Microsoft is stalking me

[ElPolloDiabl]

I got a new copy of Windows XP Pro OEM a few months ago and it was running quite happily and not bothering me to activate it. I eventually let it download updates and afterwards it pops up with the "You have 30 days to activate Windows."
I've reinstalled the Windows copy again (after a virus went beserk) thinking it would go back to the original OEM setting but I get the, "You have 30 days to activate Windows" again. Apparently a quick format of the hard drive wasn't enough, MS has installed something on my hard drive.
I'm not going to activate it because my copy will get locked on the current hardware.
What I'll do is boot up with Linux and get it to format the drive.

[save2600]

Not shocked. Facebook no longer "likes" me since they found out I'm not a liberal hippie douche    

For the love of Big Brother. 1984. Sexcrime. Doubleplusgood.

[tone007]

Being a Microsoft partner is great, none of this "activation" nonsense...

[matthey]

"You have 30 days to activate Windows."

You have 30 seconds to comply! rata tat tat rata tat tat .

[skwayb]

No matter what you do that is going to eventually happen.  The minute WGA update is installed.. bam you get it.  Or if you use windows update, it forces you to update WGA and bam same message.  So you are going to get locked to that hardware.

[LoadWB]

I got a new copy of Windows XP Pro OEM a few months ago and it was running quite happily and not bothering me to activate it. I eventually let it download updates and afterwards it pops up with the "You have 30 days to activate Windows."
I've reinstalled the Windows copy again (after a virus went beserk) thinking it would go back to the original OEM setting but I get the, "You have 30 days to activate Windows" again. Apparently a quick format of the hard drive wasn't enough, MS has installed something on my hard drive.
I'm not going to activate it because my copy will get locked on the current hardware.
What I'll do is boot up with Linux and get it to format the drive.

The first activation warning was either a flub in Windows Genuine Advantage, or you have a shoddy source for OEM software.  The second activation notice, after you reinstalled, is expected since it is a new installation.

You can get the XP installation to do a full format, just select the option without the "Quick Format" bit.  It takes longer, but it works.  And do not worry too much about activation problems.  So long as the hardware ID calculates out the same, you should not run into problems, and if you do it takes a six minute phone call to Microsoft.

I know, it is a lot of hoops through which to jump.  Try being a system builder and downgrade Vista or 7, and the horse-shyt we have to go through to do that.  I doubt Windows pirates have as much nonesense to deal with.

[koaftder]

I got a new copy of Windows XP Pro OEM a few months ago and it was running quite happily and not bothering me to activate it. I eventually let it download updates and afterwards it pops up with the "You have 30 days to activate Windows."
I've reinstalled the Windows copy again (after a virus went beserk) thinking it would go back to the original OEM setting but I get the, "You have 30 days to activate Windows" again. Apparently a quick format of the hard drive wasn't enough, MS has installed something on my hard drive.
I'm not going to activate it because my copy will get locked on the current hardware.
What I'll do is boot up with Linux and get it to format the drive.

write all byte to zero:
http://www.dban.org/

Seriously though, you're doing something wrong. MS hasn't done something bizarre on your disc. A zero write isn't needed, but it will give you peace of mind for sure.

[som99]

The thing with MS and it's insande WGA is that if you have used your key in a previous activation you need to contact MS for a reset of the key if you reinstall windows. It's quite stupid, but true

So ditch Windows and download and install Linux if you are new to Linux I would recomend Ubuntu

[ElPolloDiabl]

I did a full format, not quick like before, on installation and there has been no message to activate Windows. I'll be able to hang on to my copy hassle free for good.

[Piru]

I did a full format, not quick like before, on installation and there has been no message to activate Windows. I'll be able to hang on to my copy hassle free for good.

Lets check again in 30 days.

Anyway, what's the problem with activating the windows? If your HW changes too much you can call them and get the code to activate it manually. Well at least that's how it worked couple of years ago.

[Trev]

Just activate the software and be done with it. If it bothers you that much, find a friend with a volume license key and media. You've already properly licensed the software. (Or maybe you haven't, but really, no one cares, leastwise Microsoft. They have better things to do than harass paranoid Amiga users.)

[ElPolloDiabl]

The problem only started when I download updates. I switched that option off. Apparently my disc doesn't require activation by default, it's just then when you let Microsoft poke around via updates it sets off the activation thing.

[Piru]

The problem only started when I download updates. I switched that option off.

Well that is a mistake. You'll be pwned in no time.

Apparently my disc doesn't require activation by default, it's just then when you let Microsoft poke around via updates it sets off the activation thing.

Well, you do have the license sticker in your machine right? If so, why not just activate?

[ElPolloDiabl]

The problem is if you activate it and then change some of the hardware you have to call MS and quote about 20 numbers. Then you have to type in 20 numbers that you get quoted just to complete installation.

I'm lucky this OEM copy doesn't require activation. I'll be able to play old games on it till they come out with some retro emulation package.

[cv643d]

There is a common fix out on all large trackers, mostly the most well seeded torrent given its small filesize if you know what to search for.

Basically, you change the XP number with it, and then run some WGA-fix, then you have a 100% genuine XP.

No its not some crack that only works 24h, it has been working fine for me for a couple of years even with full updates on. I even prefer it to legal XP since you can mess around with hardware changes etc..