MS blocking retail version of XP

[t0r0nt0]

Hi ... Today I went and bought a new hard drive to install xp clean but only to

find out Microsoft wouldn't accept my product keys which for some reason they

have blocked . I never thought a retail version could be block . I call

Microsoft to find out why my keys are being blocked . I was told that I was

trying to activated it to many times in one day , or something like that , which

really wasn't the case . I really never got a straight answer as to why . So now

my retail version is no good to use . So why should I have faith in MS if they

can do this to paying customers ? I still have the bill of sale and the box

where I purchase it from " Future Shop " an legit outlet . Its a retail version

not an OEM and this copy is only install on this one computer , one license per

computer . I paid back in 2002 $574.00 canadian for it . I never once had any

issues before with reactivating it until today . What would you do in my shoes ,

go to the press ? THIS IS TOTALLY LEGIT .

Edited June 3, 2010 by t0r0nt0

[Kelsenellenelvian]

Obviously the serial from it has been comprimised.

I would call them back and tell them this is your legit copy, you have the receipt, and that the serial hase been comprimised.

Also tell them that you are using it on only 1 pc.

They should give you a new key...

[cluberti]

If you call MS and tell them it's not you activating the key, they're going to ask for you to fax over copies of the proof of sale, the COA sticker, and probably the retail media disc (I've done this myself more than once, unfortunately). Once you prove it's you (and they'll be able to verify the sale to the vendor as well), they'll give you a new, unadulterated key. If they didn't do this, you didn't talk to the right folks or you really have activated it many times. I'm guessing it's probably the former, and your key has somehow been hit by a random keygen and leaked when it worked. Call back to the clearinghouse and ask to speak to someone to whom you can provide proof that the media and key belong to you and who will be able to provide you with a new key for a validly-licensed copy of Windows.

[t0r0nt0]

Obviously the serial from it has been comprimised.

I would call them back and tell them this is your legit copy, you have the receipt, and that the serial hase been comprimised.

Also tell them that you are using it on only 1 pc.

They should give you a new key...

I am going to go there on Monday and as for my keys , they have never been view by anyone else , I keep it well hidden in my house where no one could ever find it but me, believe me when I say that .

BTW did you mean > compromised ? what does comprimised mean ?

thanks

[cluberti]

BTW did you mean > compromised ? what does comprimised mean ?

Read my previous post very carefully.

[t0r0nt0]

If you call MS and tell them it's not you activating the key, they're going to ask for you to fax over copies of the proof of sale, the COA sticker, and probably the retail media disc (

Yes, you're right , they did say that , is that normal towards retail versions ? I was so p***ed at the time . They said something about I have to go to www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/comparekeys.aspx something like that . Its not the correct link . Anyone know the correct link ?

Thanks

Edited June 2, 2010 by t0r0nt0

[cluberti]

It's normal towards any version - as with anything, they don't know who you are (they sold that retail copy to a wholesaler, who sold it to a retailer, who sold it to you), so they want to verify you actually have a valid key. If you can prove the key is yours (with aforementioned faxing of documentation), you should be able to get a new key. And going to a website is just them saying they don't want to deal with you if you don't provide them documentation, honestly - the link is http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/RunHTA.aspx?displaylang=en&Page=comparekeys, which validates your OS. However, it isn't going to activate your install, so it won't help you. You will *have* to give them what they need, and they're either going to have to blacklist your key and give you a new one, or find a way to allow that key to activate again. There's no way around this.

[Glenn9999]

Not a lot to add, but I've run into a couple of things with my XP which I'll bring up.

1) I've observed that they lock down keys based on a total number of activations. In other words, if you're into installing XP a lot for whatever reason they'll think you're installing to multiple computers and you'll have to call them up. In having anything to do with them, you're always guilty until proven innocent so prepared to be hassled by The Man.

2) If you have a XP pre-service pack 3, you'll have to watch the order you install since they changed the key validation scheme between the service packs. The hard part is to remember which key you validated.

[Kelsenellenelvian]

1) I've observed that they lock down keys based on a total number of activations. In other words, if you're into installing XP a lot for whatever reason they'll think you're installing to multiple computers and you'll have to call them up. In having anything to do with them, you're always guilty until proven innocent so prepared to be hassled by The Man.

I have seen that as long as it's only been used like once then they usually flush the records evey like 6 months.

Edited June 3, 2010 by Kelsenellenelvian

[t0r0nt0]

It's normal towards any version - as with anything, they don't know who you are (they sold that retail copy to a wholesaler, who sold it to a retailer, who sold it to you), so they want to verify you actually have a valid key. If you can prove the key is yours (with aforementioned faxing of documentation), you should be able to get a new key. And going to a website is just them saying they don't want to deal with you if you don't provide them documentation, honestly - the link is http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/RunHTA.aspx?displaylang=en&Page=comparekeys, which validates your OS. However, it isn't going to activate your install, so it won't help you. You will *have* to give them what they need, and they're either going to have to blacklist your key and give you a new one, or find a way to allow that key to activate again. There's no way around this.

