Windows XP / Registering

[Acko]

After reading various reviews I would like to try Widows XP but I reformat more than 3 times a year.

I have no intentions of doing anything illegal as I would of payed my dues for the software, its just the registering part that sucks!!

Acko

This Post Edited By Forum Moderator

Do Not Discuss Warez on the Forums.

William
Forum Moderator

[RED Hot Machine]

Your post contradicts it self, be very careful how you word things.
:D

I believe that you will have to call Microsoft each time you reinstall and they will give you a new code, no legal way around it.

[Jon]

A crack is a crack. You use one, you're breaking the EULA which you agreed to when installing the OS.

Cracks, warez, etc. of any kind are NOT permitted in this forum and I would recommend either editing or deleting your post altogether.

You may not see anything wrong with what you are asking but whether you paid for your copy or not, "cracking" it in anyway breaks the End User Liscense Agreement you agreed to and puts you in the headlights of illegalities.

The answer is no...you must register it.

[Acko]

Thanks for the advice, but I thought that legally you could for example copy a Gameing CD or use a crack so as you did`nt have to use the original CD (risk of damaging etc) You have paid the legal monies for your copy, but just using it a different way?

Acko

[Jon]

That's a whole other story.

When you bought your copy of Windows, you actually only bought a liscense to use it. By cracking it you would altering software that you don't actually own and that is illegal. If Microsoft didn't want you to activate it every time, they would have made it an option or left it out altogether.

The gaming CDs go through their own legalities as they contain shareware, demos and other softwares that are usually stated as "Freely distributable". However, I doubt any of them would like for you to actually alter their software. Otherwise all software would come with source code and a big disclaimer stating "you can whatever you want with this so long as you don't make more money from it than me".

It's a huge misconception (albeit a fairly common one) that when you buy a software package that you actually "own" that software. You really don't. You normally are only buying a liscence or even only leasing the software for personal use. Doesn't mean you can make copies and give them to people or start rewriting the program to suit you. Most forwards and liscence agreements that are at the beginning of the installation wizards explain all this.

[Jon]

Wanted to add something to what I said above as I misread your statement a little.

Some companies do allow you to copy the original CD for your own personal use and for backup purposes ONLY. However, 75%-90% outright condone this, hence, copy protection on many CDs nowadays.

With this copy protection in place, it is usually possible to make a copy and use it to install, but when running it will ask for the original CD. There is no way around this without "cracking" the software. This is outright altering the software which is illegal. Making the crack is illegal and thus using it, is no more legal.

Hope that clears it up a little.

[Acko]

Thanx again

I bow out gracefully & a wiser person.

Acko

[Gresyth]

If you spend the extra $100.00 US, you can get the Pro version. It does'nt require you to call MicroRip to get a new code for changing your hardware.

[mbigna]

Originally posted by Gresyth
If you spend the extra $100.00 US, you can get the Pro version. It does'nt require you to call MicroRip to get a new code for changing your hardware. I can't believe all the misinformation STILL out here when it comes to Windows Product Activation (WPA).

Just because you reformat and reload XP does NOT mean you have to "re-register." In fact you are not technically "registering" (registering is an OPTION for you to send all your personal info to M$). What you are talking about is ACTIVATION. All this is does is take a snapshot of your hardware and produces a code. This code is sent with your software key (that is printed on your license) that you will enter upon installation. The hardware code and software key are sent to M$ (via internet or phone) and you are returned a hashed code that 'unlocks' the OS to work more than thirty days. [This is why you should play with your configuration for about a month before activating anyway, just in case you have hardware conflicts that require replacing/removing hardware and therefore changes your hardware key.] Once you have your hash code (automatically entered via internet, or you type it in if you phone in your activation), a file is created:
\Windows\system32 WPA.DBL
If you back up this file, you won't have to contact M$ again as long as you don't drastically change your hardware should you reformat and start from scratch. Just reinstall XP, copy the WPA.DBL file back to the correct directory and TA-DA, you are re-activated. If you didn't save the file, you will have to contact M$ to reactivate, but as long as your hardware didn't change drastically, M$ will automatically send you back a new hash. They will have a database where your license key and associated hardware key are stored. As long as nothing fishy is going on, you will not be given any hassle (or so they say).

Click here for a good article explaining WPA:
http://www.extremetech.com/article/0,3396,s%253D1027%2526a%253D11079,00.asp
Click here to see a previous thread where this has been discussed in more detail:
http://forums.overclockers.ws/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43269

Gresyth--XP Pro REQUIRES ACTIVATION JUST LIKE XP Home.

[el]

mgbinga is totally correct take his advice adn you will be fine.

[Yodums]

Very good explanation..

