I have 4 copies of XP - home and pro that I can't use. I had to reinstall for various reasons on the 4 computers. They refused to

give me the keys. They said someone else had used those keys. I told them I had the purchase receipts, boxes, CDs, etc. They said

there was nothing they could do. I was told I would have to purchase another copy. I told them something I won't print here. I just

put the original Win98 back on the computers and they run fine now. I am free to upgrade the hard drives, change NICs, etc anytime

I want without asking for permission from microcrap.

----- Original Message -----

From: "Cindy Winegarden" <cindyw@duke.edu>

To: "Multiple recipients of ProFox" <profox@leafe.com>

Sent: Monday, December 16, 2002 11:46 AM

Subject: RE: [OT] MS Activation

I had to reactivate by phone once during a weird install. Other than having

to take dictation of a GUID-style long string it was quick and painless and

the person on the phone was very nice.

Cindy Winegarden MCSD, Microsoft Visual FoxPro MVP

cindy.winegarden@mvps.org

-----Original Message-----

From: profox@leafe.com [mailto:profox@leafe.com] On Behalf Of Charlie

Coleman

Sent: December 16, 2002 01:23 PM

To: Multiple recipients of ProFox

Subject: Re: [OT] MS Activation

I believe it depends on MS's 'rule-of-the-day.' Someone said it will let

you install 3 pieces of equipment per month (quarter?) before deactivating.

But the basic answer to your question is yes. MS has placed code into

Windows XP that can deactivate your computer based upon whatever logic MS

has behind the scenes. Essentially, the only way to make use of the

computer after that is to contact MS and get a reactivation key (I don't

think they charge for that - yet....). ....