Microsoft Windows Activation

I had to reactivate my Windows Vista last night, and I tell you, that is such a pain in the butt. I have to vent my frustration.

With Windows XP, I could activate the same serial a few times successfully. However, they have taken away that leeway. As soon as you replace enough hardware to require a reactivation, the online activation fails. So I had to call Microsoft. This process is only made more difficult by the thick English accent that the support reps have. I had a very hard time understanding them. One I spoke with asked for my first name, I replied, "Eric." He then asks, "George?" Apparently, they have a hard time understanding me, too.

All in all, it only took about 10 minutes of phone time to get it done, but here is what I don't understand: If I really were to install Vista on a different computer, and then call them, they ask if it is installed on any other computers. If I lie and tell them no, they have no idea. If that is the case, why make me talk to a person that I can barely understand? Why not have a form online I can use to do this? Are people less likely to lie to a person than to an online form? In my opinion, someone is going to lie either way. At least make it less of a hassle for the honest, legitimate users who simply replace hardware.