Activate Windows

When Windows XP was released, there was a whole bunch of FUD that came with it. Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt rules our minds when it comes to computers and their operating systems. Within this new version of Windows, we were told that we’d have to “activate” the OS before the 60-day mark - to prove that we had purchased it, rather than having borrowed the install CD from a friend. For most people, this wasn’t (and still isn’t) an issue. For some, this was a big thorn (and those folks are likely still sitting on a slightly-antiquated Windows 2000). I’ve activated Windows several times over, and have never run into a problem. I did hit a snag with reinstalling Office 2003 once, but a quick phone call cleared that up - no problem.

Glen Farmer: “If Windows XP was a lifetime product I would gladly go out and buy the program. But it isn’t. Like Windows 98 it has a built-in lifecycle. And from what I have been reading here, it’s almost over. The difference is: I could reinstall Windows 98 as often as needed without jumping through hoops. And I did reinstall it - several times. From the disk I owned. My disk. My purchased product. I obviously don’t own Windows XP. I am just borrowing it for a hefty fee. And if it needs repair, I have to get a tech to reinstall it for me. And they have to jump through hoops to do that. Which I assume I pay for. I’m glad that other products don’t cripple me this way. Imagine buying a car and having a headlight fail. And having to call someone in another country for permission to replace it. Or needing some new socks but not being able to buy them until you can prove you owned the last pair.”

Loretta Rosenbach: “I have Windows XP Home. I bought a Toshiba Satellite Laptop and [am] really enjoying it. I have always had a CD that came with my computers - and when I bought this from Best Buy, it did not come with a installation disk. I called them and they told me I would have to come in there and they would reinstall (or do anything for me) at a charge. Well, I read in a PC magazine something about making a disk of my own and then lost the article. Can you help or let me know where to look for this info? I remember it saying my product key number is on the bottom of my laptop and I did find that, but do not know what to do next.” Sounds like a job for our Problem Solvers or HelpShare Gnomies!

[tags]windows,microsoft,hardware,install,windows xp,microsoft windows,activate windows,activation,fud,pc magazine,office 2003[/tags]