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Being the family CIO, my girlfriend's mom asked me to fix some problems she was having with her computer - Windows XP Pro.

So, like any good IT guy, after fixing the issue, I made sure to get her computer updated. She was on SP2.

I installed SP3, rebooted, and got a notification that Windows was not activated.

I called the telephone activation line, entered the code when asked, and then the system asked me how many other computers this copy of Windows is installed on. I have no clue as I didn't build this computer or install it.

I kept saying "I don't know," but it just kept asking me how many.

Finally, frustrated, I typed in "0" to try to get to an operator. The system apparently interpreted that as me saying it was installed on zero other computers, and gave me a confirmation code.

At this point I was a little frustrated that I couldn't talk to a human, so I went ahead and entered the code it gave me, and it accepted it.

Problem is, I have absolutely no idea if her copy of Windows is legit or not. So I called the activation line back and got to a representative, and explained the situation exactly the way I explained it above. He told me that everything is fine and not to worry.

I just thought I'd post this here and see what other people think - should I worry?

Dave
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    You're asking for *legal advice* from *random strangers on the internet*? *After* you spoke to *a Microsoft representative* and he told you it was okay? – Daniel Beck Feb 11 '12 at 21:18
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    If it were not okay, the system would have let you know (in a friendly, non-accusatory, up-selling, marketing kind of way) because pirated keys are blacklisted and won’t activate. – Synetech Feb 11 '12 at 21:51
  • "He told me that everything is fine and not to worry." Good enough for me, its legal, move on. – Moab Feb 12 '12 at 05:11
  • Thanks for the responses. I guess I just didn't have a lot of faith in Microsoft's tech support, although I'm glad to hear other people have had similar experiences :) – Dave Feb 12 '12 at 15:03

1 Answers1

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At this point I was a little frustrated that I couldn't talk to a human, so I went ahead and entered the code it gave me, and it accepted it.

He told me that everything is fine and not to worry.

You already answered your own question. If Microsofts system has activated it, and they even told you it was fine, then you have nothing to fear.

I called the telephone activation line, entered the code when asked, and then the system asked me how many other computers this copy of Windows is installed on. I have no clue as I didn't build this computer or install it.

Happened to me also. It's just a computer thing. If you had a license that was only good for 3 computers are you said 4, it would deny you. I made the error of telling it 9001 and got hung up on. Basically, it's for non-techies to use for the most part, prompting them to get a new Window's license.

Tl:dr - You have not a fear in the world, fly free.

Simon Sheehan
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