Will Microsoft rip me off again?

[GOD666]

I hate Microsoft asking people to activate.  I paid for my copy of Windows XP and it suddenly became inactive.  My computer came with Windows Vista pre-installed and both HP and MS argued on who's fault it was that my install became invalid.  I bought Windows 7 and faced much of the same problem.

 

After all this... I decided to buy my copy DIRECTLY from Microsoft themselves when Windows 8 came out.  You can see the order yourself (see screenshot)

 

http://postimg.org/image/zczj4c243/

 

I even got that cool deal where you could get Microsoft Media Center 

 

http://postimg.org/image/3m577aekd/

 

Bought it directly from Microsoft... Guess what...

 

Being valid only means I watch my money get wasted and I have to find ways around them.  As Windows 10 comes around the corner.... I wonder...

[Jim K Global Moderator]

Guess Microsoft doesn't like you?

[link6155]

I'm not sure what is your problem? The Media Center pack could only be used once, so if you did a clean install you won't be able to use it again. I also bought a key from Microsoft when Windows 8 came out and I have no issue with it so far.

 

As for Windows 10, they won't have Media Center so that won't be an issue at all. Microsoft hasn't announce how exactly will the Windows 10 upgrade will work, but they did guarantee a lifetime copy of Windows 10.

[GOD666]

Guess Microsoft doesn't like you?

Clearly so.  

 

Don't imagine as to why.  I've alpha and beta tested products for them since.... forever...  

[T3X4S]

Obviously PEBKAC -

What is more likely ?

A 300 BILLION dollar company makes a habit of screwing people over for nickles and dimes ?
OR

You're doing it wrong ?


Are you repeatedly activating these serials ?

Honestly, without more info - all we have to go on is that this doesnt happen to any of us, so it must be you ...

How about some more details ?

[GOD666]

I'm not sure what is your problem? The Media Center pack could only be used once, so if you did a clean install you won't be able to use it again. I also bought a key from Microsoft when Windows 8 came out and I have no issue with it so far.

 

As for Windows 10, they won't have Media Center so that won't be an issue at all. Microsoft hasn't announce how exactly will the Windows 10 upgrade will work, but they did guarantee a lifetime copy of Windows 10.

I wish they would associate it to your Microsoft Account and not to some random generated key.

 

I followed their terms to the letter... ie... Only ever had it installed on 1 PC.   But I did format often because I do test software.

Obviously PEBKAC -

What is more likely ?

A 300 BILLION dollar company makes a habit of screwing people over for nickles and dimes ?

OR

You're doing it wrong ?

 

I'd love to know what "that" is.  Seriously.... It would save me in the long run.

 

But I wouldn't cut Microsoft as being at fault either... I wonder how many valid people get labeled as invalid?  I imagine it's just enough not to get noticed and just enough that their voice is lost in the masses.

[GOD666]

Obviously PEBKAC -

Are you repeatedly activating these serials ?

Honestly, without more info - all we have to go on is that this doesnt happen to any of us, so it must be you ...

How about some more details ?

Often... I do format often.

 

For example, when I beta tested Kaspersky Internet Security.  That would screw me up a bit and would need to do a fresh install.   OR when I tested nvidia's experience platform..

 

But seriously... That really shouldn't be what causes it.

[T3X4S]

If you repeatedly do clean installs - it shows on their system as repeated activations -- OR, more clearly - multiple computers....

Since you test software, maybe its time to start using VMs - get 90 day trial license, and delete the VM before its time to activate - never messing with your real key....?

I mean - I think most software tester/debuggers dont use their primary system for the testing platform

[GOD666]

If you repeatedly do clean installs - it shows on their system as repeated activations -- OR, more clearly - multiple computers....

Since you test software, maybe its time to start using VMs - get 90 day trial license, and delete the VM before its time to activate - never messing with your real key....?

That's not good enough.  Microsoft has clearly said they can ID the hardware.  So that shouldn't be my problem.   

 

VM's don't always give me the best results.

[T3X4S]

When they cancel your serial key - how is it done ?  They send an email ?  You no longer are able to activate ?  When you call they tell you to take a hike ?

 

[TAZMINATOR]

Call MS activation center  and explain the problem... they will tell you what to do to get it activated.

[GOD666]

When they cancel your serial key - how is it done ?  They send an email ?  You no longer are able to activate ?  When you call they tell you to take a hike ?

 

Having bought it more than once... I've had my fair share of finding out I'm screwed.   But the two most popular seem to be

 

1. Installing windows and the key being invalid
2. Using windows after activated, finding out to my surprise it is deactivated (usually after a reboot), and cannot be activated using the key.

Call MS activation center  and explain the problem... they will tell you what to do to get it activated.

Been there.

Done that.

Really should have a T-shirt

 

The end solution is often to tell me to buy a new copy.  OR being forwarded to their genuine activation department to buy a key at a discount.

 

I'd like NOT to have to keep buying copies for the SAME computer... ie... Not being ripped off by Microsoft.

[TAZMINATOR]

Been there.

Done that.