I don't own a fax machine . Can I just go to a Microsoft office building and show them my prove ? I understand the activation part and this is where my problem lies , they the rep said I already activated windows in that day 8 times , guys, this is truly a lie . I never once got to activated that day . How is it they MS can do this ? I don't like using the word hate its to harsh but their a first for everything and I REALLY hate the tech support you get from India / Phillippines

Edited June 3, 2010 by t0r0nt0

[cluberti]

I don't own a fax machine . Can I just go to a Microsoft office building and show them my prove ? I understand the activation part and this is where my problem lies , they the rep said I already activated windows in that day 8 times , guys, this is truly a lie . I never once got to activated that day . How is it they MS can do this ? I don't like using the word hate its to harsh but their a first for everything and I REALLY hate the tech support you get from India / Phillippines

One, it's not a lie - someone activated Windows 8 times that day. It's likely true it wasn't you, but you're the one calling about the key, and how is the person on the other end of the phone supposed to know it wasn't you? They're protecting what is obviously a leaked Windows activation key, and you're the poor SOB in the middle. I know I sound like a broken record, but you're going to have to prove it wasn't you by providing evidence that you own a legitimate retail CD, a COA sticker, and probably a proof of purchase receipt. Once you provide that (and I would suggest escalating - don't deal with the front line if they're not getting you anywhere), you should be able to get a new, unused product key that will activate.

As to hating tech support from another country, that's usually because those folks don't have the power to really do anything above and beyond very simple things. It's not because they're not capable personally, but because they're hired as cheap labor to handle the very basic 90% of issues that come in. Yours would obviously not fall into that category, so get yourself escalated to someone who was hired to deal with the other 10% (no matter where in the world they are), and you'll probably end up a happier man. Don't take things like this personally - it's not personal, it's business.

[jaclaz]

I don't want to seem harsh against the tech support peeps (expecially the underpayed ones), but clearly the "right" message has not been delivered properly.

As cluberti correctly stated, there is NO implicit accusation that *you* particularly activated 8 times *your* copy of windows with *your* key.

What they can say is that in the last given frame of time that key has been used n times to activate n copies of windows.

When something like this happens, they make the key invalid, in order to avoid people (NOT necessarily you ) to use again that key and "protect" their business.

Of course this is entirely b***sh**, those on the "dark side" that actually know what they are doing, will need some 5 minutes to grab another still working key or generate a new one or whatever WITHOUT any "real" consequence.

What they stop is the misuse by a handful of kids playing with things bigger than themselves, point is that doing so the MS guys create a nuisance to an actual lawful and loyal customer, pi**ing him off.

If to this you add the defect of communication that evidently occured in this instance, you have another lawful customer not only seriously harassed by the need of talking "front line" peeps into having a "real" assistance executive on the phone and/or by the procedure needed for proving himself honest and in good faith, but also heavily offended by the hint he may be a thief of some kind. (BTW the phone call from most countries has a cost that the customer has to pay in order to get some assistance with something that he didn't caused)

Would you call "smart" whatever security system that creates no actual obstacle to the "bad guys", but seriously harasses the "good ones"?

jaclaz

[t0r0nt0]

Guys I can understand if this was the case , that someone else is behind it but I truly believe the first person I spoke with on the phone is the cause of it and I believe she might of thought that I was somewhat rude to her because I was a bit loud but really I wasn't trying to be . Though what got me more upset was when I did ask her to speak with a supervisor she wouldn't allow it . I did finally get to speak with someone else and I found that to be a bit strange to for him to say at the same day I am trying to activated my copy , that its been activated already 8 times , even if he doesn't think its me and it might be someone else don't you feel something odd about that ? I mean the first person I spoke with are conversation didn't go so well and then for the second person to say I did activated 8 times in that same day , what would be the odds if someone else was behind this and is doing it on the same day I am trying to activate my copy . come on , something not right about that . I truly feel the first person I spoke with is behind it and is causing it all. Even still I am going to go to Microsoft office building and find out what gives . I am going to bring all the prove I need . I am even going to bring my other copies I own as well ( disks & receipts ) But I must say I am VERY upset at this point .

[Kelsenellenelvian]

What she didn't tell you was how many times the day before the key was used... I am very willing to bet if you googled your key you would get several hits on it to dis-reputable sites.

You should be glad you got 8 years out of it. Out of my MANY keys I have only about 4 are really good anymore. The rest have all been blacklisted for pretty much the same reasons as we keep trying to explain to you.

What reason did she give you for not letting you speak to a supervisor?

Edited June 3, 2010 by Kelsenellenelvian

[cluberti]

It's OK to be upset, but taking it personal isn't going to get you anywhere, honestly. Good luck to you, though.