Windows XP Activation tip

[bodyelectrik]

when we first got our macbook, we installed boot camp, installed windows xp and activated windows xp - no problem.

then, we decided to use parallels and so we "restored" with boot camp, removing the windows xp partition and recovering the disc space, installed parallels, and re-installed windows xp - no problem.

windows xp then asked for activation once again. here's where the problems started.... the activation code we used the first time (from the win xp cd case - toally legit) could not be used again because it was already used. i called microsoft to request support in getting a new activation code and (mistakenly) said that i installed windows xp with boot camp and that we decided to go the parallels route instead so we re-installed windows xp and had issues using our activation code the 2nd time we installed. microsoft said they don't support beta software and couldn't help us! this was last friday, the day parallels was officially released (no longer in beta). i told them that, but they refused to generate another activation code for us! i said "are you saying that i have wasted $250 on windows xp and you are going to make me buy another copy?" they said "yup". ouch.

so i said, "well then i want to install win xp on my pc". they said ok, is the pc in front of you?" i said "no". they said "call back when it is".

so i went home, called from a different phone number and requested activation for my "pc" as we had re-installed on the same pc. they asked "what kind of pc?". i about shit myself because i didn't want to say it was a macbook....after a loooooong pause, she asked if the activation code was from a sticker on the pc and i said no, from the windows xp cd case i purchased separate from the pc.

then she generated another activation code for us. sheeeesh....hairy.

So i wanted to share that you should not mention boot camp, parallels, macintosh, apple or anything like that if you are calling MS for support as they will not help you! beware.

[jondriscoll]

when we first got our macbook, we installed boot camp, installed windows xp and activated windows xp - no problem.

then, we decided to use parallels and so we "restored" with boot camp, removing the windows xp partition and recovering the disc space, installed parallels, and re-installed windows xp - no problem.

windows xp then asked for activation once again. here's where the problems started.... the activation code we used the first time (from the win xp cd case - toally legit) could not be used again because it was already used. i called microsoft to request support in getting a new activation code and (mistakenly) said that i installed windows xp with boot camp and that we decided to go the parallels route instead so we re-installed windows xp and had issues using our activation code the 2nd time we installed. microsoft said they don't support beta software and couldn't help us! this was last friday, the day parallels was officially released (no longer in beta). i told them that, but they refused to generate another activation code for us! i said "are you saying that i have wasted $250 on windows xp and you are going to make me buy another copy?" they said "yup". ouch.

so i said, "well then i want to install win xp on my pc". they said ok, is the pc in front of you?" i said "no". they said "call back when it is".

so i went home, called from a different phone number and requested activation for my "pc" as we had re-installed on the same pc. they asked "what kind of pc?". i about shit myself because i didn't want to say it was a macbook....after a loooooong pause, she asked if the activation code was from a sticker on the pc and i said no, from the windows xp cd case i purchased separate from the pc.

then she generated another activation code for us. sheeeesh....hairy.

So i wanted to share that you should not mention boot camp, parallels, macintosh, apple or anything like that if you are calling MS for support as they will not help you! beware.
Hi bodyelectrik,

I just had a slightly different experience.
I was trying a similar thing. But, I had first installed a "brand new" XP pro in a parallels VM, then created a bootcamp partition, and installed the same copy of XP in that.

(I wanted to play a game that needed DirectX...so parallels wasn't appropriate!)

As suggested above, the windows install complained about not being activated, and when I tried to activate, it told me that this was not the first time that this version had been activated before.

So, I followed the activation utility instructions, and called the toll free number for activation support.

After a few automated menu's I eventually got talking to an operator.
I told her exactly what I had done. The Macbook, the parallels install, and now bootcamp.
She did seem a little sceptical at first, but once I confirmed that I was effectively re-installing XP for a second time on the SAME MACHINE, she generated a new key to be entered into the activation utility.

I have since re-booted into the parallels XP VM, and the activation utility still says that it is activated too.

There was no mention of "beta" software either, so maybe that is what has changed ?

So, in summary:
o I have XP installed in a parallels VM, and a bootcamp partition at the same time
o MS support was friendly, and helpful - I suggest be honest with them
o It seems that as long as you are installing on one physical machine, multiple activations are not a big issue for MS

I was not partiularly happy shelling out $500 for XP pro, but as least MS is letting me use it the way I need to!

HTH,
- jd

[Jon]

jondriscoll,

exaclty same story for a friend of mine except she wanted to go from Parallels to bootcamp (gaming) and th guy at MS in Australia was pretty good. Same machine = no problem.

[LGgeek]

So I gather from this that I can't install my retail winxp for another user(my wife) on my Mac pro. So I have to but a winxp version for every user on my Mac Pro ?
This doesn't seem like a cost effective solution. Can't I just share the vm I already have winxp installed on ?:eek:

[joem]

So I gather from this that I can't install my retail winxp for another user(my wife) on my Mac pro. So I have to but a winxp version for every user on my Mac Pro ?
This doesn't seem like a cost effective solution. Can't I just share the vm I already have winxp installed on ?:eek:
If you want two separate installations, just clone the VM once you get it set up the way you like. Note that this takes up disk space twice. Note also that XP allows multiple user accounts, so this may not be necessary. You can put the VM files in a shared folder on your Mac and both of you can access the VM, assuming your problem is separate logins on the Mac.

In fact, if you get two copies of Parallels for your two Macs (soon, right?) you can clone the VM and move it to the other machine. There's lots of flexibility. (Of course running XP on two machines at the same time wouldnt be permitted by the XP license terms).

[LeeR]

Well this has been an eye opening experience. Bought a macbook pro and parallels. Mostly to run WinXp but have a few things I need to do on the Mac side. Used Parallels Transporter to move the WinXp installation complete to the mac as a virtual machine. Of course as this is "new hardware" WinXp needed to be re-activated.

And then the fun began. Couldn't activate with the Dell OEM version product key. 2nd level MS activation support instructed me to get a new copy and do the "change product key". $269. and 2 days later the WinXP retail box arrives and I do as instructed. Still no joy. Won't activate and calls the product key "invalid"

Call activation support again, after dancing around, explaining what level 2 had said, I was transfered from India to the US customer service center. That guy validated the product key that I had with the retail WinXp. He was unable to do anything more than that as they "don't have activation access" and I was transferred back to India and told to ask for level 2 activation support.

Another dance with the level 1 operator, got to level 2. Told him the whole story and he was unable to validate the installation and got another US customer service rep on the phone. After she validated the product key, again, she then informs me that "Installation and activation issues for WinXP on mac is to be handled by agreement by mac".

Jeez. It's no wonder people say "Once you go mac, you never go back."

My next try is to change the product key in the PC and re-transporter it to the mac.