Will Microsoft rip me off again?

[GOD666]

What is wrong with using Clonezilla and making an image? Restoring an image is slower than an OS install? Nope. It takes me 10 minutes to restore an image from an external hard drive. Windows alone takes more than 10 minutes. Then you have to update.

Also, what is wrong with a VM? Do you only have 1-2 GB of RAM?

Just is.

 

my computer:

HP Pavilion a6750f (tweaked) 

 

Tweaks: 

- Changed to full tower case (more space, better air flow) 

- Upgraded ALL fans (better air / cooling) 

- Upgraded Power Supply 

- Removed 15 in 1 card reader 

- Removed internal USB wireless adaptor 

- Added 1 TB Hard Drive (original 750 GB drive died) 

- Added an extra 300 GB Drive

- Added and extra 80GB Hard Drive (for backups) 

- Upgrade from Windows Vista Home Premium 64 to Windows 7 Ultimate 64 and finally Windows 8 Pro 

- Upgraded to GeForce GT430 1 GB Graphics Card (was on-board ATI 3200HD) 

- Added Vizio 32" HDTV w/full 1080-HD (VOJ320F1A) 

Are you swapping hardware in the systems frequently?

No.  Unless you want to count usb devices, than yes

[+Biscuits Brown MVC]

 

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...

 

 

So here is  what we know...

 

• You had some version of Windows installed that allowed you to make the 40 dollar Windows 8 upgrade. We have no idea what that previous version was.  You started with an OEM of Vista, then bought some version of Windows 7. My guess is it wasn't a full retail version.  This means your Windows 8 upgrade isn't a full retail license and will be subject to activation restrictions. 
• You reinstall the OS sometimes monthly, sometimes, weekly and sometimes daily. 
• You 'test' software but do it as a hobbyist, you aren't a professional tester so your methods are not nearly as rigorous therefor would I'd be inclined to consider them to be marginally valid. You have not setup a quality baseline nor do you have the tools to tear-down and rebuild to easily repeat your testing (because of your need to completely reinstall and who knows what patches you get installed from test instance A to test instance B) 
• You think restoring an image is somehow slower than a fresh install/patch up.
• As a 'tester' you don't seem to realize the overall value of imaging a base install to help qualify your 'testing'. 
• Your Windows installations seem to become non-genuine at some point, sometimes sooner, sometimes later. 
• This problem occurs on every Windows install you have regardless of version.

 

This problem clearly isn't a Microsoft issue, its more likely a GOD666 issue.  Like it or not either you are doing something out of the ordinary or you're doing something you haven't told us. At this point I'm of the belief you are either not being completely forthcoming on all the details or simply someone that dislikes Microsoft and are trolling us. 

 

 

I just see in the post before this one that you have been upgrading an OEM licences all along and have made no less than 7 system changes that may trigger reactivation. No wonder you are having issues... 

[GOD666]

So here is  what we know...

And here is where you're wrong...

 

 

You had some version of Windows installed that allowed you to make the 40 dollar Windows 8 upgrade. We have no idea what that previous version was.  You started with an OEM of Vista, then bought some version of Windows 7. My guess is it wasn't a full retail version.  This means your Windows 8 upgrade isn't a full retail license and will be subject to activation restrictions.

1st I have more than one computer and not all of them do I format often. So lets move away from the forming...

Bought a computer with Vista pre-installed (thanks to HP). It became invalid.

Purchased full retails copy of Windows 7. It became invalid.

Purchased OEM copy of Windows 7. It became invalid.

Purchased Upgrade of Windows 8. It became invalid.

Purchased Full retails of Windows 8. It became invalid.

Rinse and repeat for Windows 7 and 8.

Currently testing Windows 10 Technical Preview. It has become invalid.

 

You reinstall the OS sometimes monthly, sometimes, weekly and sometimes daily.

On 1 computer, yes.

On the other computer, no.

 

Your Windows installations seem to become non-genuine at some point, sometimes sooner, sometimes later.

Correct.

 

This problem occurs on every Windows install you have regardless of version.

Correct.

 

 

Again, let us forget about the test computer and focus on the base computer.

[adrynalyne]

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.

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.

I can't help but think there is a back story to all of this that isn't being told.  I used to reinstall like a mad man, and the worst I ever went through was telephone activation.

And here is where you're wrong...

 

 

1st I have more than one computer and not all of them do I format often. So lets move away from the forming...

Bought a computer with Vista pre-installed (thanks to HP). It became invalid.

Purchased full retails copy of Windows 7. It became invalid.

Purchased OEM copy of Windows 7. It became invalid.

Purchased Upgrade of Windows 8. It became invalid.

Purchased Full retails of Windows 8. It became invalid.

Rinse and repeat for Windows 7 and 8.

Currently testing Windows 10 Technical Preview. It has become invalid.

 

On 1 computer, yes.

