[Rhodes22-list] Windows XP is Not Genuine

[David Culp]

Brad:

Rex is on to it:  You should go back to the IBM service center and get your
money back from the technician who loaded that copy of XP on your hard drive
and then charged you for it.  This sounds like a copy of a multi-license XP
with a corporate key.  It doesn't phone home for activation, but Bill Gates
catches up with you when you try to put on service packs or updates.  He
(the tech) probably has loaded this same copy with the same key on hundreds
of machines; Microsoft has gotten wind of it and blocked that particular
key.  Any genuine copy of windows for an individual computer gets a new
hologram sticker, has its own key and phones home for activation.  Anyone
who sells a valid copy of XP should also provide the original CD and yes...
However asked,  you can reload it to your heart's content on larger drives
and it will reactivate.  Just be aware however, that a new hard drive
combined with a new network card on a previously activated install-might get
you bounced.  A new motherboard will definitely do it.  Apparently, Windows
takes a poll every time it boots to see what components are left from the
original install.  If you the legitimate owner, don't get enough votes
because you changed out components, you lose and have to call Microsoft.

David
Working on being a Rhodie in Texas