HELP!! Serious issue when replacing failed video card Vista Bugs and Problems Discuss HELP!! Serious issue when replacing failed video card in the Windows Vista forums; My video card failed yesterday and I replaced it with a new one. Now I find that in: Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> System The Windows activation has ...

My video card failed yesterday and I replaced it with a new one. Now I find that in:
Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> System

The Windows activation has been reset and it wants me to Activate Windows now. When I select it and select activate on line I get a response back which says "The product key you typed is already in use" and presents a number of non useful options.

Also note that the timer is counting down the days to activate.

I selected the contact Microsoft Customer Support online - but all it does is send you in circles.

Any suggestions?

[dazzlin]

I believe there is a phone number you can call to activate in such circumstances. Let me dig around to see if I can get more details.

[felix8406]

It's weird, but doesn't surprise me; Microsoft still have a lot of work to do on Vista. Somehow you'll need to get in touch with Microsoft. Try email support, it might take a few days, but you still have plenty of time. I'd used email support before and did receive a response.

Had you tried system restore? I doubt it'll fix the problem but it's worth the try. If system restore doesn't fix it, try reinstalling your old video card. If you still get the activation message with the old card, try system restore again with it installed. If you do get it to work with the old card, make a restore point and then try to install the new card. Uninstall the old graphics card driver before turning the PC off to install the new card.

[dazzlin]

Here we go:

From this page:

Can I activate over the telephone?
Yes. If an Internet connection is not available or you are within the last three days of the grace period, you can activate by telephone. The telephone number varies by location and is provided during the activation process.

[felix8406]

Sorry Dazz, I didn't know you had posted a respond.

[crabby]

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/r...l/numbers.mspx

Hope you can sort it quick, I can;t believe a change in graphics card causes the requirement fora a reactivation!

crabby

[felix8406]

Originally Posted by crabby

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/r...l/numbers.mspx

I can't believe a change in graphics card causes the requirement fora a reactivation!

crabby

It's not supposed to require reactivation; I think the problem is with Vista not ready to handle day-to-day issues, especially when its security features are being so tight to prevent "hackening". Point in case, I installed a new version of Avast. When I restarted the PC, it went to "Configuring new updates"...don't know where that came from. Anyway, when Vista started I received the "Reactivate Vista" message. When I tried using System Restore, all previous restore points had been deleted. I did reactivated it without any issues, but that shouldn't happened.

Thanks to all for your assistance.

For future reference - none of the options presented in the activation window worked. And none would place me in contact with someone to help me without fronting Microsoft with a credit card number and a minimum $59 charge. I can't begin to express my disappointment with this.

There was a patch listed in the support web site which described my problem exactly, but when I tried to install it - It responded with "not applicable" to my system.

I finally went to their primary web site and gleamed an 800 number for home user support issues and used it. It put me in contact with a nice gentlemen in India who was very helpful and was able to generate a new activation key for me - even though I have an OEM version. The OEM version required additional information which was only available from the actual DVD I had purchased. He was aware of the new video card requiring re-activation, so I suspect it may have been one of the patches installed since I loaded Vista.

My commentary on this issue.
Microsoft has swung the pendulum too far in their effort to prevent piracy. I agree that it is an issue which needs to be resolved. But to place the burden (and believe me when I say the above task was a burden) on customers who purchased legal copies of their software is NOT what Microsoft should do. I own a lot of Microsoft software. I have spent a lot of money with them over the years - but unless they start respecting the time I have to spend keeping their software running, I will move to another path. They aren't the ONLY choice anymore.

[Snuffy]

This I do not understand... I have switched Video Cards. from the 7300GS to the 7600GS, have added a totally new SATA HDD (switched from ATA boot drive to SATA boot drive) and Vista did not want me to RE-Activate... and the funny thing is

The Windows activation has been reset and it wants me to Activate Windows now. When I select it and select activate on line I get a response back which says "The product key you typed is already in use" and presents a number of non useful options.

Normally that indicates that the

KEY HAS BEEN HACKED OR USED MORE THAN ONCE.

Normally it takes 3 to 5 days of CRAP and lots of patience to get your NEW KEY. from MS.. recommend you have your Original Sales Receipt handy, plus all the other info from your container... with which to PROVE you own that KEY.

Remember also that OEM Keys are the Manufactures problem not Microsoft and ASUS and DELL are currently the MOST HACKED OEM's. ASUS should have honored your problem and issued you a NEW KEY...

Snuff:

Your comment "Normally that indicates that the
Quote:
KEY HAS BEEN HACKED OR USED MORE THAN ONCE."

I purchased the OEM package directly from my local PC Club store where I purchased the motherboard. It was a sealed package, and it has only been activated at the initial install. If the number was hacked by someone else, it should not become my problem.

Your comment "This I do not understand... I have switched Video Cards. from the 7300GS to the 7600GS, have added a totally new SATA HDD (switched from ATA boot drive to SATA boot drive) and Vista did not want me to RE-Activate... and the funny thing is"

But did you have a video card failure which resulted in an ugly shutdown and an even uglier install? Also have you made any switches since installing all the latest patches from Microsoft?

In the end I did get a new key from Microsoft - but it should not have been so painful!