XP Build 2526

[HIESLanMan]

I don't see what the problem is. The UI is different, I'll grant that. And it's a bit annoying for those of us used to W2K. But as far as I can tell, even the beta versions are stable - far more so than the W2K betas, IMO. Setup is much easier than any of the 9x flavors, and certainly no more painfull than W2K. And activation is likely to be a non-issue in the long run. Corporate installations won't require it, and it is a one-time deal for most users. The only ones really hit by this are the techs who have to work on home-users' machines, and this may be offset by the users being limited in the damage they can do to the OS itself. I've had good success with almost everything I've run on XP, and I don't understand what all the moaning is about?

[DJSEARCHING]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sheriff Q:
[QB]I'm running RC1 on a bare minimum machine (PII-300 w/ 128MB RAM) and it seems stable.
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Here it comes(no mods sit back).Yeah sheriff,I was going to put it on the same platform,still might.Well after the two days of downloading(time outs included),and not having the rc-1 in my hands(which I ordered the cd)with the product code,and having fed-ex send it back,because they claimed my adress wasn't a good one,and finishing up a packard bell 440(thanks windrivers for holding on to those drivers),I finally took a break and loaded it(rc-2).It's on an amd k6 500/256 ram.Not bad,much eye candy.The wizards are decent too.However,I must agree,the product activation is a bit much.And if you look at MS web site on piracy,the main thing thats mentioned is "casual copying".?. Well wait a minute,(1) this is a timed os,and is for testing purposes.So when I go to a client,and "wow" them on this os,how do I tell them,how it will work on an intel platform,or visa versa.The only way I can do this is too load it on a platform,and make observations within the 14 day time limit before activation.(2)A home user buys it when it's released.They decide it's "cool".However,if they wanted to load it on another pc,or lap top,they are going to have to purchase a license to do it.Tooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!So here's the hypothetical(for the tech's),a person brings a machine in with windows xp loaded on it.Ok,needs product activation.Whoa,it won't activate.Why,cause it's already on another machine.Gonna be a lot of techs going bald by scratching their heads over this one.And is the tech going to be a MS license pusher?Not to mention the response from the owner saying "WHAT,I JUST SPENT 300*%!*% FRICCIN DOLLARS,JUST TO LOAD IT ON ONE MACHINE,AND NOW I HAVE TO PAY MORE FOR A LICENSE?As if techs don't have enough headaches just fixing these boxes.Anyway IE6,seems fine,WMP8 I like.I chose the classic desktop,and control panel,just to get me around till I feel this os out.Shouldn't take too long,it's w2k with a twist.But I'll say it again.Product activation,and leasing will be Microsofts demise,it will cause stagnation.Think about it,as a regular user,why should I buy an os like xp,or an ap like office xp,and pay additional charges,when I can always use win 3.1,95,98,nt4,2000,or office 97,2000,and be productive.Well that my 2 cents plus some.I haven't been in the forums for a bit.

[gess22]

GOT MY COPY OF RC 2 DON'T THINK I'LL LOAD IT THOUGH.I GUESS WHATS BOTHERING ME IS THE REGISTRATION AND THE FACT THAT MS SAYS YOU CAN ONLY RELOAD 6 TIMES WITH A SINGLE DISK.I REALLY DON'T THINK ITS ANY OF MICROSOFTS BUSINESS WHAT SYSTEM I'M RUNNING OR HOW MANY TIMES I RELOAD.WHEN YOU BUY A SOFTWARE PACKAGE IT SHOULD BE YOURS TO USE AS YOU SEE FIT NOT HOW MS SAYS YOU HAVE TO USE IT.FROM MY POINT OF VIEW IF THIS IS HOW MS WANTS TO DO BUSINESS NOW I HAVE BOUGHT MY LAST OS FROM THEM WHEN I BOUGHT WIN2K.

[Budster64]

Here's my reply to all this " I can't install this OS on my twenty machines at home and only buy 1 license!!"

Here at work we use a program called Pro/E if you don't know what that is, it's a CAD type application that's very cool and very powerful. It cost us over $500,000( yes you read that right, half a million) for the software, training and the machines to run it on...all for 5 licenses....yes you read that right again...5 licenses.
Now you would imagine that with that amount of money we could very well do whatever we wanted to do with the software, install it on whatever machine we wanted....so on and so forth.
WRONG!! Installation is tied to the CPU ID and if it doesn't match that and the serial # on the sales notice IT WON'T INSTALL!! So whenever I need to install this on a machine other than the one it was on originally I have to call the manufacturer tell them what I want to do, they look up our account and transfer the install info to the new machine. Then I can install it. And don't think it was the easy 3 minute process like it was when I had to do it with XP.
The only good thing is that if we ever have the disc stolen by an employee ( yea that never happens) he will not be able to use it no matter what he does, unless he cracks it and..yea good luck.
Product activation has been around a long long time, it's just now MS is using it so more people are affected. I don't agree with it, but I can see where they are coming from. I guess the best thing is either lower the prices or come out with a good multi license program like EMOLP for homes with decent price incentives for buying more licenses for the home. Which actually I think that idea is being thrown around.

BTW who told you that you can only use the disc 6 times??? That's just FUD and propaganda. And folks let's get it right now....Registration is Optional...it's Activation that you are concerned with. Two different beasts.