Multiple activations of the same copy due to many new builds using the same HDD/OS. Even with the retail version they limit how many times you can use a code. That's when you need a phone.

Now. with W7, you need to be online.

I don't think it was a message.

It's an expansion package for a game and his intent is that I will mod out a playable game for us both to play (unmodded game was junk, hence why I never bought the expansion). Unfortunately the clever publisher used an expansion implementation that made life difficult for modders (basically they would have to have two complete installations one with expansion and one without to produce no expansion required mods even if the mod doesn't actually use any content from the expansion) so most current generation mods require the expansion.

We have both acknowledged that this is 'foul play' that forces purchase of a bad expansion to a bad game...but the modded game is a gem. We bit the bullet and took the loss in stride, then bit another bullet when it ended up as a digital only purchase. Win some, lose some.

Hm... Interesting. Never had issues myself though with Windows 7 Ultimate... No internet connection and all.