I have a handful of retail Windows XP and Vista licenses that I regularly migrate between machines for testing purposes. As a result, I get to experience Windows Product Activation more than the average person, and I regularly have to use the activate-by-phone option when the Internet activation servers detect that my product ID appears to be in use already.
This week I refurbished an 18-month-old machine to get it ready for sale, using its original OEM-supplied copy of Windows Vista Home Premium. That freed up the license for the retail copy of Vista Ultimate that had previously been installed on that machine, which I then used to upgrade a notebook. (Still with me?)
Needless to say, Microsoft’s activation servers rejected my online attempt and prompted me to phone in. This time, however, the procedure was a little different from usual. Instead of being connected to an operator in India, I was able to complete the entire activation process using the automated system. Along the way, I learned a couple of tricks that might help you get through the process a little quicker.
I dialed the toll-free number as usual, listened to a spiel from the automated attendant, entered the installation ID (nine groups of six digits) from the Activation dialog box, and got the unsurprising message that I couldn’t be automatically activated. Previously, this would have meant waiting while I was transferred to a live operator, who would ask me a few questions to verify that I wasn’t trying to install the copy on a second machine in violation of the license terms, after which the voice on the other end would read me the numbers to enter in the Activation dialog box. This time, the automated attendant asked me a single question: How many computers is this copy of Windows Vista installed on. I said, “One,” and the automated attendant then proceeded to read the confirmation ID to me. In all, the process was probably 30 seconds faster than the old routine.
For those who’ve never seen it before, here’s what the Vista phone activation dialog box looks like (the numbers are in the right format but don’t represent an actual set of IDs):
If you find yourself in this situation, here’s how to save a few seconds and make the process work smoother:
1. Use a headset or a speakerphone, if possible. That makes it easier to punch keys on the keypad.
2. Use the telephone keypad to enter the installation ID. The voice on the other end will accept voice input, but I’ve always had better luck tapping the keys.
3. The automated attendant is programmed to give a variety of cheery messages in between the groups of digits you enter. If you entered the numbers correctly, you’ll hear a “ding!” If the system didn’t register your numbers correctly or you punched the keys wrong, you’ll hear, “I didn’t catch that” or “Let’s try again,” giving you a chance to re-enter the 6-digit group. If you hear that ding, you don’t need to wait for the next prompt (typically something like “OK, now enter the fourth group”); just begin entering the next group of digits. Continue that way until you’ve had all nine successfully confirmed.
4. When the system is ready to begin giving you the characters to enter in the confirmation ID boxes (eight groups of six digits), use the keypad. After each group, you’ll be prompted to say “back up” or “continue.” Forget about that. Instead, press 2 to confirm that you entered the numbers correctly or 1 if you want to hear the previous group again.
Normally, this process takes about six minutes. This time around, I was able to complete the whole activation sequence in just over five minutes.
If you’ve used the phone activation process recently, I’m curious about your experience. How did it go for you?
I stumbled across this interesting and 
Ed Bott 