Yeah laugh it up....I'm finally moving up to XP from win 2000:cheesy: My question to you guys is....What's with the activation in 30 days message? Do I have to activate the OS? What happens if I being me go against the grain and not activate...Will XP melt or uninstall itself? I paid my money for the software, I've done my part to help secure the Yahoo deal...What's next? Will they leave me alone? Or are they going to get rough with this activation crap??? 2000 was a great OS but not supported much anymore ergo the upgrade. Please tell me there's a switch somewhere that will tell the microslob boys that I just want to get down to work and never activate what I've paid for......Please!!!!
Moving up to XP
- Thread starter Mino
- Start date
andy mace
Well-known member
The only reason to keep 2000 is that it doesn't have all the activation crap. Go ahead and activate the product online. Since you bought the software and are using a factory key, it will activate without having to call tech support. It will not bother you again unless you change (3) pieces of hardware in the computer . Change means anything like adding / upgrading the hard drive, upgrading the modem, etc. If XP detects too many changes in the hardware you'll have to call tech supt. for a new activation key. They will ask you why you have to activate. The standard answer is, "the motherboard went bad, I've replaced it, and now it's doing this crap" or even tell them the truth. whatever, it's more of an intimidation scheme (and annoyance to legit customers) than it is a way of stopping piracy.
XP is a solid OS but there are a bunch of annoyances that need to be dealt with. XPAntiSPY is a program developed in Germany that allows you to easily disable a bunch of stupid stuff like the help ballons that pop up everywhere. get it HERE.
Also be aware that XP is the best platform yet for viruses and other malware. Be sure you are protecting the OS from malware. It is ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY that you install Service Pack 2 and run Windows Update every few days but don't install IE7 unless you use IE over Mozilla Firefox. Updates will prevent you from getting well known malware but it's not a replacement for running a good set of antivirus and antimalware software. I'm not going to endorse any commercial solutions but I will say stay away from Norton AV. If you want free solutions, download and install these packages:
SpyBOT v1.5
Spyware Terminator (enable clamav and crawler plugin)
Both can be found on download.com or with a google search. Also, unless there is a site or online application that REQUIRES you run Internet Explorer, downlaod and run Mozilla Firefoox. Another tip is to use Mozilla Thunderbird as your email client rather than running than Outlook or Outlook Express. Of course, if you have been using Outlook and are reluctant to change, be doubly sure that you run Windows Update frequently. With all the hackers out there wanting to steal your credit card and bank account numbers out there, frequent updates are a requirement anymore. Outlook and IE is the best way for them to sneak bad software on your machine without you knowing.
play it safe, run a good suite of antimalware software, update frequently and have fun enjoying greater stability and compatibility with XP PRO (it may be the last acceptable OS M$ does).
XP is a solid OS but there are a bunch of annoyances that need to be dealt with. XPAntiSPY is a program developed in Germany that allows you to easily disable a bunch of stupid stuff like the help ballons that pop up everywhere. get it HERE.
Also be aware that XP is the best platform yet for viruses and other malware. Be sure you are protecting the OS from malware. It is ABSOLUTELY MANDATORY that you install Service Pack 2 and run Windows Update every few days but don't install IE7 unless you use IE over Mozilla Firefox. Updates will prevent you from getting well known malware but it's not a replacement for running a good set of antivirus and antimalware software. I'm not going to endorse any commercial solutions but I will say stay away from Norton AV. If you want free solutions, download and install these packages:
SpyBOT v1.5
Spyware Terminator (enable clamav and crawler plugin)
Both can be found on download.com or with a google search. Also, unless there is a site or online application that REQUIRES you run Internet Explorer, downlaod and run Mozilla Firefoox. Another tip is to use Mozilla Thunderbird as your email client rather than running than Outlook or Outlook Express. Of course, if you have been using Outlook and are reluctant to change, be doubly sure that you run Windows Update frequently. With all the hackers out there wanting to steal your credit card and bank account numbers out there, frequent updates are a requirement anymore. Outlook and IE is the best way for them to sneak bad software on your machine without you knowing.
play it safe, run a good suite of antimalware software, update frequently and have fun enjoying greater stability and compatibility with XP PRO (it may be the last acceptable OS M$ does).
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I feel NAKED!!!
Thanks for the info...The XP box is not going on line, it's production only for that puppy. The box that's getting shuffled back will handle all Internet activity and it's remaining 2000. I protect with AVG and Zone alarm and a hammer! I just buck the idea of activating anything. I actually like pop up balloons, They make me think someone cares...But most of all I like popping them! Funny, I'm running Vista on my laptop (Not by choice, it came on my laptop and I gave it a fair chance) and it's not bothered me for anything in months. Maybe the whole activation thing didn't sit well with XP users and they did away with it in Vista? I guess when it comes down to it, I should just ACTIVATE XP since I bought a copy rather than have a new box just "come with" an OS. Just bugs me that I paid for a trial version I guess
Thanks for the info...The XP box is not going on line, it's production only for that puppy. The box that's getting shuffled back will handle all Internet activity and it's remaining 2000. I protect with AVG and Zone alarm and a hammer! I just buck the idea of activating anything. I actually like pop up balloons, They make me think someone cares...But most of all I like popping them! Funny, I'm running Vista on my laptop (Not by choice, it came on my laptop and I gave it a fair chance) and it's not bothered me for anything in months. Maybe the whole activation thing didn't sit well with XP users and they did away with it in Vista? I guess when it comes down to it, I should just ACTIVATE XP since I bought a copy rather than have a new box just "come with" an OS. Just bugs me that I paid for a trial version I guess
TwistedLincoln
Veteran
I refuse to purchase XP, or any other software that requires Product Activation, and I urge you to do the same. I've done all of my video work with no issues under Windows 2000, and I'll never have to beg Microsoft for permission to reinstall the product I paid for.
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
:undecided :grin: :lipsrseal