Validating Windows by Phone

[Hammer]

I recently reinstalled windows 7 from scratch on my Dell laptop using the key provided on the sticker on the bottom. Everything went fine and I happily used it for a week or so when it decided that the key was not valid. I had to activate by phone which basically involved typing in a code displayed by windows into my phone, and getting another code to type back into windows. All automated. All went fine and I’m now genuine again.

The question is, why? What does this prove? Either my key is not genuine, in which case why did MS give me another one no questions asked, or it is genuine in which case why did I have to jump through those hoops?

[rojash]

It's not so much about genuine/non-genuine, it's designed to discourage multiple-installs.

[Mobius1]

What rojash said. The code it generates will be a cryptic way of sending data to Microsoft about specific bits of hardware such as the CPU and motherboard. This was, if it's installed in a different system they'll know it. As long as the same license isn't being used in more than one system it shouldn't make any difference and won't cause you any problems.

[Hammer]

Thanks guys

[Hammer]

Thanks guys