Vista will not activate Installing and Upgrading Vista Discuss Vista will not activate in the Windows Vista forums; Good point from Airman; don't volunteer information. When I switched my Vista Business Edition from my laptop to my Desktop about a month ago, I went through the same ...

[felix8406]

Good point from Airman; don't volunteer information. When I switched my Vista Business Edition from my laptop to my Desktop about a month ago, I went through the same proces. WHen asked: I told them I had removed Vista from the laptop and installed it on my desktop...that was it. Like Airman stated: I was asked how many computers does the copy of Vista was installed, and I told them one...I was given the codes.

I second Airman, give it a try.

[airman]

I also remember them asking was the copy installed or did I install the copy of XP and I always say I bought and built system and installed the copy. Does this matter I am not sure, but I had a legal install problem and I kept calling
CS rep and they would just read from the same script every time I call until one CS rep finally figured it out and just gave me a new code. They had me sending them copy of my disc closeup front and back to verify the copy was legit was a real hassle.

[backspin2006]

it happened to me, come to find out I had a upgrade version of the OS, check to see if you have an upgrade version, if so you have to do the install over but select upgrade, after i did this, vista activativated itself.

[gilesm]

Wow,

It seems I have some options, I must admit I had given up on Vista and just use XP on that machine when I need it. At least everything in XP always worked ! (my Vista installation was never quite right).

I was so peeved with Microsoft that I went and bought a new 20" iMac as well.
Now I am not sure, I might try to get Vista working again !

I will let you all know how I get on !

[Buster]

I have reinstalled OEM's many times you must have caught the guy on a bad day
go through the process again and just tell them that your hard drive failed and you have had to replace it as it is only used on the one machine they will give you the code no problems but don't go on at them
I suggest you backup your system with acronis as you have 2 hard drives and make a bootable disc with it then you can restore any time as it keeps the registration details

[Snuffy]

Originally Posted by gilesm

Wow,

It seems I have some options, I must admit I had given up on Vista and just use XP on that machine when I need it. At least everything in XP always worked ! (my Vista installation was never quite right).

I was so peeved with Microsoft that I went and bought a new 20" iMac as well.
Now I am not sure, I might try to get Vista working again !

I will let you all know how I get on !

The fastest machine in the world is an iMac running Vista..

[airman]

I have had to call MS twice in the last 7 days for the same key once when I installed on my old P-3 system and today on the same system but upgraded to a new motherboard and cpu and was asked the same questions 1 read of the set of 6 numbers all 9 sets then what version then how many systems is this key used on and then ok i will give you you new install code 9 sets of 6 numbers ok click next your Genuine and is there anything else I can help you with today and that it good-bye activated. I even told hime this was the second time this week or within the last 7 days he could care less about my problems. Thanks you MS

[Snuffy]

Glad someone else is having problems...(Not really), yesterday I flashed my bios . Bad Mistake... reading said AOK, reboot ... SCREWED it corrupted 2 HDD' (how I do not know...) lost ability to boot to either one... (huumm)
1. XP SP2 with all normal updates. after Format and chkdsk A OK using now
2. Vista SP1 - fails to boot... need to format than check and see later.
Gads after some time... I found the old working BIOS v1.80 downloaded to the laptop...NO floppy but I did cut iso9660 to CD, then found a Win98ME boot disk, flashed via DOS twice to insure BIOS took....
so I'm back to XP SP2. Lost all my news RSS feeds, all email address,
but I'm BACK.... No news for a while on my part but working to get things back....so someone else will have to POST NEWS...

[airman]

I sometimes think back to the days of Windows 95 and 98 those were the days and lets not forget dial-up which I do not know how I would use it today. BSOD lock -ups restarts reinstalls were pretty common but didn't have to call MS for activation keys very often. I think the OS have improved but MS has just gotten more set on trying to stop the pirates and they bring it on themselves with all this activation/genuine call for keys stuff etc. Well I guess I am just counting our blessing because our friend's house blew up early this morning and they are luck they were not killed they house is totaled. The furnace blew out killed one dog and blew out the bedroom wall and left a hole 9 foot wide in the floor of the room, some one was watching over them for sure, I got out of my truck and it just brought tears to my eye's and you just have to count your blessing this Christmas. God Bless every one and Happy Holidays and be Safe.

[Buster]

glad to hear they are safe I do hope they have good insurance
but even if they haven't they have each other and thats all you need to start again
what a Christmas present