Activation is needed even after ghosted the pc

kennteoh · 30 Oct 2014

Hi guys im in need of some activation help.

This is my working scenario.

I am currently creating a master image for my kiosk system for me to deploy to production.

I use Acronis to image and deploy the image across all my kiosk. But after slapping the image across new pc i am required to ask for activation again. Doesn't acronis takes care of every single file?

Acronis 2010 is being use with the os Win7 Professional 32bit.

Is there some activation technology that binds to the serial no of the motherboard?

Layback Bear · 30 Oct 2014

Windows 7 Pro OEM can only legally be installed on the first computer it was installed on.
Yes it is tied to the motherboard.

Windows 7 Pro Retail can only be legally installed on one computer at a time.
The Retail version can be moved from computer to computer as long as it is only on one computer at a time.

I do not know what a kiosk system is.

Now if you want Windows 7 on many computers at the same time that isn't a problem.
Window 7 Enterprise is designed to do just that.

Windows 7 Enterprise

Windows 7 editions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Windows 7 EnterpriseThis edition targeted the enterprise segment of the market and was sold through volume licensing to companies which have a Software Assurance contract with Microsoft.[1] Additional features include support for Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packages, BitLocker Drive Encryption, and UNIX application support.[1] Not available through retail or OEM channels, this edition is distributed through Microsoft Software Assurance (SA).[1] As a result it includes several SA-only benefits, including a license allowing the operating of diskless nodes (diskless PCs) and activation via VLK.[14]

kennteoh · 30 Oct 2014

sorry i cant reveal what kiosk system is this.

But we can put it in a scenario like an office group pc deployment.

the environment for deployment does not have internet access. I will need to come up with a plan for my work to cut this activation issue.

The previous purchaser bought end user pc for this kiosk system instead of embedded system which will also give me group volume licensing to overcome my issue

sigh i guess ill need to buy an internet dongle for site deployment.

Layback Bear · 30 Oct 2014

It sounds like you are trying to side step the legal method of activating your systems.
Why would you want to do this?

Barman58 · 31 Oct 2014

The internet dongle does appear to be the best option for initial activation, there is another issue that may well cause issue in the future. The retail copes of the OS are set to check for activation issues periodically, ( this allows for exploits to be checked for as they are added to the Microsoft database.

It may be best for you to contact your local Microsoft office to see if they can adjust your licensing to more closely meet your business needs, I'm not sure how critical these systems are to the business but Now is the best time to consider this matter, rather than waiting until an issue might arise once they are in production

kennteoh · 31 Oct 2014

yes barman i second that.

phone activation is difficult and a hassle .

online activation is a nono due to the environment we are working at.

could be the bank or government, so yeah. in a difficult position.

We did advice our client to go enterprise or embedded system at least its open license or volume license activation is allowed.

but you know they wont wanna fork out the extra and stick with what they have.

Barman58 · 31 Oct 2014

The way I've always explained this type of expense to the client management is a simple one ...

a Work out the additional cost for "doing things the correct way"
b get the client Work out the potential cost of loss of earnings should the system fail due to the way it's set-up, and then add your costs for an emergency call out to put things right.

you will often find that b>a when you take a day or even an hour of "Down Time"

This seems to get the attention of both the production manager and the chief accountant

kennteoh · 31 Oct 2014

haha yes i'm in the support line. downtime is always a crucial thing, not to forget repair time needed to bring this up.

But i guess my sales/marketing team has failed in this part.

I guess i have to live with it.

We did propose an industrial pc with embedded system that will promise them a good futureproof lifespan of support as long as 15years. But they still decline.