Microsoft Activation

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by DarkUnderlord, Oct 23, 2003.

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  1. DarkUnderlord

    DarkUnderlord Administrator Staff Member

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    DarkUnderlord, Oct 23, 2003
    DarkUnderlord, Oct 23, 2003
    #1
    Well, I've done it. Has anyone else?

    Anyone who's bought Windows XP or a new product from Microsoft recently would have gone through the 'activation' process. That is, you get into a screen with a number like this:

    389661-746261-875711-985861-838734-847165-916572-145856

    If you do it via telephone, you have to punch THAT ENTIRE NUMBER STRING in to the phone. Microsoft then give you back another, equally long number which yo then have to type into your computer to activate the software.

    What's your take on this? I think it's all fine and dandy for Microsoft to protect their software against piracy, but Jesus, do we need a 60 digit number in order to do it?

    By the way, what's the online activation like? My new computer isn't hooked to the net, so I got to ring the toll free number and deal with the recorded message.
     
    DarkUnderlord, Oct 23, 2003
    DarkUnderlord, Oct 23, 2003
    #1
  2. xento

    xento New Member

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    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    #2
    I agree that it can be a real pain in the arse, especially since the code can only be activated two or three times before it goes void, and then you need a good explanation as to why you over-used it before you will get another one.

    I think Microsoft is overreacting. I mean, how much money do they need? They are already probably the biggest business out there! Besides, they charge so much for their new OS(s) as it is, why buy a copy for all three computers at your house?
     
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    #2
  3. Jinxed

    Jinxed Active Member

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    Jinxed, Oct 23, 2003
    Jinxed, Oct 23, 2003
    #3
    You never have enough money. When Windows was a relatively fresh system, they didn't protect it in any way. It flooded the market like most other FREE software. And now, when the only other OS in serious competition is Linux, (which holds just a little piece of the pie) it's pretty safe to upgrade your copy pirate protection. A while ago when I was getting my new pc, I overheard some other people talking to the shop keeper. Apparently they wanted one of the sets that was available. They were arguing over Windows originally installed thus taking the price higher, a lot higher. Funny thing is that there was no way you could take it out. Windows xp costs 200$ over here.
     
    Jinxed, Oct 23, 2003
    Jinxed, Oct 23, 2003
    #3
  4. Xz

    Xz Monkey Admin Staff Member

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    Xz, Oct 23, 2003
    Xz, Oct 23, 2003
    #4
    well here in norway its 5000kr ($625)
     
    Xz, Oct 23, 2003
    Xz, Oct 23, 2003
    #4
  5. xento

    xento New Member

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    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    #5
    Xp.... Home? :-o

    Home is about $99 around here, but pro can get up to $400.

    Luckily, I bought a working burned copy that doesn't require activation from some Ebay guy that contacted us when he noticed we were bidding on a version of Windows XP and lost by a dollar or so.
     
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    #5
  6. Icairus

    Icairus New Member

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    Icairus, Oct 23, 2003
    Icairus, Oct 23, 2003
    #6
    I have illegal versions of XP Pro, Office XP, and Visual C++ 6.0
    I don't believe in supporting Microsoft.
    I don't even let my computer look like it runs windows
    I would love to go Linux or Mac, but I am too much of a gaming addict.
     
    Icairus, Oct 23, 2003
    Icairus, Oct 23, 2003
    #6
  7. xento

    xento New Member

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    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    #7
    Aha! I KNEW you were probably running XP with a different style installed! :razz:
     
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    #7
  8. Dark Elf

    Dark Elf Administrator Staff Member

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    Dark Elf, Oct 23, 2003
    Dark Elf, Oct 23, 2003
    #8
    Well, Icairus, I guess that makes you my brother in crime. Needless to say, my current Win XP Pro version, as well as the Win 2K version I had earlier, are and where illegal.

    It's not that I think that Bills' wallet is hurt by it though... :roll:

    Hmmm... my browser can't support shit, as it seems. Sorry Icairus, but I couldn't see your desktop. I make the asumption that it was nice though :)
     
    Dark Elf, Oct 23, 2003
    Dark Elf, Oct 23, 2003
    #8
  9. xento

    xento New Member

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    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    #9
    Internet Explorer Browser R0XX0RZ! :thumbup: :thumbup:
     
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    xento, Oct 23, 2003
    #9
  10. Chalupa Cobra

    Chalupa Cobra New Member

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    Chalupa Cobra, Oct 26, 2003
    Chalupa Cobra, Oct 26, 2003
    #10
    Please, someone spit out the name of a reliable Web browser that isn't controlled by Microsoft! My IE keeps breaking down in really bizarre ways and it keeps trying to install an update which won't install because it thinks I'm using an illegal version of XP Pro, which I am. Right now, I'm able to explore HOL but all of the links are broken and I can't bring up any other Internet sites even though Kazaa runs just fine. Hence, I know it's not my ISP. This happens a few times every day where IE is seemingly non-functional and then it'll come on-line for no apparent reason. SAVE ME FROM THE MONSTER THAT IS MICROSOFT!
     
    Chalupa Cobra, Oct 26, 2003
    Chalupa Cobra, Oct 26, 2003
    #10
  11. chrisbeddoes

    chrisbeddoes New Member

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    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    #11
    http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/ ... -win32.zip
     
    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    #11
  12. Chalupa Cobra

    Chalupa Cobra New Member

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    Chalupa Cobra, Oct 26, 2003
    Chalupa Cobra, Oct 26, 2003
    #12
    I've downloaded and decompressed the files, but there is no conveniently located readme.txt and it looks like some of the files are .jar'ed. How do I make it go??
     
    Chalupa Cobra, Oct 26, 2003
    Chalupa Cobra, Oct 26, 2003
    #12
  13. chrisbeddoes

    chrisbeddoes New Member

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    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    #13
    Amazing there is no install.You just run the MozillaFirebird.exe.
     
    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    #13
  14. Icairus

    Icairus New Member

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    Icairus, Oct 26, 2003
    Icairus, Oct 26, 2003
    #14
    Normal Mozilla - http://www.mozilla.org is basically the same, but it installs and such things, so it might be more comfortable to use that.
     
    Icairus, Oct 26, 2003
    Icairus, Oct 26, 2003
    #14
  15. chrisbeddoes

    chrisbeddoes New Member

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    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    #15
    Needing no install is the best .You just run it.
    Nothing is written to your registry.
     
    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    chrisbeddoes, Oct 26, 2003
    #15
  16. Sleek_Jeek

    Sleek_Jeek New Member

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    Sleek_Jeek, Oct 26, 2003
    Sleek_Jeek, Oct 26, 2003
    #16
    Personally i think this ridiculous fiasco over 60 digit activation garbage is the perfect reason to take to the streets and start raising hell. I'm surprised there aren't 60,000 screaming nerds in Washington DC as i type. Well its time folks, get your black bandanas and anarchy plackards ready, its time to lynch bill gates.

    Perhaps its time to try linux... but only if i can get arcanum to work on it...
     
    Sleek_Jeek, Oct 26, 2003
    Sleek_Jeek, Oct 26, 2003
    #16
  17. Dragoon

    Dragoon New Member

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    Dragoon, Oct 26, 2003
    Dragoon, Oct 26, 2003
    #17
    I propose Opera - simply the best internet experience. :)

    http://www.opera.com/

    Sleek if there was a foolproof method of running Windows' programs under Linux I'd be the first one to switch.
     
    Dragoon, Oct 26, 2003
    Dragoon, Oct 26, 2003
    #17
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