Happened again :)... Have to call Microsoft. Activation just sucks!

By 0sit0
in Microsoft (Windows)

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Grand Master

0sit0

Posted
Posted

So I buy a new hard drive and I was greeted by a very ugly window saying there was an error with my activation. First I restart the computer thinking it might go away and nothing. I decide to do a fresh install of Vista SP1 and now it is saying my key is being used. This happend a few months back after re-installing drivers. Windows Product Activation sucks! It wont stop pirates, it only affect us the genuine users! Like I said before... this is a genuine disadvantage. Why keep it? sigh... oh well!

ok just letting out some of my frustration :angry:

Grand Master

KeeperOfThePizza

Posted
Posted
genuine advantages needs to be destroyed as it does nothing.

x2 considering all my local friends have pirated copies.

That's all well and good, but when you're legitimately affected because you're trying to upgrade your machine, tbh - "that sux ass". Pure and simple.

It should be stopping more pirates, not annoying legitimate customers :/

Its meant to stop pirates. but will annoy legitimate customers, is what you mean.

dont get me wrong, i love microsoft.. but they need to go at a different approach to this.

Grand Master

gigapixels Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

I don't see why everybody complains. Call them up and get it taken care of. If you get so worked up over having to make a less than 15 minute call, you have more serious issues than just needing to activate Windows.

Grand Master

gigapixels Veteran

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Posted

I've added a new HDD, added more RAM, totally swapped out my RAM, updated drivers plenty of times... I've never once had to re-activate besides when I swapped my motherboard.

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Darrian

Posted
Posted

"Lucky" most people, I would think. I've only had to do it once, and that was because I'd activated too many times. I do agree, though, you shouldn't ever have to call somebody else to get your computer to work properly. And as far as genuine advantage goes... where is the advantage? As far as I can see, there isn't one. Just one more hassle for the legitimate customer that affects nobody else.

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Aahz

Posted
Posted

What could frustrate people?

1. Activation which is so finicky to begin with.

2. Having to call India and bust out the ole Rosetta Stone to decipher their very broken English into proper letters and numbers.

3. Having to call at all when the process should be handled successfully via the internet.

4. The fact that illegally cracking Vista takes far less time than legitimately activating Vista. (not to mention constantly re-activating Vista)

:angry:

Grand Master

gigapixels Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Granted, it could go smoother, but I've never had problems calling in, and I've never had problems understanding the people I've spoken to (and I'm normally extremely bad when it comes to understanding an accent).

I guess I just don't complain about much, and this certainly isn't one of the things I would complain about.

Grand Master

JustGeorge

Posted
Posted

Wouldn't it be nice if they implemented an activation scheme similar to Apple's iTunes? You could just deactivate your OS prior to re-installing it and reactivate it when you're back up. I think this wouldn't make people feel like they're being treated like criminals and put some control back in our hands.

Grand Master

Tha Bloo Monkee

Posted
Posted
I don't see why everybody complains. Call them up and get it taken care of. If you get so worked up over having to make a less than 15 minute call, you have more serious issues than just needing to activate Windows.

I understand why people complain completely. Sure, it's a "15 minute call", but it's a 15 minute call WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO! We paid for our copies of Windows! Now why do we have to waste OUR time calling them! I've had to do it about twice now, when it worked fine before. It's just annoying.

And don't give me that "you have more serious issues thing"; it's a generic excuse people give when somebody doesn't agree with everyone else.

I guess I just don't complain about much, and this certainly isn't one of the things I would complain about.

Yes, we're all genuine complainers who just love to complain, and you're Mr Perfect.

I mean, I don't make a significant deal of it all, I just find it such an annoyance to have to call in for something that we PAID for (or came with our computer, which is still included in the costs).

Grand Master

gigapixels Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
I understand why people complain completely. Sure, it's a "15 minute call", but it's a 15 minute call WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO! We paid for our copies of Windows! Now why do we have to waste OUR time calling them! I've had to do it about twice now, when it worked fine before. It's just annoying.

They're just trying to stop piracy, and they have every right to do so.

And don't give me that "you have more serious issues thing"; it's a generic excuse people give when somebody doesn't agree with everyone else.

I just don't get why there is a need to complain. Just deal with it and move on with your life, don't take the time to sit on a forum and cry because you had to make a phone call.

Yes, we're all genuine complainers who just love to complain, and you're Mr Perfect.

That was a bit out of line. I didn't say it as though I am superior, I'm just being truthful... I generally don't complain about much, if anything, so perhaps that's why I don't see the point of complaining about this.

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