On the other computer, no.

 

Correct.

 

Correct.

 

 

Again, let us forget about the test computer and focus on the base computer.

Dude. If you reinstall Windows THAT much, what does it matter? If I know I am going to be reinstalling that much, I don't even activate it.

 

Also, you might want to consider using images.

[GOD666]

I can't help but think there is a back story to all of this that isn't being told.  I used to reinstall like a mad man, and the worst I ever went through was telephone activation.

Let's move away from conspiracy theories. 

 

At least your reply confirms that reinstalling shouldn't be an issue... Except as stated... Sometimes mine deactivates while in use.

[norseman]

I'm pretty sure he is trolling. No one I know would be formatting their main system and reinstalling everything so often and then complain in a forum such as this.

We need to find this poor fellow a job.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Like others have said, I would buy a 64 GB Kingston SSD...

 

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Digital-SSDNow-SV300S37A-120G/dp/B00A1ZTZOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433514956&sr=8-1&keywords=SSDnow

 

I have a LOT Of them (At least 7), they are cheap like $40 -$50 ... install Windows on it and once a month boot the image and install all the updates and update all 3rd party applications. Then turn the computer off, take it out and boot into your normal install.

 

When ever you feel the need to reinstall Windows, clone that onto your main system drive. You will literally be done in 10 mins.

[adrynalyne]

Let's move away from conspiracy theories. 

 

At least your reply confirms that reinstalling shouldn't be an issue... Except as stated... Sometimes mine deactivates while in use.

No conspiracy issues. You aren't telling the whole story, and I am certain of that.

 

We had people call in when I was doing Microsoft support years back with similar stories. Then we would find their keys were VL keys, or they had WPA bypass software on their machines. None of them knew how it happened of course.

 

If you reinstall weekly, thats 50 some odd reinstalls a year. Microsoft is going to raise an eyebrow. There is no reason to activate at that point.  Just reinstall. Or use an image. If you deactivate during usage, then you have malware on your system, or as it was mentioned, there is something you aren't telling us.

[Aergan]

And here is where you're wrong...

 

 

1st I have more than one computer and not all of them do I format often. So lets move away from the forming...

Bought a computer with Vista pre-installed (thanks to HP). It became invalid.

Purchased full retails copy of Windows 7. It became invalid.

Purchased OEM copy of Windows 7. It became invalid.

Purchased Upgrade of Windows 8. It became invalid.

Purchased Full retails of Windows 8. It became invalid.

Rinse and repeat for Windows 7 and 8.

Currently testing Windows 10 Technical Preview. It has become invalid.

 

On 1 computer, yes.

On the other computer, no.

 

Correct.

 

Correct.

 

 

Again, let us forget about the test computer and focus on the base computer.

 

Are you still on a HP motherboard? If so, you might have a primitive or buggy SLIC information which is causing your otherwise genuine activation to fail.

[adrynalyne]

Are you still on a HP motherboard? If so, you might have a primitive or buggy SLIC information which is causing your otherwise genuine activation to fail.

I wouldn't think so. That would only apply to the OS it shipped with, wouldn't it?

 

I was under the impression he was using retail Windows now.

[+Warwagon MVC]

As far as becoming invalid.... Just activate by phone ..... in fact I recently heard they have simplified the process using SMS.

[GOD666]

Are you still on a HP motherboard? If so, you might have a primitive or buggy SLIC information which is causing your otherwise genuine activation to fail.

YES.   I do have the HP Motherboard.

 

However, the other computer I built.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Out of interest, would you be willing to try imaging as an option just to see if your problems continue? There is surely free imaging software out there if you don't want to pay.

I'm starting to suspect that there is missing information as well, but I'm not going to jump the gun and accuse anyone of anything. As I said before, if nothing else your methodologies are outdated for what you are doing on a regular basis; even reinstalling once a month is too often.

 

EDIT: Silly me, of course there is free imaging software out there. Clonezilla would do the trick, wouldn't it?

[GOD666]

Out of interest, would you be willing to try imaging as an option just to see if your problems continue? There is surely free imaging software out there if you don't want to pay.

I'm starting to suspect that there is missing information as well, but I'm not going to jump the gun and accuse anyone of anything. As I said before, if nothing else your methodologies are outdated for what you are doing on a regular basis; even reinstalling once a month is too often.

 

EDIT: Silly me, of course there is free imaging software out there. Clonezilla would do the trick, wouldn't it?

I would prefer not to need the extra hardware.   I already have 3 drives and all 3 are used for other OS's.  They're also different sizes.

 

Also and I feel I keep repeating this....

 

Forget the formating... I do have another computer that I almost never format. 

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Forget the formating... I do have another computer that I almost never format.

And are they using different keys, or the same one?

