Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional & Microsoft Reader Activation

[James]

There is another thread on here about this but I think it is time to start
one with a slightly different approach.

I just spent an hour plus on the phone with Microsoft Support. The result
of all that time was that Microsoft Reader is not supported on WM 6.1, only
on WM 6.0. After asking to have my call escalated to a higher level, I was
allowed to talk to a senior support representative who echoed the same
information.

I asked for an email address where my concerns could be heard. Although, I
did not get an email address I was told my issue would be forwarded to
someone with authority to respond with details and I would be emailed a
response.

This is what I asked for. We, and I say we as I feel I can speak for all of
us WM 6.1 users that have a desire to continue to use Microsoft Reader, want
to know if and when the Activation issue with WM 6.1 and Reader will be
fixed. It is as simple as that.

I clearly stated that we need one of two responses, either tell us that
Reader will not be supported on WM 6.1 devices and beyond or give us a date
when the problem will be fixed. To ignore the problem is not acceptable and
only exacerbates the issue.

Microsoft, if you are listening, consider the following:

- This problem is very frustrating as all steps _seem_ to work just fine
but the product will just _not_ activate
- We are not going to downgrade our devices to be able to use Reader
- In fact some of us acquired WM 6.1 on the device we purchased, we did not
upgrade
- The community of WM users is not going to become WM 6.0 and below
stronger but the other way around, as time marches on there will be an even
greater number of WM 6.1 devices and fewer WM 6.0 and below devices
- We did not create either WM 6.1 or Microsoft Reader - You did Microsoft
- This is not an issue of a third party application – You, Microsoft,
developed both applications
- Many of us have invested literally thousands of dollars in eBooks to be
read on Microsoft Reader and only Microsoft Reader - It is grossly unfair to
render that investment null and void
- It is very close to the time when the vendors of Microsoft Reader
compatible eBooks should be made aware of this unfortunate situation
- If there will be no support for WM 6.1 and Reader then tell us that so we
can move on and convert our libraries and find another reader platform
- Checking the dates on the other post, this has been going on for over 3
months now

By the way this post on the Reader Download page is somewhat misleading and
should be updated:

"Attention Pocket PC 2003, Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition, and Windows Mobile
5.0 Users: Please note that we have recently posted an update of the Pocket
PC/Pocket PC Phone Edition version of Microsoft Reader. This update addresses
activation problems experienced by the users of some Windows Mobile 5.0 Phone
Edition devices. In addition we have made it easier to use Microsoft Reader
with device storage cards."

Since this is similar to the WM 6.1 issue the tendency for some is to assume
that WM 6.1 should be part of that statement. Also, the phrase "...we have
recently posted an update of the Pocket PC/Pocket PC Phone Edition version of
Microsoft Reader." tends to cause one to wonder where has this been posted
and it is talked about as if it is a separate 'update'. Please clear this up
for all of us, tell us what version has this fix and clearly state that it
does not include WM 6.1. Keep us informed so as not to waste our time and
then we won't waste your time.

In closing, I do not think any of us are unreasonable to expect accurate,
timely information on this issue. In the grand scheme of things in the
world, this is minor but it’s like a sliver, it just keeps on hurting and
distracting until it’s dug out. Microsoft, fix this issue so we can all move
on to other, bigger and better things.

Thank you

PS – I encourage all to post their attempts with Microsoft on this issue,
the stories should be interesting. I will post any information I get as soon
as I receive it. Microsoft, surprise us and post something of real value
here too.

A very frustrated Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional user

[Lowery@discussions.microsoft.com Gwen Lowery]

Thank you! I couldn't have said it better and share every one of your
frustrations, as I've been trying since I updated to 6.1 to activate and have
also attempted to get SOMETHING/ANYTHING out of the support group. Please
Microsoft, tell us something!

[Wynne]

Well said. I just want to be added to the list of annoyed people.

[E. Ho@discussions.microsoft.com A. E. Ho]

I'm another person who is frustrated and upset that I can't read books that I
own on my Microsoft Mobile 6.1 device. It's ridiculous that both programs
are developed by Microsoft but no one can be bothered to take the time to
ensure that MS Reader can be activated properly.

[RickH]

I just installed Reader 2.41 on my Fuze, running 6.1
You have to install the app and the activation file on the phone, not
the memory card.
It seems to have activated and work OK except for the touch screen
navigation, which I hope will be fixed eventually..at least in English
it works. Prob fine for any Western character set.

[Amos]

Just found a way to use microsoft reader on my samsung omnia with windows
mobile 6.1. Ijust changed the devices owner information. In the owners name
box I changed from my name to my hotmail address and to my astonishment I
could open secure books without a problem. The opening page to the reader
still says it is not activated even when reactivated after the name change
but it works (so far) and I have alot invested in the reader with a ton of
books that I have purchased over the last few years.

