Windows Activation

[raro]

I bought an Acer Laptop with built-in win7 Home. As I still had a legimite win7 Ultimate (boxed version, not OEM!) from the old laptop (which is a Linux test computer now) I decided to upgrade with the Windows Anytime Upgrade feature.

Keyed in the new serial, had a bunch of updates and restarts but that damned thing doesn't want to activate!! Says "The activation server determined that the specific product key could not be used".

Called the hotline, followed the procedure, keyed in a gazillion-digit number to learn form that <deleted> computer that "The activation server determined that the specific product key could not be used".

:annoyed:

Now for about one hour in the loop for a "customer agent" (seems to be the undercover kind...), listening to some piano music and a female voice that pops up for the last hour or so saying that the approximate waiting time is 2 minutes...due to the popularity of win7.

:annoyed:

need to stock up Prozac...

[raro]

oh well...the money spent on their hotline (mind you, the toll free number doesn't work...) probably would have bought me several Ultimate copies by now...

Mr. Gates, if you're out there, let's meet at the car park for some discussion.....

Anyone there who could turn several office computers into Linux machines? I'd be keen to get your offers.

[lopburi3]

I would try booting your boxed version on a clean disk. Expect there may be a problem using the OEM version to upgrade to full version as it is likely area specific and your boxed version is not. Or some other little inconsistency causing the issue. That anytime upgrade is only a serial number I believe so may not be related to a boxed full version serial.

[raro]

well...that anytime upgrade somewhere in the fineprint sways that also a key from a boxed version would do it. Guess they have some idiosyncratic other fineprint that says you cannot do that you cannot do that witha previously installed version.

And yes, I bought those boxed versions on purpose and paid the extra for the flexibility when I upgrade the hardware as it is the case now.

I do not like the idea of going through the installation process from scratch....

[lopburi3]

Actually Win 7 should install in minutes - could understand not wanting to do it with a computer with use/data on it but a new computer it should not be a problem.

[mamypoko]

oh well...the money spent on their hotline (mind you, the toll free number doesn't work...) probably would have bought me several Ultimate copies by now...

Mr. Gates, if you're out there, let's meet at the car park for some discussion.....

Anyone there who could turn several office computers into Linux machines? I'd be keen to get your offers.

Just tried this number 888-725-1074 from "How to contact MS Activation Center" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929

Used skype so the call was free. Hope this helps.

[Phil Conners]

oh well...the money spent on their hotline (mind you, the toll free number doesn't work...) probably would have bought me several Ultimate copies by now...

Mr. Gates, if you're out there, let's meet at the car park for some discussion.....

Anyone there who could turn several office computers into Linux machines? I'd be keen to get your offers.

If it was just a matter of getting your office computers to run Linux you could do it yourself. The problem is all that proprietary Microsoft software that you insist is necessary to run your business. I guess you could run at least some of it under Wine if you really wanted to.

[BB1950]

oh well...the money spent on their hotline (mind you, the toll free number doesn't work...) probably would have bought me several Ultimate copies by now...

Mr. Gates, if you're out there, let's meet at the car park for some discussion.....

Anyone there who could turn several office computers into Linux machines? I'd be keen to get your offers.

Well, you'd be talking to the wrong person again.

Steve Ballmer has been the CEO of Micrsosoft since 2000 and is responsible for the WGA, OGA, and WAT (now used on Windows 7) validation schemes.

He's also was the behind the disaster, Windows Vista.

Bill Gates once said, he didn't mind pirated software because it helped create a user base. Eventually they would upgrade to a paid version.

[PoorSucker]

Do you have a bought win7 with multiple activations.

Normally you can only activate once and you had it on another computer already.

[BB1950]

well...that anytime upgrade somewhere in the fineprint sways that also a key from a boxed version would do it. Guess they have some idiosyncratic other fineprint that says you cannot do that you cannot do that witha previously installed version.

And yes, I bought those boxed versions on purpose and paid the extra for the flexibility when I upgrade the hardware as it is the case now.

I do not like the idea of going through the installation process from scratch....

You have me a bit confused.

A 'Windows Anytime Upgrade' can only be used on an existing validated installation. I'm not sure if it can be transfered to another installation. I suspect not.

OEM installations can not be validated on different hardware and the use of a Windows Anytime Upgrade key wouldn't validate it.

Yes retail products and upgrade products (don't confuse with Windows Anytime Update products) can be transfered to new hardware, but it may take a call to Microsoft to explain the change. They don't necessarily have to be boxed. There are download versions offered.

Be careful in the use of products keys. Once a key is used, it is not the same as a fresh unused key. Once used, it has been registered with Microsoft's servers. It will take a call to Microsoft to explain the change. Which accounts for the problems you are having. As mentioned previously, it's a free call through Skype.

Look forward to more activation problems in the feature. Microsoft has really underestimated the woes they have created. It will cost them dearly in the end.

[Phil Conners]

Too complicated. Easier to use one of those versions they sell in Tukcom with "automatic registration".

[raro]

Too complicated. Easier to use one of those versions they sell in Tukcom with "automatic registration".

ahemmmm

[BB1950]

Too complicated. Easier to use one of those versions they sell in Tukcom with "automatic registration".

LMFAO Do you mean one of those pirated copies???

I'm not aware of a legal version of Windows 7 that doesn't need to be 'activated'.

Be careful, some of the legal versions sold in TukCom can only be activated in SouthEast Asia only.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

They will still need a clean install, so it doesn't solve the problem.

[raro]

oh well...the money spent on their hotline (mind you, the toll free number doesn't work...) probably would have bought me several Ultimate copies by now...

Mr. Gates, if you're out there, let's meet at the car park for some discussion.....

Anyone there who could turn several office computers into Linux machines? I'd be keen to get your offers.

Just tried this number 888-725-1074 from "How to contact MS Activation Center" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929

Used skype so the call was free. Hope this helps.

tried a bunch of numbers from skype, but they all either didn't work at all or connected me to some cigar shop in Texas.

Got it finally working, spoke to the activation center in Singapore (India? that wasn't Singlish....) and I hope the tape will be kept for...errm....training purposes.

[BB1950]

oh well...the money spent on their hotline (mind you, the toll free number doesn't work...) probably would have bought me several Ultimate copies by now...

Mr. Gates, if you're out there, let's meet at the car park for some discussion.....

Anyone there who could turn several office computers into Linux machines? I'd be keen to get your offers.

Just tried this number 888-725-1074 from "How to contact MS Activation Center" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929

Used skype so the call was free. Hope this helps.

tried a bunch of numbers from skype, but they all either didn't work at all or connected me to some cigar shop in Texas.

Got it finally working, spoke to the activation center in Singapore (India? that wasn't Singlish....) and I hope the tape will be kept for...errm....training purposes.

So what was the result?

Did the activation center give you a new 'activation' key?

How did you contact the activation center?

I'm sure there are others who would like to know and not want to suffer your 'pain' and expense.