[VISTA] Windows Experience Index- Unrated

sender · 28th June 2009, 4:10 PM

Several people have phoned to say that after installing Vista SP2 that the
Windows Experience Index is greyed out and indicates that it is Unrated.

When they go to rerate the WEI there is an orange exclamation mark to the left that says "New Hardware Found"

One is a laptop and the others are PC's, no new hardware has been added.

I just checked on my PC and the same occurs.

I have not added any hardware.

We are all running Vista Ultimate OEM versions.

Two of the people have rerated the WEI and now their Vista has been disabled.

I'm not game to rerate the WEI as I don't want my OEM vista disabled.

Microsoft say that they have added new hardware or are trying to activate their OEM's on different PC's.(Bullshit)

Anyone else seen this?

Thanks

Catweazle · 29th June 2009, 10:31 AM

Point 1:

WEI is about the most useless inclusion EVER in a Windows OS, so why people want to use it is beyond me. It's not supposed to do anything other than report a 'rating' which somehow emonstrates what software programs will run on the rig, and since software programs usually don't even mention it on the packaging it's kinda a waste of time and effort.

I usually let it run during the install (because you can't really avoid it) and then forget about it. Only time I ever even LOOK at it after that is when I see a question like this and get curious about the answer!

Point 2:

In my experienced, gained over time and in interaction with many people, if Windows has deactivated owing to 'hardware changes' and the user reports that no hardware changes have occurred, it'll be the user who is wrong!

Wrong because the user will most likely be referring to not having physically added or removed components to/from the system, when the physical act of insertion or removal isn't even what Windows is reporting. Windows is referring to the detection and installation of components within the Windows installation.

Fiddle about in BIOS enabling or disabling devices, reset CMKOS and then reconfigure to get stuff working again, uninstall devices and delete the drivers, and then have it redetected again afterwards. All that kinda stuff is "hardware changes" to the Windows installation. Sometimes it can generate de-activation of the Windows install.

Point 3:

Running the WEI rating alone shouldn't impact on activation. If the Windows install has deactivated it's probably because of something else.

Point 4:

If Windows does deactivate then at worst it's only a rather simple phone call needed to get it up and running again.

Point 5:

If automatic internet activation fails that does not mean Windows is kaput. Try telephone activation instead. If automatic telephone activation also fails, that still doesn't mean Windows is kaput. Listen to the options given afterwards, because the option to speak with an activation center person will be given.

Point 6:

The process of manually activating via speaking to an activation center person is usually quite painless, with only simple questions being asked. It's generally not refused unless the person calling sounds 'suspicious', and that usually only comes from the caller being evasive, or misreporting the scenario, or waffling on with a whole heap of unnecessary excuses etc etc. And even if it's refused you can then politely insist on speaking with the staff member's supervisor to have the decision reconsidered.

If nothing improper has occurred and you still end up refused activation, it'll almost certainly be because of the manner in which the caller conducted himself/herself during the call.

By the way. I've just checked on a couple of boxes here which have recently been redone and had SP2 applied to them. WEI was reporting unrated on those, with the same 'Found new hardware' message. Running the rating again did not impact on activation status in any way whatsoever, on those boxes!

terrastrife · 29th June 2009, 11:30 AM

I run 2 vista boxes, ones retail ones oem, both are now SP2. both came up unrated as youd expect as new drivers = new hardware in the eyes of windows (mainly chipset drivers). no issues with activation.

It may just be youve hit the OEM limit of activation which is twice within 6 (or 12) months or so. Time to call up, its all automated tehsedays and effortless.

Catweazle · 29th June 2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrastrife

Time to call up, its all automated tehsedays and effortless.

Most times, if automatic internet activation fails then automatic telephone activation will ALSO fail.

You need to listen to the options given at the end of the call, and press the handset button which relates to the option to speak with somebody if you disagree with the decision. (Sorry. Offhand I can't recall which number that is.)

sender · 29th June 2009, 12:52 PM

Thanks guys for your replies.
Yeah, WEI is a useless tool, it's just an indicator.

I've never looked at it in over two years.

It was just as I said some mates called and asked me to look at the WEI on my PC to see if the " new hardware" message was on mine as well after SP2 install.

