Re: PcTech Digest, Vol 5, Issue 23

I have heard in some of the MS boards that the big name supplied CDs are
locked to their motherboard BIOS strings. In other words you can install
a Dell XP CD to just about any Dell motherboard but not to a Gateway or
generic. I think that even if you call MS activation line they will
refuse to activate it. They have licensed the manufacturer to include a
CD/key for their machines, not just any machine. Actually I think that
part of the code is in the license key somehow. I do know that the keys
must match the type. OEM keys to OEM CDs, Volume License keys to Volume
License CDs and Retail keys to Retail CDs...

I also found out that all the big name supplied keys will not activate
automatically any more. You always have to call the MS activation line
and tell someone in India why.

It is the same as IBM licensing PSF/400 for a given serial number. You
can't use it on another serial number with out their permission.

Roger Vicker, CCP

On 1/24/2007 11:56 AM, Dan wrote:

On 1/23/07, qsrvbas@xxxxxxxxxxxx <qsrvbas@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
  

How long can you run WinXP without "activation"? I use XP at the
office, but I don't have to maintain it.
    

Like Rick said, I expected 30 days.  But no such luck; I couldn't login at
all until I reactivated XP.  Don't know if that's specifically an OEM thing
or what.

- Dan