Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (
More info?)
False.
Retail editions are not affected at all.
Donald is essentially correct concerning OEM edtions, except that there is
no information to indicate that OEM cd's provided with built-to-order
computers by small computer outlets will be affected at any point in the
future.
--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)
"Donald L McDaniel" <donmcdaniel2005@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1ca0bf27a24ddfa4989681@news.individual.net...
> In article <8QEZd.165$_u3.95@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net>, nospam@thank.you
> says...
>> Current "ComputerActive" mag (UK, issue 185, 17th March, p13) article
>> states
>> that as of end Feb, Microsoft no longer allow customers to activate XP
>> online. Instead, customers purchasing stand-alone XP OS's will have to
>> call
>> MS and undergo the third degree to activate.
>> OEM's will have to pre-validate pre-installed XP systems.
>>
>> That this (the date, anyway) is untrue, I know already, as I activated a
>> new
>> XPPro installation last week. However, there's no smoke without fire -
>> so,
>> what's the true story?
>>
>>
>>
> The following is the truth as far as I know:
> 1) As of Feb. 28, 2005, Microsoft has disabled Activation via the
> Internet for the top OEM-produced CDs, such as Dell and Gateway. From
> now on, those who have OEM CDs must make a telephone call to Microsoft's
> activation center and answer a series of questions which supposedly will
> prove that one has a legal OEM CD. At first, this will only apply to
> the top 20 or so OEM installed Operating Systems. Sooner or later, I'm
> sure that Microsoft will extend the new program to all OEM CDs.
>
> Supposedly, this shouldn't affect most home users much, since OEM
> produced machines will have the OS activated at the factory. However,
> those who need to reinstall their OS will have to call in to activate
> it.
>
> Microsoft's rationalization of their change to the OEM Eula is that the
> new activation policy is intended to stop software piracy such as
> happens when COA's are pulled from machines which have the OS installed
> at the factory and sold as legal OEM licenses.
>
> 2) This diabling of OEM CDs does not apply to Retail copies of XP. That
> this is so was proved to me when I installed XP Pro using a Retail
> Upgrade CD after Feb. 28, and successfully activated it via the
> Internet.
>
> --
> Donald L McDaniel
> Please post reply to original
> Newsgroup, so that threads may
> be kept intact.
> =====================================================