MS could have downloaded some newer drivers(updates), and the OS thinks new hardware has been added.

Thanks again
sender

28th June 2009, 4:10 PM	#1
sender (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 280	Windows Experience Index- Unrated Several people have phoned to say that after installing Vista SP2 that the Windows Experience Index is greyed out and indicates that it is Unrated. When they go to rerate the WEI there is an orange exclamation mark to the left that says "New Hardware Found" One is a laptop and the others are PC's, no new hardware has been added. I just checked on my PC and the same occurs. I have not added any hardware. We are all running Vista Ultimate OEM versions. Two of the people have rerated the WEI and now their Vista has been disabled. I'm not game to rerate the WEI as I don't want my OEM vista disabled. Microsoft say that they have added new hardware or are trying to activate their OEM's on different PC's.(Bullshit) Anyone else seen this? Thanks

29th June 2009, 10:31 AM	#2
Catweazle Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sale, Vic. Posts: 1,105	Point 1: WEI is about the most useless inclusion EVER in a Windows OS, so why people want to use it is beyond me. It's not supposed to do anything other than report a 'rating' which somehow emonstrates what software programs will run on the rig, and since software programs usually don't even mention it on the packaging it's kinda a waste of time and effort. I usually let it run during the install (because you can't really avoid it) and then forget about it. Only time I ever even LOOK at it after that is when I see a question like this and get curious about the answer! Point 2: In my experienced, gained over time and in interaction with many people, if Windows has deactivated owing to 'hardware changes' and the user reports that no hardware changes have occurred, it'll be the user who is wrong! Wrong because the user will most likely be referring to not having physically added or removed components to/from the system, when the physical act of insertion or removal isn't even what Windows is reporting. Windows is referring to the detection and installation of components within the Windows installation. Fiddle about in BIOS enabling or disabling devices, reset CMKOS and then reconfigure to get stuff working again, uninstall devices and delete the drivers, and then have it redetected again afterwards. All that kinda stuff is "hardware changes" to the Windows installation. Sometimes it can generate de-activation of the Windows install. Point 3: Running the WEI rating alone shouldn't impact on activation. If the Windows install has deactivated it's probably because of something else. Point 4: If Windows does deactivate then at worst it's only a rather simple phone call needed to get it up and running again. Point 5: If automatic internet activation fails that does not mean Windows is kaput. Try telephone activation instead. If automatic telephone activation also fails, that still doesn't mean Windows is kaput. Listen to the options given afterwards, because the option to speak with an activation center person will be given. Point 6: The process of manually activating via speaking to an activation center person is usually quite painless, with only simple questions being asked. It's generally not refused unless the person calling sounds 'suspicious', and that usually only comes from the caller being evasive, or misreporting the scenario, or waffling on with a whole heap of unnecessary excuses etc etc. And even if it's refused you can then politely insist on speaking with the staff member's supervisor to have the decision reconsidered. If nothing improper has occurred and you still end up refused activation, it'll almost certainly be because of the manner in which the caller conducted himself/herself during the call. By the way. I've just checked on a couple of boxes here which have recently been redone and had SP2 applied to them. WEI was reporting unrated on those, with the same 'Found new hardware' message. Running the rating again did not impact on activation status in any way whatsoever, on those boxes!

29th June 2009, 11:30 AM	#3
terrastrife Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ADL/SA The Monopoly State Posts: 16,022	I run 2 vista boxes, ones retail ones oem, both are now SP2. both came up unrated as youd expect as new drivers = new hardware in the eyes of windows (mainly chipset drivers). no issues with activation. It may just be youve hit the OEM limit of activation which is twice within 6 (or 12) months or so. Time to call up, its all automated tehsedays and effortless.

29th June 2009, 12:52 PM	#5
sender (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 280	Thanks guys for your replies. Yeah, WEI is a useless tool, it's just an indicator. I've never looked at it in over two years. It was just as I said some mates called and asked me to look at the WEI on my PC to see if the " new hardware" message was on mine as well after SP2 install. MS could have downloaded some newer drivers(updates), and the OS thinks new hardware has been added. Thanks again sender