So, Windows XP was released almost 20 years ago.
And back then, they manufactured specific XP versions for certain OEMs (for instance, DELL or IBM).
[Startup sound]
What's so special about those versions?
Well...
One thing is the fact they contain automatically deployed OEM software and additions.
But, more importantly, they have an additional, quite peculiar way of activating the product.
Activation via a telephone.
Windows XP is long dead, but can you still activate it, EVEN after almost 20 years since its release, and more than 7 since its end of life?
I watched a video like that a few years ago and I thought it was a great concept.
How long will Windows XP actually last? Let's find out together.
The whole idea behind this is to call up a number, connect to a Microsoft representative (which now is a bot...
...I assume that's why this activation method still lasts to this day) and tell them 9 numbers shown on your screen, to which you'll get another 9 numbers back.
That should activate your copy of Windows XP. To be honest, I find it incredibly cool.
Since I will be calling overseas to the number in United States for your viewing pleasure (I myself am from Russia), this thing will cost me a penny.
But, it's for content - so it's all fine.
Well, let's begin? I don't think it should be that difficult, right?
[The toll-free number you have dialed is not operated from outside the United States.] I don't care. [You will be charged at international direct dial rate] I don't care.
[If you do not wish to be charged, please hang up now.]
[Welcome to Microsoft product activation center.]
[Pour continuer en français, appuyez sur le 2.]
Is this Chinese?
[To help us improve the quality of our products, services and training, this call will be recorded or monitored and information collected on this call may be accessed by Microsoft affiliates, subsidies and service providers international.]
[To consent the recording or monitoring of this call, press 1. Or, to continue without recording or... Thank you! This call may be recorded or monitored.]
[For security purposes, please enter the following number on your phone's touch tone pad. Eight. Two.]
[Sorry, that didn't match.] What? [Let's try again. Enter the following number on your phone's touch tone pad. Eight. Two.]
[That still didn't match. Enter the following number on your phone's touch tone pad. Eight. Two.]
[Unfortunately, we are unable to verify you.]
*Audible intimidation* [Please call back and try again.]
Scam.
Yeah, I got kind of stuck on a verification procedure.
At first, I thought that I was simply a Russian not understanding English words correctly. [Sorry, that didn't match.] Which sometimes is a problem, especially when listening to a phone speaker.
[Seven. Five. Three.]
[That still didn't match. Unfortunately, we are unable to verify you. Please call back and try again.] What are you talking about, that's a scam!
But eventually I realized that I was typing the number they were telling me too quickly. Nothing ever goes to plan - I wasted a few USA minutes worth of balance.
But no big deal, let's continue.
[...please hang up now. For security purposes, please enter the following number on your phone's touch tone pad. One. One. Five.]
[Thank you. Welcome to Microsoft product activation. Now, which type of product would you like to activate? Pleeease, saaay.]
Windows. ["Windows", "Off...]
[Sorry, I didn't understand. Technically speaking, which type of product are you talking about? Please say "Windows", "Office" or say something else.]
Windows.
[Okay, Windows.]
[Are you at your computer with the activation screen open? Please say "yes" or "no".] Yes.
[Sorry, I didn't understand.] *Giggles* [Do you have the activation screen open? Please say "yes" or "no".] YES.
[To save your time and effort (?), we can activate your product using your smartphone display instead of our audio self-run system. You can start it.]
[I'll send a text message to your smartphone. Carrier text & data rates may apply.]
[First, are you calling from a smartphone?] No.
In fact, I wasted even more time, because their system refuses to send out text messages, no matter how hard I tried.
No.
That's sad, but alright. I just answered "no" to both of these questions there.
[Okay, now take a look at your screen. I'll ask you for the installation ID. The installation ID is a long number, broken into several words.]
[I will ask you for one card at a time. Please say or enter the digits in word 1.]
Mhh, it's gonna be difficult.
3-1-9, 9-4-1.
[Alrighty. Word 2.]
8-6-3, 6-0-0.
[Okay. Now word 3.]
8-9-8, 1-2-3.
[And now, word 4.]
6-2-5, 4-9-4.
[Alright. Word 5.]
2-2-1, 5-9-5.
[Okay. Now, word 6.]
3-7-9, 3-4-1.
[Sorry, that didn't seem to be a valid word digit. Please enter or say the sixth proper digit. You could also say "Start over" or say "I'm lost", and I'll help you find your place.]
3 - 7 - 9 , 3 - 4 - 1.
[Let's try once more. Please enter the sixth proper digit on your phone keypad.]
Oh, enter, okay. That's good.
[That still doesn't seem to be a valid word digit.] *Gasp*
[I can transfer you to our representative, but you'll have to start the activation process again. It may actually be faster to let me finish off for you.]
[Please say "Transfer me anyway" or "Let's continue".]
Let's continue.
[Okay. Now, word 6.]
3 - 7 - 9 , 3 - 4 - 1.
[Alright. Word 7.]
Heck yeah.
0-2-8, 6-8-4.
[Okay, now word 8.]
1-4-3, 7-1-6.
[Alright. And finally, what's the last word?]
8-5-4, 3-0-0.
[Got it. Thanks. One moment, please, I'll look it up.]
*Relief*
[Verified. Now, I'll read the confirmation ID. You'll need to use your keyboard to enter in the empty blocks at the bottom of your activation window.]
[As I read each 6-digit word, I'll say which one to go in. Now, use your mouse and position the cursor in block A.]
[Once I read the entire confirmation ID back, you'll have a chance to hear it again. You could also say "Repeat" to hear that block again. Are you ready to get started?]
Yes.
[Block A is...]
[Zero. Seven. Nine. Two. Eight. Zero.]
I suck. (oh my god) This couldn't get any worse. I was flabbergasted by how (REPEAT) quick it started talking, I even skipped the B number.
But I started typing at the C part, so that's fine, I guess.
[Block C is...]
[Seven. Two. Four. Six. Five. Four.]
Got this one.
[Block D is...]
[Seven. One. Seven. Six. Two. Two.]
[Block E is...]
[Seven. Six. Two. Eight. Nine. Four.]
[Block F is...]
[Three. Five. Eight. One. Two. Four.]
[Block G is...]
[Eight. Two. Two. Three. One. Zero.]
[To return to very first block, say "Start over". If you've finished entering the digits for all the blocks, say "I'm finished".]
Start over.
[Block A is...]
[Zero. Seven. Nine. Two. Eight. Zero.]
[Block B is...]
[Two. Zero. Three. Nine. One. Three.]
For some reason I thought I had to type in a all these numbers for confirmation.
Everything was in shambles at that point, but I figured it was pretty dumb, since the bot on the other side was breaking. Like, listen to it!
[Poor robot being destroyed by a Russian inaudible noises.]
Wait. Does it even matter?
[Eight. Zero.]
Let's try clicking Next and see what happens.
[Two. Zero. Three.]
Oh, it's done!
Yeww, I'm finished! I don't need it.
Well, that was pretty exhilarating.
That's pretty cool.
Well, the proof is in the pudding. We have successfully activated Windows XP using a telephone. How long will that last? I think it will run for another decade just fine.
Comment down below what you think. And with that, thanks for watching!
Music: Tom & Jerry in War of the Whiskers OST. "That Sinking Feline". Outro: "A Fridge Too Far".