Computers are NEVER identical..
--
Mike Hall
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
"William" <woogles@charter.net> wrote in message
news:e2Ppn$KCHHA.3916@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> In theory, would this work if you have two computers that have identical
> configurations?
>
>
> "Tom Porterfield" <tpporter@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:1nt73heltrdy9.dlg@tpportermvps.org...
>> On Wed, 15 Nov 2006 17:28:21 +1000, Julie wrote:
>>
>>> http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2006/10...n_to_bit-tech/
>>>
>>> Referring to this article, I'd like to know if someone could clarify one
>>> part for me... I like to format my PC every now and then, like many
>>> others.
>>> My question is, if my HD is the same, but I am reinstalling it, wouldn't
>>> that mean I'd have to reactivate it? I would think that when the HD is
>>> formatted and a fresh install existing, it would not remember that I
>>> previously activated it.
>>>
>>> Unless the MS server has my HD ID and compares it on fresh install?
>>>
>>> Anybody know?
>>
>> First off that article isn't accurate, this is some flat out wrong info
>> in
>> there. Second, the EULA for Vista has been updated since that article
>> was
>> published, so some of the information that was correct at the time it was
>> published is no longer correct.
>>
>> But your question is still valid. If you format your drive and
>> reinstall,
>> you will need to reactivate. But since you are reinstalling on the same
>> machine it will activate automatically over the internet. This is
>> possible
>> because unique, but irreversible, information about your hardware
>> configuration is sent to MS activation servers when you activate.
>> Activating again on the same hardware will cause the same information to
>> be
>> sent.
>> --
>> Tom Porterfield
>
>