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    Activate Windows by Telephone

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by _Webster_, Apr 19, 2008.

  1. _Webster_

    _Webster_ Notebook Consultant

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    Has anyone had to activate/reactivate their copy of Windows by telephone. I recently reformatted my notebook and the activation completed fine. But a few days later it reported a message saying that there has been some significant hardware differences and you have to reactivate. I have no idea why that message popped up because I did not change anything.

    With that said, what are your experiences with activating Windows by telephone. Thanks!
     
    _Webster_, Apr 19, 2008
    #1
  2. Thomas

    Thomas McLovin

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    I've done it before we got internet at the house.
     
    Thomas, Apr 19, 2008
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  3. JCMS

    JCMS Notebook Prophet

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    I had to to activate my XP each time I fomatted.

    Basically:
    Rep: Hi, could I have the installation code?
    Me: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
    Rep Okay, on how many computers have you installed this copy of windows?
    me: 1...
    Rep: okay! xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx
     
    JCMS, Apr 19, 2008
    #3
  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Cloning the HDD will cause the need to reactivate Vista by phone so I've had to do the phone activation once or twice. The phone was answered quickly. I say I've cloned the HDD and we then have the tedious exchange of these codes.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Apr 19, 2008
    #4
  5. _Webster_

    _Webster_ Notebook Consultant

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    @JCMS

    Thank you for explaining the process!
     
    _Webster_, Apr 19, 2008
    #5
  6. Harper2.0

    Harper2.0 Back from the dead?

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    for me there was a "machine" so I wasnt asked any questions. :)
     
    Harper2.0, Apr 19, 2008
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  7. leaftye

    leaftye Notebook Consultant

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    Many times. :mad:
     
    leaftye, Apr 19, 2008
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  8. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    it should be a machine now.. you dial in your the numbers and it gives you back the activation code
     
    flipfire, Apr 19, 2008
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  9. icecubez189

    icecubez189 Notebook Deity

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    i did it once before. it was very slow....
     
    icecubez189, Apr 19, 2008
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  10. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    its quite easy
    ive done it many times
     
    timtravel42, Apr 19, 2008
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  11. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah, for me it was always a machine asking the questions JCMS posted. Very easy really.
     
    Budding, Apr 19, 2008
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  12. rahulk

    rahulk Notebook Guru

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    yea same here, I have done it many times over the phone. I prefer automated service although it takes longer sometimes but it is annoying every time i formatted my computer. :mad2:
     
    rahulk, Apr 19, 2008
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  13. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Use the activation backup and restore tool (ABR)
     
    flipfire, Apr 19, 2008
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  14. aan310

    aan310 Notebook Virtuoso

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    For me with vista
    Basically:
    Rep: Hi, could I have the installation code?
    Me: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
    Rep Okay, on how many computers have you installed this copy of windows?
    me: 1...
    Rep: What disc did you use?
    Me: My vista premium disc.
    Rep: Did it come with your computer?
    Me: No, i did not get one with my laptop.
    Rep: So you have the same vista on 2 computers?
    Me: No, i have my vista install code on my laptop that came with my laptop, and the one that came with the cd on my desktop.
    Rep: okay! xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx, but next time, use the one that came with your laptop!

    (obviously this guy did not understand that my laptop did not come with one)
     
    aan310, Apr 19, 2008
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  15. _Webster_

    _Webster_ Notebook Consultant

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    Cool thanks everyone one, guess I'll give them I call now.
     
    _Webster_, Apr 19, 2008
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  16. _Webster_

    _Webster_ Notebook Consultant

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    Ok here's an update of my process:

    Machine: Thank you for calling the activation line for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003...etc.
    Machine: Would you like to activate Windows XP?
    Me: Yes
    Machine: Have you tried activating it over the Internet, it will be much faster.
    Me: Yes
    Machine: Are you at your computer?
    Me: Yes
    Machine: Please give me the installation code the first section of the installation code.
    Me: XXXXX
    Machine: Next section
    ...etc
    Machine: Is this the first time you are activating windows?
    Me: No
    Machine: How many computer have you installed Windows on?
    Me: 1
    Machine: Has there been any significant hardware changes such as a hard drive or processor?
    Me: No
    Machine: Let me process your answers. Valid!
    Machine: Here is the section A of new code:
    ..etc

    -------------------------
    Overall it was much faster and easier than I expected. It took about 5minutes.
     
    _Webster_, Apr 19, 2008
    #16