I have been running a OEM win xp pro version on my computer for over a year now, i purchased it seperate from the hardware as this was my first personal built pc.
I recently decided to reformat my pc, made no changes to and reinstall windows, on attempting to activate it i was refused via the internet and on attempting to call there india call centre came across scripted replys that were to the extent that i had an illegal copy of the software.
now as i've been running this for a 1.5 years with constant update and even passed there genuine article tool i.m at a loss as to the reason. I need to get this active and running can anyone give me advice or assistance

Charlie

Check with MS's Piracy site and double check that your copy is not pirated then call up MS again and tell them what you have checked then get them to re-activate your PC.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/uk/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/default.mspx

The only way around the BS and red-tape at Micro$haft is to lie. Tell them you had to RMA your HDD because it failed, problem solved. They only give you a hassle with OEM versions of Windoze.

Should you upgrade your mobo/HDD/anything that requires re-installing Windoze, you will go through the same hassle everytime, which is BS. Always lie, and all will be well.

Sad situation, but this is how M$ is a facillitator when it comes to w4r3z, they force owners of legitimate copies to use cracks. Can they get any greedier?

Relic
Thanks for the advice it worked, what does this say that tell the truth and no one helps but lie and you get all the help you need.
Talking to someone in India and there working to a script go outside the scripted replys they have and you are screwed.
Stick to something they can recognise and your there. Must make sure that this does not happen again.
Again thanks to both you and PeterH for your help and advice.

Sadly enough, I'm happy to have helped. If Micro$haft just used fair business practices, situations like this would never occur.