[Circaflex]

You're doing something seriously wrong if this is all true. I have never once heard of keys being deactivated from too many installations (and I have done some shady installs over the years). But if you are generally testing software and reformatting every so often why arent you just running one of the 180 evals and nuking that install? Why even activate or go through that nonsense if you reformat once a month or every few weeks? Something isnt adding up here, because you stated your "other computer" that you do not format regularly also randomly "deactivates itself." None of that makes sense to me at all.

[GOD666]

And are they using different keys, or the same one?

Different keys.  Your license only allows for 1 install.

[GOD666]

You're doing something seriously wrong if this is all true. I have never once heard of keys being deactivated from too many installations (and I have done some shady installs over the years). But if you are generally testing software and reformatting every so often why arent you just running one of the 180 evals and nuking that install? Why even activate or go through that nonsense if you reformat once a month or every few weeks? Something isnt adding up here, because you stated your "other computer" that you do not format regularly also randomly "deactivates itself." None of that makes sense to me at all.

If it is of any comfort.... It doesn't make much sense to me either and it sucks.    

 

I activate because I do sometimes use it longer for 180 days on my test system.  And obviously, the system that I don't test on... I just leave forever (forever is however long my key last)

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Different keys.  Your license only allows for 1 install.

Then if you're doing everything right I can't understand why there aren't more people with your issue. Have you done a google search to see if others are having the same issue?

Something doesn't add up, and I appreciate that you don't necessarily know what exactly that may be, but I can't think of anyone or anytime I've seen such a situation. Especially from XP onwards.

I think we've arrived at the point where we cannot offer any further advice. We can't replicate the issue so we can't try and resolve it ourselves, and this situation hasn't popped up for us in the past so we don't know what the issue could be. That leaves you having to deal with Microsoft, who are providing you similar responses to what has already been offered - they can't go ahead and help you because they suspect there is something missing from the story, or your methodology is wrong with what you're involved with.

[Mr. Gibs]

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.

Er what thats not true at all.

I've clean installed Windows 8 a few times and my media center key works just fine. It's tied to your hardware ID, if you change too much of your hardware (I believe its CPU, GPU and HDD but I could be wrong) then it triggers a re-activation and you'll have to call MS to get it sorted.

[GOD666]

Then if you're doing everything right I can't understand why there aren't more people with your issue. Have you done a google search to see if others are having the same issue?

Something doesn't add up, and I appreciate that you don't necessarily know what exactly that may be, but I can't think of anyone or anytime I've seen such a situation. Especially from XP onwards.

I think we've arrived at the point where we cannot offer any further advice. We can't replicate the issue so we can't try and resolve it ourselves, and this situation hasn't popped up for us in the past so we don't know what the issue could be. That leaves you having to deal with Microsoft, who are providing you similar responses to what has already been offered - they can't go ahead and help you because they suspect there is something missing from the story, or your methodology is wrong with what you're involved with.

I have done a Google search and YES, surprisingly I am not alone.   But they're often faced with the same type of replies... ie...

 

You're doing something wrong.

You must be lying

You must be sharing keys

You must be formating to often

You must be use pirated software

You must be installing it on more than one PC

You must be trolling

ect... ect...

 

As such they too seem to be lost and unable to find a solution.  So it happens and I'm not the only person, but I gather it doesn't happen often.

How many threads are needed for this problem?

 

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1259192-windows-10-technical-preview-not-genuine/

 

 

????

This thread is about paid copies.

 

The other thread is about Windows 10 which is free and technically, everyone is using the same keys.  So how in the world my copy is being marked as invalid is a puzzle.

Er what thats not true at all.

I've clean installed Windows 8 a few times and my media center key works just fine. It's tied to your hardware ID, if you change too much of your hardware (I believe its CPU, GPU and HDD but I could be wrong) then it triggers a re-activation and you'll have to call MS to get it sorted.

I agree... This is my line of thinking too.   And officially, this is what Microsoft claims as well.

 

In practice though... Some people do have a few issues. 

[TAZMINATOR]

 

The other thread is about Windows 10 which is free and technically, everyone is using the same keys.  So how in the world my copy is being marked as invalid is a puzzle.

 

I don't believe this part..  unless you are using piracy copy of Windows with Windows 10 on top of it.

[xWhiplash]

Why do you keep saying forget formatting? That is THE ISSUE here. Nothing else. Every time you format, you start the activation process again. Having as many activations as you have, MS might flag it.

You have to think, even if they do use a hardware ID, people can probably hack it.

So no. We won't just forget about the formatting. That is the root cause.

Adobe had a system where you could only activate a few times a month or year.

Other software does this too.

[TAZMINATOR]

Why do you keep saying forget formatting? That is THE ISSUE here. Nothing else. Every time you format, you start the activation process again. Having as many activations as you have, MS might flag it.

 

 

The bold part may be true.

[xWhiplash]

Do you really think there is no activation limit? I could activate 2 times every hour for years and not have any issues?