So whats the deal with activation on RTM?

gizbug

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Seeing how the servers are shut down for activation (which they should be, til it's released) whats the deal? You install RTM leak, can't activate it, and get an annoying popup for a few weeks? Then when it's out on Technet, just purchase a legit key from within windows 8 and done?
 

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My guess is that yeah, but the TechNet release, servers will be open for activation business as Windows tells you the DNS name doesn't exist suggesting it's a network issue away from you. There will be an annoying watermark on the lower left corner of the screen that WILL not go away unless if you restart I think. I'm not sure.

But to purchase a legit key, you either have to be a TechNet subscriber to get one or wait until October 26th when it's an official retail product.
 

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I made the mistake of purchasing for $69.99 the activation key thru Win8 RTM. It took my money, then a window popped up to activate, which took me to the MS website where there was no mention of Windows 8. I got a receipt via email with the key, which did not work. The receipt was from a company called "[FONT=&amp]arvato digital services, llc; 29011 Commerce Center Drive; Valencia, CA 91355". No phone number, no email, no contact list.

Has anyone tried this? Has anyone heard of this company? Do you think I was ripped off? Should I call my credit card company and cancel payment?
[/FONT]
 

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Heh, well I bet likely not. BUT you will probably not be able to activate till /at least/ Aug 15...

Er.. did you actually get a key? If not then you may be in a strange limbo. I would definitely NOT reinstall or do anything drastic to your current install as you may have to wait for Aug 15th or later to complete the activation. If you reinstall the OS then you may lose whatever record of your payment may be on the machine right now for good.
 

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There is talk that with Technet, a subscriber will get a single key for Windows 8 and that key can be used for unlimited installs, but only 1 activation that becomes tied to that machine and cannot be moved to another machine. This was discussed by Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley in the Windows Weekly Podcast #272 from August 2, 2012.

People shouldn't count on Technet for licensing of their Windows 8 boxes. It sounds like MS is going to really restrict that usage and instead expects people to simply pony up the $40 they are asking.
 

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My TechNet sub expires in Oct and I probably won't renew. At least I have a chance to try a legit Window 8 RTM and see if all my hardware and software are compatible. Hopefully vendors are working on Windows 8 compatibility and updated final drivers and software will be out before Windows 8 goes GA in Oct. Only a few more days and then we will see.

Jim :cool:
 

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There is talk that with Technet, a subscriber will get a single key for Windows 8 and that key can be used for unlimited installs, but only 1 activation that becomes tied to that machine and cannot be moved to another machine. This was discussed by Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley in the Windows Weekly Podcast #272 from August 2, 2012.

People shouldn't count on Technet for licensing of their Windows 8 boxes. It sounds like MS is going to really restrict that usage and instead expects people to simply pony up the $40 they are asking.

Well or whatever the "System Builder" costs but yeah.

And uh... ALL windows disks have "unlimited installs" if you don't activate them :/ It really just means "You get one activation with one key". In fact, it sounds like it may in fact be a System Builder version as opposed to the retail versions of Windows 7 you got on Technet.
 

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And uh... ALL windows disks have "unlimited installs" if you don't activate them
Righto. But on Windows 7, you didn't need to input a key period to install. With Windows 8, you need a key to actually get through the installer. That's why I stated it the way that I did.
 

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Silver0066, Spreche Klinna Deutch? Because arvato ONLY does! LoL
Here ya go: arvato: arvatodigitalservices.com go check it out.

Silver006:MasterCard, I have a problem and need you to cancel my payment to Arvato Digital Services, they scammed me. I thought because they are on the internet they were an honest company. Can you please STOP payment to them? MasterCard_Rep: YOU think COMPANIES on the INTERNET are HONEST??? *Sounds of ROARING laughter!* This little stage play was preformed to educate you on the risk of believing EVERYTHING you HEAR! Rule of thumb NEVER believe ANYTHING you HEAR, and only 50% of what you SEE!
 

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There is talk that with Technet, a subscriber will get a single key for Windows 8 and that key can be used for unlimited installs, but only 1 activation that becomes tied to that machine and cannot be moved to another machine. This was discussed by Paul Thurrott and Mary Jo Foley in the Windows Weekly Podcast #272 from August 2, 2012.

People shouldn't count on Technet for licensing of their Windows 8 boxes. It sounds like MS is going to really restrict that usage and instead expects people to simply pony up the $40 they are asking.

Well or whatever the "System Builder" costs but yeah.

And uh... ALL windows disks have "unlimited installs" if you don't activate them :/ It really just means "You get one activation with one key". In fact, it sounds like it may in fact be a System Builder version as opposed to the retail versions of Windows 7 you got on Technet.

