STUFF MICROSOFT

[firstblood]

After installing windows xp on my sons computer i went to activate it and found out
i couldn't due to the activation key has been used more than once...even though i
own the xp disk outright and purchased it leagally i was told you can only use it on
one pc....what a load of crap microsoft...i can understand the piracy bit but
when you want to use it on 1 or 2 pc's in your'e own home. it's unfair.
Also found out if you have added extra hardware on your'e pc over a period of time
xp may ask to reactivate again...
So i have been sniffing around a bit and found a new o/s with linux/obuntu....
i have orderd the disks which are free (plus free shipment)...i will have a look at it
but from what i have seen, it looks promising.
Doe's anybody else know about this ? is linux/obuntu worth trying?

[Dissident]

You should be able to use it more than once.
Often though it involves deactivating it on the other PC.

Ubuntu is great - but it will be a learning curve.
You'll need to learn *nix and be willing to spend time on it!

You'll need to find alternatives for the programs you use now as well.

[firstblood]

thanks dissident...i have been researching abuntu and looks a bit scary..
but i'll have a look and see what it's like before making a decision.

[dinglinga]

dont worry if u cant reactivate ...just ring microsoft and they will provide a new number

pretty easy

[Punk Rooster]

dont worry if u cant reactivate ...just ring microsoft and they will provide a new number

pretty easy

yes, here's Bill Gate's mobile number... 041555555?.....

[Wedgie]

Ive rang them twice, once for reactivation of my own product, once for the reactivation of a deaf friend's product and had no problems whatsoever.
Very helpful, quick and efficient.
I don't think it was Bill I talked to as the chaps I talked to both times had an Indian accent.

That's not the issue though (I don't think), the issue is that you can't run it on more than 1 PC, the software is licensed for the PC it was bought on/for the first time?
There's ways around that though

[firstblood]

Yeh..i rang them and they gave me a new activation code...but they
did ask a lot of questions..eg where did i get the win xp from, how
many computers have you got xp installed on (i only said 1) so all is ok now.
But going back a month or 2 ago , i sarted up my pc and windows claimed
i have installed a lot of new hardware on my pc and needed reactivation again.
strange...
I've neen looking into Linux/ubuntu a lot lately, joined thier forum and asking a lot
of questions and although it's a new learning process it is becoming more inviting
the more i look at it.

[Dissident]

Yeh..i rang them and they gave me a new activation code...but they
did ask a lot of questions..eg where did i get the win xp from, how
many computers have you got xp installed on (i only said 1) so all is ok now.
But going back a month or 2 ago , i sarted up my pc and windows claimed
i have installed a lot of new hardware on my pc and needed reactivation again.
strange...
I've neen looking into Linux/ubuntu a lot lately, joined thier forum and asking a lot
of questions and although it's a new learning process it is becoming more inviting
the more i look at it.

Not always possible for everyone but if you're thinking of going to a *nix distribution then you're better off having a second computer and running it on that parallel to the Windows machine. Then you can still use both whilst you get your head around it (if at all)

[firstblood]

that's what i've been thinking...i have another pc that i can try it on.
if it's too scary then i'll just put win 98 back on it...it's an older pc
so it won't matter.
thanks Dissident

[Psyber]

With the advent of Vista Micro$oft amended the EULA in a way that said that you could upgrade your machine twice, after which you had to buy a new copy of the OS! They backed down under roars of protest from the vast collection of gamers, who constantly upgrade their systems, and are an important customer base for both M$ and their mates at Intel.

Even with XP, the rule has been that with a boxed [retail] version of XP you could put it on a new computer so long as you removed it from the old one. However, if you bought a machine that come with a cheaper to buy OEM [original equipment maker] version of XP on it - and most OS pre-installed computers do - you are not entitled to take it off that machine and put it on another - only to reinstall it when you upgrade that machine.

In that case ringing Micro$oft, even if they give you a new number and let you go ahead, could result in them checking up on your licence, and in theory prosecuting if you have bent the rules. The one time I rang them was because a HDD had died and I was putting a new HDD in the same machine and reinstalling, which is legitimate under the EULA.

Ubuntu is great. I put it on a machine for my wife. She loves it. The current version does automatic updates, lets you put icons on the desktop if you want, and it installed including the Firefox browser and the full Open Office equivalent of M$ Office in 35 minutes. Compare that with the time it takes to install even the bare M$ OS!

[Wedgie]

The one time I rang them was because a HDD had died and I was putting a new HDD in the same machine and reinstalling, which is legitimate under the EULA.

Same here and Im proud to say I have two legal versions of Windows running on both my PCs at the moment, a far cry from a few years ago!

[Psyber]

The one time I rang them was because a HDD had died and I was putting a new HDD in the same machine and reinstalling, which is legitimate under the EULA.

Same here and Im proud to say I have two legal versions of Windows running on both my PCs at the moment, a far cry from a few years ago!

I have to admit XP was the first OS I ever bought - must be maturity catching up with me!

[BenchedEagle]

Nah, i still wont pay for an OS!
Im waitin for a copy of Vista and a crack activation code from my mate. hehehe
Dont care that its illegal.
And i recommend "open office" as an alternative to MS Office. Its Free!

[Dissident]

Nah, i still wont pay for an OS!
Im waitin for a copy of Vista and a crack activation code from my mate. hehehe
Dont care that its illegal.
And i recommend "open office" as an alternative to MS Office. Its Free!

Why promote a "free" alternative when you're advocating pirating the OS it's running on ?

[Psyber]

Nah, i still wont pay for an OS!
Im waitin for a copy of Vista and a crack activation code from my mate. hehehe
Dont care that its illegal.
And i recommend "open office" as an alternative to MS Office. Its Free!

Just don't get caught - the fines are HUGE. It is obviously a much more serious crime than assault or financial fraud.