>>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.<<

-- First I've heard of such a thing if you actually own the software. =

Send them to me and I will take care of it. Email me off list and I will =

give you my address.

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

From: Ken McGinnis [mailto:ken@kenmcginnis.com]

Sent: Friday, December 20, 2002 8:16 PM

To: Multiple recipients of ProFox

Subject: Re: [OT] MS Activation

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....). ....