comes along that you need to reinstall your OS....does it then treat you like YOU are the criminal trying to use a stolen key and not let you install your own OS?

Originally Posted by MaxRat What did I do.... i was just trying to imply...MS know more about you than they let on.... Yea it's me....

You didn't do anything.....he was just making a joke about them knowing your last name. Seeing as how your username on here is MaxRat, it would seem your last name is Rat, hence the MS people would be saying "Oh, it's you again Mr. Rat!"

[MaxRat]

Xp works on a point system...you are allowed so many point inside of 120 days before you're required to call MS...This allows for hardware changes and such...It's all puter generated....

It's seem more probable with a OEM version than a retail upgrade...This also assumes in there some where you give the pc away and the next owner want to register it in his name...I think..? I know when you give a PC away with preloaded software you must render to the new owner all software cds...

There discrepentcies with the activation....If I disable and re-enable the onboard lan 3 times it makes me re-activate...

Activation is a good thing but it doesn't stop the piracy if thats what your getting at...MS is good but there is always some one trying to cheat some one else out of something....

I think with more refining this would not be a problem but....If you built a system and got a virus or had to switch to a bigger hard drive...or whatever....you MAY NOT be able to get the OS re-activated because the hardware don't match the original set-up....

I don't know about your other question...Hopefully the cd is coded with the key number or something....I'd say the first on to have it activated and use it would be the one they believe first....

I think the validation tool was a better step in the right direction...I remember sitting in a MS seminar for a 4 hour lecture and half of that was devoted to the new anti-piracy tools....

I dont mess with piracy nor will I fix a puter with pirated software....All the puters I have fixed I have only encountered 1 that wouldn't validate...I called MS on that one...I got a Already registered to another owner....What I do in this situation is call the owner and offer a legit copy of windows...If he accepts I fix it...If not He must pick it up..period...It's not worth the hassle to me....

And no they say Mr. Gonyon.... (sounds like oinion)

Thats funny...the first time it happened...the lady asked for the number I am calling from....I gave it too her...and she said...is this Mr Gonyon....And I said....how'd you know that...and she laughed at me....

[glc]

Actually it's legal to transfer the license ONCE for a full retail or upgrade version of XP to another "owner" as long as it's removed from the original "owner's" computer. It's only the OEM versions that technically cannot be transferred, they "belong" to the computer, not the "user".

[juppy]

Originally Posted by glc Actually it's legal to transfer the license ONCE for a full retail or upgrade version of XP to another "owner" as long as it's removed from the original "owner's" computer. It's only the OEM versions that technically cannot be transferred, they "belong" to the computer, not the "user".

Does that same transfer clause refer to a situation where you just upgrade your computer too and not give it to someone else? For instance, if I have an oem copy of XP and decided to upgrade all the major parts of my computer would I have to buy another oem copy of the same WinXp program to go on the new computer even though the old computer is not used anymore?

[Hokie-Dave]

I think it depends on which oem computer maker it was from. I know I just went through this with a Dell which had an oem version of XP Home on it when I bought it (and I've got the CD and the activation codes). I switched out the mobo to an ASUS MB and it wouldn't activate. I was lucky and had an XP disk and license from when I bought a Micron years ago that I was able to use and register as well as update it all the way up to current. My old XP disk didn't even have SP1 on it.

dave

Originally Posted by juppy Does that same transfer clause refer to a situation where you just upgrade your computer too and not give it to someone else? For instance, if I have an oem copy of XP and decided to upgrade all the major parts of my computer would I have to buy another oem copy of the same WinXp program to go on the new computer even though the old computer is not used anymore?

[glc]

It depends on whether you have a generic OEM or an OEM provided with a name brand computer. If it's generic, YOU are the OEM - and you can esssentially upgrade the thing as much as you want. I don't know where the line is drawn here - but I'd interpret it as if there's any original components left in it, it's the same computer. Now, what is a component and what isn't - there's where we just might not want to go. Is a screw a component? I don't think so............ Does the license belong to the case? Maybe so, because that's what you are supposed to apply the COA to. All a big gray area. I think the bottom line is - one copy, one computer. That's how Microsoft wants it in a perfect fantasy world.

[piasabird]

Microsoft use to have a way you can call into a certain phone number instead of registering online. Then you key in a code or something like that. You did not have to talk to anyone. Obviously you could register once and mess up the installation and have to register again.

[glc]

There is a difference between registering and activating. Registration is optional, activation is not.

[juppy]

Okay, thanks glc. That's what I was wondering, because I realize the oem disks that come with premades like Dell are really for that one computer only, and some of 'em won't even work on another system even if you tried. But when "oem" was mentioned, I thought we were possibly talking as if you bought a copy of XP from Newegg with your parts for a new build. I thought it would seem like a bunch of bull if you just did something like update your main parts and had to buy a whole other version of XP all over again.