Really should have a T-shirt

 

The end solution is often to tell me to buy a new copy.  OR being forwarded to their genuine activation department to buy a key at a discount.

 

I'd like NOT to have to keep buying copies for the SAME computer... ie... Not being ripped off by Microsoft.

 

Then call back and make sure you get a different guy on the phone... not same person...   then explain the problem.

 

If the person tells you to buy a copy... then he's an ass.

[GOD666]

Someone told me that Microsoft employees visit here... Not sure if that is true...  But if it is....

 

IF Microsoft can look up Microsoft Accounts... oldschooldsl --- at ---- gmail ---- dot ---- com.

 

It would be funny for them to see how many "copies" of Windows I have purchases.  As it would be funny how much of their software I test for them (you're welcome).   Heck, I had a Microsoft Account when it was originally a closed beta.  Still have a 24k Gold CD celebrating the successful launch of MSN Explorer (anyone remember that?).

Then call back and make sure you get a different guy on the phone... not same person...   then explain the problem.

 

If the person tells you to buy a copy... then he's an ass.

My experience is they're all asses. 

[+devHead Subscriber²]

Honestly, I've never heard anyone have this problem to such an extent that you're describing.  My only guess is that you're doing something very different with your installation media, your hardware configuration, or something else that you aren't mentioning in this post.  But I can tell you this, Microsoft isn't out to rip you off.  Maybe just do this: install Windows on your PC, and use your PC.  Stop installing crap on it that makes you feel you need to do a clean install (honestly I can't understand why you would have to do this after having some problem with Kaspersky).  Just use it like normal people do.

[TAZMINATOR]

My experience is they're all asses. 

 

Not on my end...  no problems with my end.

[greenwizard88]

Microsoft could definitely work on their corner cases.

 

I had an issue where my Windows 8 w/ media center key wasn't working. I did a system refresh, and it tried to activate Windows with the "wrong" key. I must have spent hours on the phone with MS going in circles before giving up and buying a 2nd copy of Windows 8.

[GOD666]

Honestly, I've never heard anyone have this problem to such an extent that you're describing.  My only guess is that you're doing something very different with your installation media, your hardware configuration, or something else that you aren't mentioning in this post.  But I can tell you this, Microsoft isn't out to rip you off.  Maybe just do this: install Windows on your PC, and use your PC.  Stop installing crap on it that makes you feel you need to do a clean install (honestly I can't understand why you would have to do this after having some problem with Kaspersky).  Just use it like normal people do.

Windows needs a clean install every so often even if used "normally"  ... At least that is my opinion.   But I do like testing and debugging new toys.  It's people like me that help make it so people like yourself, can enjoy stable software (you're welcome), by finding bugs and pointing out issues others may have missed.

 

But again...  Me formating should NOT be the issue.  Microsoft claims they can ID the hardware and given the hardware doesn't change.

 

I do sometimes change the controller from IDE to SAT to AHCI, but that too shouldn't have an impact.  And even that I do rarely.

Microsoft could definitely work on their corner cases.

 

I had an issue where my Windows 8 w/ media center key wasn't working. I did a system refresh, and it tried to activate Windows with the "wrong" key. I must have spent hours on the phone with MS going in circles before giving up and buying a 2nd copy of Windows 8.

I'm glad I'm not the only person who's had an issue.  I know we're among the minority, but that doesn't feel comforting, nor resolve it.

 

Sorry you too have had that experience. 

Not on my end...  no problems with my end.

Well... If you have some special way of not being connected to jerks... I'd love to know it.

[+devHead Subscriber²]

Windows used to need a clean install back in the days of Windows XP and earlier. But not anymore; certainly not with Windows 7 or 8.  It sounds to me that you've got a little case of OCD.

[TAZMINATOR]

Well... If you have some special way of not being connected to jerks... I'd love to know it.

 

I wish I knew but.. I am guessing that call centers are in some region wherever you are connected from. I am not sure how it works.

[GOD666]

Windows used to need a clean install back in the days of Windows XP and earlier. But not anymore; certainly not with Windows 7 or 8.  It sounds to me that you've got a little case of OCD.

Yes, but I also disagree in general.

I wish I knew but.. I am guessing that call centers are in some region wherever you are connected from. I am not sure how it works.

I'm in The USA and whatever call center they connect me to from where... Isn't the most friendly in that they often just tell you that you need to buy a new license for the same computer.

[rfirth]

You've told us that your format and reinstall frequently, but you haven't told us how frequently.

 

How frequently do you format and reinstall?

[GOD666]

You've told us that your format and reinstall frequently, but you haven't told us how frequently.

 

How frequently do you format and reinstall?

Depends on what I'm testing.  Sometimes once every few weeks and other times, such as when doing drivers that fail... Twice during the day.

 

But again, that should not have any issue since Microsoft says they can ID the hardware. 

[Raa]

Often... I do format often.

 

Therein lies the problem.

[Aasum]

Make a stable PC image and just restore that. Using VMware Workstation or VirtualBox make snapshots solves the reformatting mess.