i just got some viruses on my computer. i backed everything up onto a couple
of cd disks, i still have the instalation disk and want to install it again.
but i dont know how many times i can use my serial code and if it will even
work. so please can someone tell me what to do

Hi,

You can reinstall to the same machine using the same Product Key as often as
you deem necessary.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"gruiser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:FA08270B-AA50-4132-ABEF-(E-Mail Removed)...
>i just got some viruses on my computer. i backed everything up onto a
>couple
> of cd disks, i still have the instalation disk and want to install it
> again.
> but i dont know how many times i can use my serial code and if it will
> even
> work. so please can someone tell me what to do

You should be able to reinstall without any problems, if you have made any
drastic changes to the system since, such as changing the mother board or
hard disk, you might have to phone Microsoft Activation Center to
reactivate.
--
Andre
Blog: http://adacosta.spaces.live.com
My Vista Quickstart Guide:
http://adacosta.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!E8E5CC039D51E3DB!9709.entry
"gruiser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:FA08270B-AA50-4132-ABEF-(E-Mail Removed)...
>i just got some viruses on my computer. i backed everything up onto a
>couple
> of cd disks, i still have the instalation disk and want to install it
> again.
> but i dont know how many times i can use my serial code and if it will
> even
> work. so please can someone tell me what to do

You shouldn't have a problem re-using your product code. When it comes to
activating windows you 'might' get a 'product key in use' message along with
a refusal to activate, but all you need do then is use the telephone option
for activation. This system is automated and, again, you may be refused
activation by the automated service, but 'do not' hang up; stay on the line
and you will be transferred to a 'real' person who will help ou activate
your copy of Vista. If this i the first time you have activated since you
had Vista you should be able to activate over the internet without any
problem. I've ctivated my copy quite a few times and have never yet had to
use the telephone option.

John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert

http://vistasupport.mvps.org
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

"gruiser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:FA08270B-AA50-4132-ABEF-(E-Mail Removed)...
>i just got some viruses on my computer. i backed everything up onto a
>couple
> of cd disks, i still have the instalation disk and want to install it
> again.
> but i dont know how many times i can use my serial code and if it will
> even
> work. so please can someone tell me what to do

gruiser wrote:
> i just got some viruses on my computer. i backed everything up onto a couple
> of cd disks, i still have the instalation disk and want to install it again.
> but i dont know how many times i can use my serial code and if it will even
> work. so please can someone tell me what to do

I wonder where you got that idea?

MS FUD is insidious.

Alias

Alias wrote:
> gruiser wrote:
>> i just got some viruses on my computer. i backed everything up onto a
>> couple of cd disks, i still have the instalation disk and want to
>> install it again. but i dont know how many times i can use my serial
>> code and if it will even work. so please can someone tell me what to do
>
> I wonder where you got that idea?
>
> MS FUD is insidious.
>
> Alias


Hehe, out of all my test stuff the one I had never tried to install was
XP Media Center, but Friday night decided I would give it a go just to
see how it compared to LinuxMCE and Vista's Media Center.

Well, my official MS install CDs from some while back always appeared to
have an error that prevented it from ever installing, my official MS
install CDs from a while later also create an error but a different one,
so I downloaded it and started over. It installed but when I tried to
apply the downloaded "Update Rollup" that went belly up and so I figured
I may as well start over and do online updates. It refused those
demanding activation so I hit activate and guess what?

Not sure why they decided it needed to be deactivated or not be allowed
to activate, it didn't work to begin with