Win XP Activation again !!!

jeansb · 06-18-2008, 07:11 PM

Suddenly, my win XP ask for the activation, and ask me to activated within 3 days because "hardware change"!! I activated my windows xp Home about 1 year and half ago I haven't changed any hardwares or softwares in my computer since in June 2007 ! I only applied the Win XP SP3 about a month ago ! This is so weird to me ?? Did Anyone have the same problem like mine that windows ask for activation again without any hardware change ? or after applied windows SP3 ??

Thanks for all inputs !!

WhiteEclipse · 06-20-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeansb

Suddenly, my win XP ask for the activation, and ask me to activated within 3 days because "hardware change"!! I activated my windows xp Home about 1 year and half ago I haven't changed any hardwares or softwares in my computer since in June 2007 ! I only applied the Win XP SP3 about a month ago ! This is so weird to me ?? Did Anyone have the same problem like mine that windows ask for activation again without any hardware change ? or after applied windows SP3 ??

Thanks for all inputs !!

I installed a new wireless nic, no other changes for a long time, and it asked to be activated. I have read articles about the algorithms used to determine what causes an activation. But I think that software is bugged and it seems to be somewhat random. The one think, I think changing videocard drivers does add to the equation.

ctal · 06-20-2008, 04:10 PM

My guess would be that the randomness comes into play when you are close to the threshold of requiring reactivation.

At each boot, their algorithm computes a mathematical "hash" value (don't ask me what that means!) based on your current hardware configuration, and compares it to the hash value that was stored when you previously activated. The algorithm assigns different weights to different kinds of hardware (nic mac addresses get the greatest weight, according to what I once read).

So each time you boot, a comparison is made that encompasses all hardware changes that were made since you previously activated, which may have been years ago. If the hardware has changed enough during that time so as to bring you near the threshold of reactivation, then the imprecision in the hash algorithm (or possibly just roundoff error) could result in the randomness of the result.

It's not a major issue, because if you haven't reactivated in several months or more, you can just reactivate automatically over the net, without calling and talking to someone, and the reactivation will update your baseline hardware configuration to what it is now.

Regards,
-- Al

spookyload · 06-20-2008, 11:22 PM

The phone in activation is a computer now. It walks you through the process very fast and efficient. No broken English from off-shore tech support anymore.

06-18-2008, 07:11 PM	#1
jeansb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 22	Win XP Activation again !!! Suddenly, my win XP ask for the activation, and ask me to activated within 3 days because "hardware change"!! I activated my windows xp Home about 1 year and half ago I haven't changed any hardwares or softwares in my computer since in June 2007 ! I only applied the Win XP SP3 about a month ago ! This is so weird to me ?? Did Anyone have the same problem like mine that windows ask for activation again without any hardware change ? or after applied windows SP3 ?? Thanks for all inputs !!
(Offline)

06-20-2008, 04:10 PM	#3
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,122	Re: Win XP Activation again !!! My guess would be that the randomness comes into play when you are close to the threshold of requiring reactivation. At each boot, their algorithm computes a mathematical "hash" value (don't ask me what that means!) based on your current hardware configuration, and compares it to the hash value that was stored when you previously activated. The algorithm assigns different weights to different kinds of hardware (nic mac addresses get the greatest weight, according to what I once read). So each time you boot, a comparison is made that encompasses all hardware changes that were made since you previously activated, which may have been years ago. If the hardware has changed enough during that time so as to bring you near the threshold of reactivation, then the imprecision in the hash algorithm (or possibly just roundoff error) could result in the randomness of the result. It's not a major issue, because if you haven't reactivated in several months or more, you can just reactivate automatically over the net, without calling and talking to someone, and the reactivation will update your baseline hardware configuration to what it is now. Regards, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Online)

06-20-2008, 11:22 PM	#4
spookyload IN-n-Out Expert Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Probably stuck in Iraq! Posts: 2,910	Re: Win XP Activation again !!! The phone in activation is a computer now. It walks you through the process very fast and efficient. No broken English from off-shore tech support anymore.
(Offline)

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