markwit Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 I have just replaced a dead HD in a customers PC. The system restore CD wouldn't work, so did a clean XP installation (Tme PC - but that's another rant). It installed fine. I removed the modem, and fitted a NIC so I could hook it up to my broadband. It activated without any problems, so I proceeded to do all the updates. Once I was happy all the updates were in place, I put the modem back in and restarted the machine, at which point it demanded it had to be activated due to hardware change. So I put the NIC back in, went into activation, at which point I was informed this version of Windows had been activated on another PC - ARRRRGGHHHHHHHH! OK, no problem. I went through the labourious activation by phone process, eventually getting to speak to an operator, who got it activated. Now I've removed the NIC again, and it is demanding to be reactivated!!!!! This is not the first time the simple removal of a NIC has resulted in a reactivation being required. How the hell does Windows see the addition/removal of a simple NIC as being grounds for reactivation? I am not usually one to knock Microsoft, and I haven't got a problem with product activation in general, but this has really got me wanting to punch Bill Gates I'm off to get on the telephone again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeP Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 I assume that the MAC address on the NIC is used as part of the 'signature' of the PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ_VENOM Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 cant you lave in the modem while you activate it then just taking out your broadband pci wont affect it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwit Posted September 6, 2006 Author Share Posted September 6, 2006 cant you lave in the modem while you activate it then just taking out your broadband pci wont affect it Probably, but I'm just being bloody minded. It's sorted now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savannah2 Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 I have just replaced a dead HD in a customers PC. The system restore CD wouldn't work, so did a clean XP installation (Tme PC - but that's another rant). It installed fine. I removed the modem, and fitted a NIC so I could hook it up to my broadband. It activated without any problems, so I proceeded to do all the updates. Once I was happy all the updates were in place, I put the modem back in and restarted the machine, at which point it demanded it had to be activated due to hardware change. So I put the NIC back in, went into activation, at which point I was informed this version of Windows had been activated on another PC - ARRRRGGHHHHHHHH! OK, no problem. I went through the labourious activation by phone process, eventually getting to speak to an operator, who got it activated. Now I've removed the NIC again, and it is demanding to be reactivated!!!!! This is not the first time the simple removal of a NIC has resulted in a reactivation being required. How the hell does Windows see the addition/removal of a simple NIC as being grounds for reactivation? I am not usually one to knock Microsoft, and I haven't got a problem with product activation in general, but this has really got me wanting to punch Bill Gates I'm off to get on the telephone again. Very strange, I always thought has long as you got a 7/10 score on bootup this wouldn't be a problem, not exactly a major upgrade that you carried out, certainly never been a problem for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclone Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Even a modem has a MAC address, so the swapping of it makes it think it's a different pc, this is because the MAC is a primary part of the id. Or something along those lines. I thought that you could get away with several changes before it demanded reactivation though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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