Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win95.general.discussion (
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MS no longer supports Windows 95. And if it came with her computer it was
probably OEM and MS never supported OEM OS's. Only the computer
manufacturer supported these and she should call them.
You, too, make it hard for the rest of us with this attitude. Because
people don't put their registrations numbers in a safe place or record them
in a special notebook, they think you can "get a free number" online. Many
of these numbers are stolen or fake and many of these people requesting them
have copied or pirated software.
I am not taking up for MS but for all of us out there who, now, have to
activate software. The activation wasn't to protect MS from pirates but
from ordinary folks who "give" copies to friends and neighbors.
As for your friend, she can get a copy of Win95 on ebay with a legitimate
number for around $15.00. I am sorry she lost her number but tell her write
them in a little book, like some of us do out here. Also, it is printed on
the little book that came with W95, the certificate of authenticity label on
the front. It would be better if she purchased W98SE.
This is just the way that I feel. I lose things, too, but not something
like this. I am fussing because of the annoyance that this practice has
caused.
"lostinspace" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6202ED7D-0D99-403B-957F-A3CB6B2603CE@microsoft.com...
> Mouseyface,
>
> You raise an interesting point. I also am looking for a "certificate of
authenticity" number so that I can re-install Windows 95 on a friend's
computer. When I attempted to re-install without the number, I was prompted
onscreen to call 1-800-RU-LEGIT. After waiting for about 5 minutes and
navigating the voicemail, I was referred to another number, which asked for
a 4-digit code, which I do not have. So I took Bill Starbuck's advice and
called 1-800-Microsoft. They in turn passed me off to yet another number, a
(425) area code number. Well, after waiting another 10 minutes on hold I had
to go to work. I won't even tell you number of emails we sent without
receiving anything more than the automated "We received your email"
response.
>
> My point is this: My friend bought her computer and paid for Windows 95.
Like many people, she lost something. Should it be this difficult to find
out her certificate number? Personally, I don't think so. So I'll take
sc57's numbers and say thanks very much to sc57 for helping my friend get
her computer running again. While I understand licensing issues, it's things
like this that make people critical of Microsoft and question their business
practices.
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