Product Activation

Activating XP or Vista is now a necessary evil, and other software manufacturers are following suite. Why? Because it does prevent piracy to a point. Fortunately or unfortunately, it doesn't stop it.

Here are a few facts about activating:

• If you activate using the phone, prepare to read a 50-digit identification key to the customer support rep at Microsoft. The last time I did this, I recited this code to a voice activated machine. I guess Microsoft ran out of people to answer phone calls regarding activation...

• You have 30 days in which to activate after initial installation.


• Activation is NOT registration. This process is completely anonymous, or so Microsoft claims.


• You can install and reinstall XP an unlimited number of times on the same hardware.


• If you replace or upgrade four or more hardware components in less than 120 days, Microsoft will assume you've just installed XP on another system---yes, a new activation code will be required.


• For laptops, Microsoft allows you to upgrade 7 hardware components before they suspect you are license tampering. For a list of "fingerprint" components see the list below.


• Some copies of XP may be exempt from activation, but in these cases the operating system is tied directly to the BIOS on a particular system. This is called SLP or System Locked Pre-Installation.


• Some businesses are also exempt from activation through a VL (Volume Licensing) agreement. Microsoft couldn't possible afford to piss-off their big order customers.

List of "fingerprint" Components:

• Video Display Adapter


• Primary Hard Disk


• Volume Serial Number


• SCSI Adapter


• IDE Disk Controller


• CD-ROM Drive


• Network Adapter (MAC)


• CPU Type


• CPU Serial Number


• RAM