Windows XP Activation

[Strider]

I purchased Alcohol 120% for backup purposes only for the purpose of saving my original cd's from the wear and tear which is legitimate to do. Anyways after restarting my computer a screen comes up and a message comes up saying that I had to re-activate Windows XP. I had to call Microsoft and personally get it re-activated and when I said the only thing I did was to Install a program the tech person just kind of laugh and said this happens from time to time. This really makes me angry that Microsoft is stooping this low in spying on what we install on our computers and the U.S. Government is allowing this to happen, this isn't a FREE country anymore and it is getting more and more like the book 1984 by George Orwell. Big Brother is definitely watching us, I only hope someday we elected a President that will put this to a stop this spying on its own citizens and also get rid of this stupid Homeland Security Department - The Later Part (Homeland Security) is just a waste of tax payers money. That's my opinion and I one hundred percent believe in Ben Franklin's quote - "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety".

Sorry just venting out my frustration and relieving a little stress - btw Detroit is the 6th most stressfull city in the U.S.

[Statica]

Did the tech person at MS kind of laugh and say this happens from time to time and then refuse to activate your Windows? Did you have to tell him the programs you installed on your computer?
If the answer is NO then I dont think you were inconvenienced, it is just an anti-piracy measure designed to kick in when there are hardware changes .. in this case, addition of virtual optical drives. Have you made frequent changes to your computer's hardware? Personally I have never heard of a situation where a client was harassed during re-activation or even refused. Given the revenues lost to piracy, I can understand where a developer would want to put in some form of protection.
Having said that, if you are that angry that Microsoft is "spying" on you .. then try out an alternative OS, taking time to research a topic lest we might have a vent about how Linux is so much harder to install.

As for the rest of the issues you have with the political situation, this isnt the correct forum for it. You could try the Gen Forum or vote as per your beliefs

[Strider]

Don't want to change OS for majority of my programs only run in Windows, so that option is out. What struck me funny is I haven't done any Hardware changes in the last 6 months and that hardware change was a whole new computer with a legally bought copy of Windows (All my software on all my computers are legally bought), the only thing I did was add software. Why should I have to re-activate Windows because I purchased some software and it was a non-Microsoft product? I understand the hardware changes, but I haven't done any. I just find this strange. Granted it wasn't that much of a deal "re-activating" the software, but I feel it wasn't needed in the first place.


Sorry I about the political views, but at the time I thought it was relevant to the topic.

[Kubie]

As for the rest of the issues you have with the political situation, this isnt the correct forum for it. You could try the Gen Forum or vote as per your beliefs

Politics in Gen. Discussion? Yeah right!!

Carl

[Confused]

My independent soul and good old country boy thinking that they have no business how I use my PC agrees with you. But my logic side knows that MS is a company with a product for sale and that in the EULA I agree to certain things if I want to use it. It's their product and in the free marketplace they can place any restriction they want on it.

I suspect some of their policies would change if there was competition, but since there isn't. Oh well.
Chas

[fuzzai]

friend of mine had highspeed via cable. he unploged his cable modem from the pc and when he rebooted, it asked him to re-activate it. he was so mad that he paid for it and this happend. that he used a crack just so he did't have to call them. LOL

[beergut67]

i just got done installing a xp pro upgrade on a cousins computer. xp was in the box with the plastic on it and the product id code was invalid. that stinks.

[HAL9000]

Originally posted by fuzzai friend of mine had highspeed via cable. he unploged his cable modem from the pc and when he rebooted, it asked him to re-activate it. he was so mad that he paid for it and this happend. that he used a crack just so he did't have to call them. LOL

fuzzai, I don't care if it was a friend or whoever... discussion about cracks are not tolerated around here.