[Bill]

Good catch, Amos. Using my hotmail address worked to get Reader to activate
on my Omnia as well. (If this is Microsoft's way of getting people to sign up
for hotmail, they're going about it in a funny way.) Unfortunately, Reader
only works up to the point of actually opening a book. Then it crashes. It
shows the books in My Library, but won't open them. Have you had any luck
opening books?

[Zachary]

read your post, thanks 4 the heads up, i have an axim x51v wm5 and a TON of
medical books and pleasure reading books, was going 2 upgrade 2 the omnia but
looks like that would b a disaster, NEED the reader

[PettyDon]

My LG Incite allows me to install Reader and read "free" e-books. However, I
am unable to activate it so I can read the books/textbooks I've PAID to
read...

When I go through the steps in the Windows Vista activation for mobile 6.1,
Vista SAYS it is activated...

The phone does not get the message...

This was one of the main reasons I bought this phone - I spend a log of time
reading/working/traveling.

Very disappointing.

[Kat]

I have an HTC Touch Diamond running Mobile 6.1. When I activated it, both the
phone and the computer said the activation was successful. However; when I
opened Reader, it said it still had not been activated.

[demingy]

I also have a Fuze running 6.1. I've installed Reader 2.4.1 and the
activation files on my phone, but when I open Reader it says it's not
activated even though both my computer & my Fuze said activation was
successful.

[Anthony]

Ditto, same problem on HTC Fuze with Windows Mobile 6.1... Would love to be
able to continue using my ebook library. Have had this issue with every new
WM device I have purchased. With the kindle and iphone taking off you would
think that this program would get more attention...
Anthony

[Todd Allcock]

I hope this post will help some of you frustrated with Reader on modern
Windows Mobile devices. This won't fix the VGA display issues, but might
workaround the activation issues for some.

I posted the following earlier this month on
microsoft.public.pocketpc.ebooks (the full thread is here:
<http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.pocketpc.ebooks/browse_th
read/thread/f0ba27372eb988d2/4f9aed62895a519a?>

'I have never managed to get Reader activated on any of my WM5 or WM6
devices.  I eventually gave up and used ConvertLit
(http://convertlit.com/)
to strip the DRM off of my eBooks.  (Before anyone gets upset, ConvertLit,

while probably illegal in the USA by the "letter of the law," conforms to
the "spirit of the law."  It can only strip the DRM off of eBooks
registered
to _your_ account, by using the license on your activated PC.  It can't
willy-nilly break Reader's encryption of any book.  I liken it to
burning a
DRM'd iTunes song you purchased to a CD in order to rip it to WMA to also
play on your Zune.  It's just a tool.  Properly conforming to copyright
fair-use principles by not sharing the unencrypted copy is now up to
you.)
Once stripped, the books will open on an unactivated/not properly
activated
copy of reader, solving your problem.'

I hope this helps some of you, at least until a "real" solution comes
along.

[Shane Nokes]

Todd, the big problem there is that I've found it often strips the
formatting as well.

I tried that utility a few times just to see how well it worked when I had
this issue with my last phone (before they updated it for WinMo5) and it
just made a mess of things.

I mentioned in another post up in the same place you posted (the
pocketpc.ebooks area) that I just finally said to heck with it and switched
to the Kindle.

Since it has a locked in user ID I never have to worry about this activation
garbage and I can just know the books will be there working no matter what.

"Todd Allcock" <elecc...@aNOoSPAMl.com> wrote in message
news:Wx4Sl.77330$i24....@newsfe14.iad...

[Todd Allcock]

I'm surprised you had trouble- I've stripped the DRM off of about a dozen
books and haven't had any formatting issues. Were these books of yours
technical in nature with lots of charts, graphs, etc? (Mine were mostly
straight fiction with few or no illustrations. One was non-fiction with
a few tables which survived unchanged.)

As to the Kindle, I'm not surprised a dedicated eBook reader is a better
eBook reader than a Windows Mobile device! ;)

Kidding aside, activation and DRM issues are why I stopped buying Reader
eBooks. Amazon's Kindle DRM system handling is better, but I'm just not
going to carry a separate eBook reader around. I did install the Kindle
software on my wife's iPhone- it's quite good, and would like to see a
WinMo version.

[Shane Nokes]

Indeed a WinMo version would be welcome.

I just tried the 'newest' version of Convert Lit and it actually worked
really well.

So well in fact that I migrated most of my books from Reader format to my
Kindle.

I hadn't tried it for a couple years, so the older version that I used
must've had an odd issue that the newer one doesn't :)

"Todd Allcock" <elecc...@aNOoSPAMl.com> wrote in message

news:gvelrj$9in$2...@aioe.org...

[Dave]

To my amazement this does also work on my Omnia... thank you very much!
HOWEVER... I had to restart my phone before it would let me access the books.
I have to switch off the phone and turn on again if I close the program
during a session to use the reader again...weird...but at least I have access
to my books!