Comment To register Win 2002, may I have your HD ID sir? (Score 2) 124
Just imagine if to register a copy Windows you had to call M$, give them your windows registration code and your HD ID. Then you would receive a password needed to install windows. If your hard drive crashed and you bought another, you'd have to call them again for another install password.
Now imagine M$ started to require it's OEMs to use this type of drive to get the "best" price. Since most people buy instead of build their machines, next time they buy a new machine their stuck with one.