I agree, it does sound like a System Builder version since its not an Update version. I have heard no mention of a Full Retail Version other then the System Builder. Rumor that its a Trial version also and may time out after a time. In other versions you get a key that had multiple activations and no time out. Big change in TechNet. Guess it was getting abused. We will see next week.

Jim :cool:
 

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So back to the topic, if we install win 8 pro, and wait for the activation servers to reopen when its on technet (i assume that is when the activation servers reopen), we should be ok?
 

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I don't think you should consider yourself "ok" until the commercial release in October.

The technet version is NOT the normal retail release (any more, it was for Win 7 and earlier, but not for Win 8) and they have been messing with the licensing for all versions big time. There is no way to know (Without possibly throwing away another $70) if it is going to work next wed or not.

In your case, since you already paid for it, your only hope is to wait and see at this point. Since you do have a receipt I would hope that the worst that would happen is that you have to call MS in Oct when it's released officially and get it straightened out. If your lucky it'll fix itself sooner but there is no way to know at this point :/

BTW the news about the technet version being different than normal just came out yesterday since my last post on this thread :(
 

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The version is different - or the key is different?
 

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The version is different - or the key is different?

Well hard to say internally how it works but the upshot is, the outward version of Win 8 to be released in Technet is different from the version of Win 7. Weather that version is triggered by the actualy key itself or a different distribution iso I don't know.

However, the Win 7 (and earlier) releases were FULL retail releases with all the retail perks. The description of the key usage for the technet version of Win 8 is making it sound exactly like an OEM/"System Builder" version this time instead.
 

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Wonders if it was the information that I reiterated from the windows weekly podcast #272 from Aug 2, 2012 where Paul Thurrott says that a partner of Microsoft informed him that Technet would provide a single key for WIndows 8. It could be used 1 time to install and activate. It would be tied to that machine (just like OEM). The key could be used to install on an unlimited # of other machines, but they would not activate without acquiring a standard license through normal retail channels.

Paul says, with the $40 offer for Windows 8, he suspects long gone are the days when you would get lots of free licenses via Technet. Instead, with a very modest price in retail chains for Windows 8, even technet customers would be expected to activate their licenses by purchasing $40 upgrades.

It makes sense, since Technet was "never intented" to be used by home hobbyists to license all of their home computers. It was intended to be used by IT staff for evaluation purposes...later to be rolled out with official licensing.
 

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Yeah that was it...

Well but the $40 is an upgrade price though and it's temporary, you need a previous windows license. So the REAL price is actually whatever the System Builder license costs which I haven't seen anyone guess yet.

If the System Builder license costs no more than $80 then I'd say that they were on the right track.

If they want to slow piracy and push 8 out there fast, they should make the system builder say $50 or /less/. They plan on reaping HUGE ad $$ from this entire line moving forwards, they should reduce the price of admission...
 

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Well but the $40 is an upgrade price though and it's temporary, you need a previous windows license. So the REAL price is actually whatever the System Builder license costs which I haven't seen anyone guess yet.
Yes, and that still is a concern.

If the System Builder license costs no more than $80 then I'd say that they were on the right track.
But like I said, Technet was never intended for home users/hobbyists/enthusiasts to use as a low-cost option for licensing of their everyday use computers. It just wasn't. But that's what people did with it because a single $200 technet subscription provides tons of licenses and software that would cost far, far, far more in retail channels. I've never understood, for the life of me, why Technet costs less than $1,000 a year. When, OEM licenses for Windows 7 Home Premium are nearly $100, and retail closer to $200...why would it make sense for a $200 technet sub to include multiple licenses for everything, with multiple activations and include the server products as well as Office?

Technet was abused, but I don't necessarily blame the people for it (except for those weasles who sold their license keys), I blame MS for keeping license costs so high and selling Technet to anybody including so much for so little.
 

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Well MS themselves said that it was fine for home enthusiasts to use it for personal use at home when questioned directly about it. Several people specifically called them about that several times during the Windows 7 release and then on and they always said that was fair use. It was never strictly spelled out in the TOS if that was ok or not and it left open the interpretation as to the proper use, but when called in person they were always nice about it and said it was ok.

That sort of use was advantageous to them. You WANT the hard core enthusiasts to be all on board with your entire software line up. At $350 up front and $250 a year after that, that's still a LOT of money they are getting for maybe 4-5 windows installs and an office install. They then take that enthusiasm into the work force with them. It helps keep them "on top" etc. Of course people still abused it WELL beyond that (Selling off unused keys etc), but no one I know ever went that far. :/

But with windows 8 that has all completely changed, no more Mr Nice Microsoft (as nice as they ever mustered), It's all business now.

I am reminded of a certain Star Wars quote... Hmmm :)

I just sort of look at it as another nail in the coffin myself. Just one more of 50 or so the way things are going :/
 

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