Has anyone had the privelage of calling the Microsoft Activation department yet?

Sucks! Tell them to get the fuck off, you're download just finished ;)

lol. always took me 15 mins or so. never that long. you trying to install on 20 machines? lol

My PC came with Home Premium. I bought the Ultimate Upgrade online back in March. Had to reinstall from the Anytime Upgrade last weekend. During the install, it asks "What version to install", so naturally, I chose "Ultimate", since that's what I paid for.

Got everything all setup and working, went to activate, and the license installer gave me an error that says it won't work with this version of Windows.

So, I call. Turns out... If you UPGRADE from Premium (or any Home version) to Ultimate... You HAVE to reinstall that way. Install Home Premium... Then Upgrade to Ultimate. (Totally rediculous, and I'm guessing this is so they can track who upgraded and who bought outright), but regardless, the cost is the same. Home Premium $ + Vista Ultimate Upgrade $ == Full Vista Ultimate $. The install and key / license should work on ANY Ultimate install, regardless of if it's an upgrade or not. LOL

So 1.5 hours and 8 Reps later, they generated a new product key, so far it works. We'll see next time I have to reinstall (shouldn't be too long).

So TIP: If you bought an Upgrade... Be prepared to spend a lot of time on the phone to get it resolved if you ever have to reinstall.

http://www.apple.com

last time I called apple I was done and had a new computer within 4 min... give or take 5 min

I've had to call twice changing specs around on machines... was thankfully always nice and painless for me.

Took me 10 minutes... seems they don't like you for some reason.

i bets its a long distance call, and they charge you as well.

companies that make you call long distance, like godaddy are evil, funny they can afford a superbowl commmercial, but not a toll free number

uhm.. I've done that a number of times.. I just call and get an automatic system, enter in the codes, get a new one.. takes 2 minutes tops..

windows sucks more than ever!

After 90 minutes on hold when they answer, you should tell them thanks for answering but during the 90 minutes you put me on hold I was able to download the entire Microsoft Library of products from BitTorrent.
WG