Dean,

You won't have to buy a new copy of XP if you upgrade your hardware. You
just have to call Microsoft and tell them you've upgraded and convince them
that you're not a crook and beg for permission to re-activate Windows. The
whole product activation scheme stinks and I for one won't be upgrading. Win
98 works fine for me. I don't need to put more money in Bill's bulging
pockets. In my opinion, Microsoft is just going to alienate more customers,
and in the long run will lose more money than they would by the average Joe
putting one copy of Windows on a couple of computers at home. I can play an
audio CD in my home or car stereo without buying another copy for each
machine. Why is computer software any different?

Sorry for ranting and if this is off topic I apologize for that also. But
this product activation really makes my blood boil. And from what I've been
reading, I'm not alone.

Dennis Thiel


----- Original Message -----
From: Dean Kukral <[log in to unmask]>

> I read in the paper yesterday that Windows XP is going to be
> hardware - licensed.  This means that when the XP is installed
> on your computer, it makes a list of the hardware you have.
> You must validate this license (over the net) with MS within
> thirty days or the OS crashes and burns.  MS keeps a
> copy of the hardware list.
>
> If the hardware changes "significantly"  (???), then the XP
> thinks it is on a new computer and does not work.  So,
> say you upgrade to a new mb and hd.  When you go to
> re-validate, MS says "no, this is an illegal second copy," and
> you need to buy a new copy of XP.  The details were not
> spelled out - and, perhaps, will be kept secret.
>
>
> This is bad news for PC Builders.  What if you change your
> mb or upgrade your hard drive and video card.  Will you then
> have to buy a new copy of XP??  It looks that way.
>
> This is MS's way of preventing the use of one licensed copy
> on more than one computer.
>
> Personally, if this article is true, I will not be buying XP until
> I absolutely need it to run some piece of software.
>

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