Comments for Will reinstalling Windows too often trip up Windows Product Activation?

Comment from Len on 2007-03-26

2007-03-26T10:47:35Z

I'm one of those people who are forced to telephone Microsoft for a new key each time I reformat. No I'm not a pirate. I haven't upgraded the hardware. I haven't installed my copy of XP on any other machine. After formatting I get a message about I have exceeded the amount of times I can activate - or words to that effect.

I understand the need to combat piracy but this is simply a pain in the you know what.

Comment from Carl Goodwin on 2007-03-23

2007-03-24T02:15:50Z

Microsoft Flight Simulator X allows you to activate on 2 machines, and then they (Microsoft) say you have to go buy another copy, which will give you 2 more activations. I have activated my copy several times on the same machine, and not had a problem. I can't upgrade my machine anymore though, so my next activation will be my last, on my next machine. It will also probably be the last Microsoft program that I will purchase! Those Mac's are looking better and better every day! :)

Comment from Leo Notenboom on 2007-03-22

2007-03-22T22:20:09Z

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Thanks for that pointer. Note that the article also points out that there is a
fix for the problem.

Leo
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Comment from Ken on 2007-03-22

2007-03-22T19:38:17Z

However, I understand that Vista's "Windows Genuine Advantage" has problems with "false positives". That is, claiming that legitimate copies are "not genuine".

http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2007/02/vista_still_pla.html