[Acko]

Hey this is great news!!! Just the sort of answer I was looking for thanx. very much.

My previous word (C---k) was not ment to offend but you have given a KEY.

Acko

:)

[Softwebdev]

Originally posted by Gresyth
If you spend the extra $100.00 US, you can get the Pro version. It does'nt require you to call MicroRip to get a new code for changing your hardware.

pro version is better then..........i didn't know that when i have pro version, i don't have to call MS to get new code............it's intersting...............

[Softwebdev]

Originally posted by mbigna
I can't believe all the misinformation STILL out here when it comes to Windows Product Activation (WPA).

Just because you reformat and reload XP does NOT mean you have to "re-register." In fact you are not technically "registering" (registering is an OPTION for you to send all your personal info to M$). What you are talking about is ACTIVATION. All this is does is take a snapshot of your hardware and produces a code. This code is sent with your software key (that is printed on your license) that you will enter upon installation. The hardware code and software key are sent to M$ (via internet or phone) and you are returned a hashed code that 'unlocks' the OS to work more than thirty days. [This is why you should play with your configuration for about a month before activating anyway, just in case you have hardware conflicts that require replacing/removing hardware and therefore changes your hardware key.] Once you have your hash code (automatically entered via internet, or you type it in if you phone in your activation), a file is created:
\Windows\system32 WPA.DBL
If you back up this file, you won't have to contact M$ again as long as you don't drastically change your hardware should you reformat and start from scratch. Just reinstall XP, copy the WPA.DBL file back to the correct directory and TA-DA, you are re-activated. If you didn't save the file, you will have to contact M$ to reactivate, but as long as your hardware didn't change drastically, M$ will automatically send you back a new hash. They will have a database where your license key and associated hardware key are stored. As long as nothing fishy is going on, you will not be given any hassle (or so they say).

Click here for a good article explaining WPA:
http://www.extremetech.com/article/0,3396,s%253D1027%2526a%253D11079,00.asp
Click here to see a previous thread where this has been discussed in more detail:
http://forums.overclockers.ws/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43269

Gresyth--XP Pro REQUIRES ACTIVATION JUST LIKE XP Home.

i didn't know that..............i re-installed winxp 2 times..........and it activates over internet without any problem............

one time, i change the setting inside my computer...........and it asks me to activate...........and i don't have any problem............

[Yodums]

I think you can reactive as much as you want with the same hardware settings..

But just copy the file and stuff so they just won't call you up thinking you build multiple computers that are the same just to run it heh, ya never know its MICROSOFT!

[Softwebdev]

Originally posted by Yodums
I think you can reactive as much as you want with the same hardware settings..

But just copy the file and stuff so they just won't call you up thinking you build multiple computers that are the same just to run it heh, ya never know its MICROSOFT!

i really never try to build the same computer and install Xp in 2 computers and see how everything goes...........

i don't think that it will cause activate........the reason for that..........MS allows OEM to have xp without activation because OEM builds alot of computers with the same component......no activation means BUSINESS.

if anybody here builds 2 computers with the same components and winxp..........please drop your line in here so that i can see if i'm correct or not...........

[minoukat]

Originally posted by Softwebdev


i really never try to build the same computer and install Xp in 2 computers and see how everything goes...........

i don't think that it will cause activate........the reason for that..........MS allows OEM to have xp without activation because OEM builds alot of computers with the same component......no activation means BUSINESS.

if anybody here builds 2 computers with the same components and winxp..........please drop your line in here so that i can see if i'm correct or not...........

OEMs have activation too, just it is preactivated, it activates with a BIOS key, or something. If you change your MOBO but don't reformat, you still won't be able to use the version of XP that the OEM gave you. That's why you can change as many components as you want, as long as you let the mobo alone !

[Softwebdev]

Originally posted by minoukat


OEMs have activation too, just it is preactivated, it activates with a BIOS key, or something. If you change your MOBO but don't reformat, you still won't be able to use the version of XP that the OEM gave you. That's why you can change as many components as you want, as long as you let the mobo alone !

does it apply to commercial version of XP including HOME AND PRO version ?

i'm talking about changing many components as we want but without changing mobo

[minoukat]

Originally posted by Softwebdev


does it apply to commercial version of XP including HOME AND PRO version ?

No, only OEM versions from Dell, Compaq, HP, ..., and some corporate editions for big businesses that need to change, install or remove hardware often, ... But if I'm not wrong, that corp edition costs big $$ and isn't available for the big public

[Softwebdev]

Originally posted by minoukat


No, only OEM versions from Dell, Compaq, HP, ..., and some corporate editions for big businesses that need to change, install or remove hardware often, ... But if I'm not wrong, that corp edition costs big $$ and isn't available for the big public

DAMN MS