----- Original Message -----
From: "Chuck Andrews" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2006 9:12
... After I install Windows XP using the Product Key on the COA affixed to
the case I have to call Microsoft (which has outsources this process to
Taiwan) to authenticate. Microsoft most often asks me for the Product Key.
Even if they do not, they have the "DNA" of the computer that was sent to
them at least twice, once when it was new and once when I attempted to
authenticate and authentication failed. Once Microsoft approves and allows
authentication, the Product Key on the COA is locked to that installation
of Windows. The customer should never have that problem again.
I have asked Microsoft why I have to call them to authenticate Windows on
a reinstallation. They informed me that it is their policy to have the
customer call in after each reinstall. I saw no need to inform them that I
never have to call them when I reinstall Windows XP on a computer that I
built, no matter how many times I have to reinstall it.
With name brand computers one or two things (or the combination of both)
evidently trips the Microsoft denial of online authentication.
1. Partition (rids the hard drive of the little partition installed by the
name brand computer manufacturer), format and a clean install, totally
bypassing the name brand install. By bypassing the Microsoft Windows XP
OEM Preinstallation Kit, you get far less junk and proprietary clutter
etc.
2. Windows having been installed by the computer manufacturer using a
different Product Key than the one on the COA they affixed to the
computer.
My estimate is that in the almost 5 years XP has been around (I did the
same thing with previous operating systems) I have partitioned, formatted
and did clean installs on over 700 name brand computers. That is a lot of
calls to Microsoft! Over 90% of the calls to Microsoft have been required
in the past 3 years. This indicates that they have tightened security etc.
I am confident that each and every computer I partitioned, formatted and
did a clean install on performs far better than it did the day it was new.
With large OEMs like Dell, they are not going to install from individual
media, I believe they install from an image which has a special generated
OEM Product Key used for that purpose.
Regards,
*************************************
Rick Cogan from Melbourne, FL
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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