VM Ware Fusion - Reactivating Windows Constantly
I have the trial for VMWare Fusion, and I'm interested in it for two reasons:
1) I want to use Linux VMs to learn more about programming and Apache/PHP/Python admin stuff.
2) I have a BootCamp partition of XP, and it's lame to have to restart just to do one or two tiny things, but I don't want to move to fully virtualized because I play games occasionally.
My problem is that when I run Windows in a VM and then run it in BootCamp, I have to reactivate it constantly. This has happened like three times so far (it claims the hardware is changing), and calling in and repeating 30 numbers to a robot and typing 20 back in is annoying, taking 5-10 minutes. I'm also worried that they'll eventually stop letting me activate.
Is there a workaround to this problem? Obviously there are about 8000 pirate tools that let you skip activation, but I've got a legitimate system here and I don't want to stoop to piracy for something I paid money for.
1) I want to use Linux VMs to learn more about programming and Apache/PHP/Python admin stuff.
2) I have a BootCamp partition of XP, and it's lame to have to restart just to do one or two tiny things, but I don't want to move to fully virtualized because I play games occasionally.
My problem is that when I run Windows in a VM and then run it in BootCamp, I have to reactivate it constantly. This has happened like three times so far (it claims the hardware is changing), and calling in and repeating 30 numbers to a robot and typing 20 back in is annoying, taking 5-10 minutes. I'm also worried that they'll eventually stop letting me activate.
Is there a workaround to this problem? Obviously there are about 8000 pirate tools that let you skip activation, but I've got a legitimate system here and I don't want to stoop to piracy for something I paid money for.
Comments
I have the trial for VMWare Fusion, and I'm interested in it for two reasons:
1) I want to use Linux VMs to learn more about programming and Apache/PHP/Python admin stuff.
2) I have a BootCamp partition of XP, and it's lame to have to restart just to do one or two tiny things, but I don't want to move to fully virtualized because I play games occasionally.
My problem is that when I run Windows in a VM and then run it in BootCamp, I have to reactivate it constantly. This has happened like three times so far (it claims the hardware is changing), and calling in and repeating 30 numbers to a robot and typing 20 back in is annoying, taking 5-10 minutes. I'm also worried that they'll eventually stop letting me activate.
Is there a workaround to this problem? Obviously there are about 8000 pirate tools that let you skip activation, but I've got a legitimate system here and I don't want to stoop to piracy for something I paid money for.
Short of piracy, a legitimately gotten corporate copy of XP, or buying another XP copy to run on a VMWare image (not the Bootcamp partition, you need the original XP for that) there isn't a damn thing you can do about it. MS wants it this way, explicitly. And yes in another couple reset attempts they will try to refuse your reactivation. Been there done that, lucky to have legal corporate software to fall back on.
T
Short of piracy, a legitimately gotten corporate copy of XP, or buying another XP copy to run on a VMWare image (not the Bootcamp partition, you need the original XP for that) there isn't a damn thing you can do about it. MS wants it this way, explicitly. And yes in another couple reset attempts they will try to refuse your reactivation. Been there done that, lucky to have legal corporate software to fall back on.
T
This is what I freaking hate about Windows. I want to use my copy of Windows XP that I paid like $200 for on one computer with one user, and I freaking can't! If they refuse reactivation, I'm seriously going to sue them in small claims court.
Does it strike anyone as ridiculous that in order to do something completely legal, I have to download a piracy tool? And now I've got to go freaking find one that isn't infested with spyware, or else find instructions and hack it myself. I mean, this is a giant freaking pain in the ass.
I'm so relieved that Linux (which I plan to install in similar fashion) isn't doing the same thing. I can have as many installs of Linux on my computer as I need, and can virtualize it at will.
I have the trial for VMWare Fusion, and I'm interested in it for two reasons:
1) I want to use Linux VMs to learn more about programming and Apache/PHP/Python admin stuff.
2) I have a BootCamp partition of XP, and it's lame to have to restart just to do one or two tiny things, but I don't want to move to fully virtualized because I play games occasionally.
My problem is that when I run Windows in a VM and then run it in BootCamp, I have to reactivate it constantly. This has happened like three times so far (it claims the hardware is changing), and calling in and repeating 30 numbers to a robot and typing 20 back in is annoying, taking 5-10 minutes. I'm also worried that they'll eventually stop letting me activate.
Is there a workaround to this problem? Obviously there are about 8000 pirate tools that let you skip activation, but I've got a legitimate system here and I don't want to stoop to piracy for something I paid money for.
VMware says that you can do this:
1. Install XP on Bootcamp
2. Activate XP on Bootcamp
3. Load Boot Camp XP via VMWare Fusion
4. Install VMWare Tools and restart
5. Activate Boot Camp XP on VMWare Fusion
VMware says that you can do this:
1. Install XP on Bootcamp
2. Activate XP on Bootcamp
3. Load Boot Camp XP via VMWare Fusion
4. Install VMWare Tools and restart
5. Activate Boot Camp XP on VMWare Fusion
Thanks, I will definitely try that when I get back to my apartment on Thursday, and I'll let you know how it goes.