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Microsoft disables key

By Derek Sooman

On February 28, 2005, 12:55 PM

Microsoft' latest move to stem piracy of its products has extended to disabling a product key that allowed OEMs to automatically activate Microsoft software. It will now be necessary for users to call in and answer a series of questions to have the product activated. This is expected to generate an increased number of consumer calls for OEMs.

"This will be tough on the home users. It won't play well at all with consumers."

"[OEMs] will have to communicate up front and in a clear manner with purchasers what they must do to activate the product."
- Panda Software CTO Patrick Hinojosa.

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User Comments: 2

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  1. as a victim of microsoft oem i ask myself would it not be easier to use a boot legged copy rather that be messed about by microsoft, rather than persecute the people who actually buy the discs, they should be ensuring that these customers are kept happy...when i asked how much the phone call would cost i was ignored...buck your ideas up microsoft..also the trial period without the code ended 17 days before it was supposed to...the most unreliable componant in my new pc is microsoft's operating system
  2. I agree with you .... i have already begun to use Linux and Cedega and WineX to run all my apps and games. Imagine how this is going to effect the supplier that has to ship lots of pc's a day ,well done Bill!!!

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