NeXT
Veteran Member
This really walks a line so please, don't link to anything that's against forum rules.
So the regular online activation process for stuff like XP and Server 2003 no longer really works anymore and it's at the point where it's all phone activation and no promises that is going to exist in a few more years. Even stuff like server 2008 gave me trouble but I still managed to make WGA happy after a phonecall. Lets say you have a legit product key and legit install media. What do now? Once I start applying updates WGA's going to want to phone home and the 30 day timer starts again, but it can't so I end up with installs that at best I can extend the activation life to 90 days and then I'm locked out.
So the regular online activation process for stuff like XP and Server 2003 no longer really works anymore and it's at the point where it's all phone activation and no promises that is going to exist in a few more years. Even stuff like server 2008 gave me trouble but I still managed to make WGA happy after a phonecall. Lets say you have a legit product key and legit install media. What do now? Once I start applying updates WGA's going to want to phone home and the 30 day timer starts again, but it can't so I end up with installs that at best I can extend the activation life to 90 days and then I'm locked out.