Need to re-enter product key and get "already in use message"

I installed Vista a few days after it came out like 8 months ago or so. Just
today I tried to start it up and it says that my activation period had
expired and I needed to re-enter my product key. So I got out the case it
came with and entered the product key on the yellow sticker - the product key
for my copy of vista - and the message came up that "that product key is
already in use".

The option it gives me is to buy a new product key, but I'd rather not and
used the one I have. Haven't done anything to the computer except to turn off
the power supply from time to time when the computer is off. I thought the
copy was activated, after all I think the activation period is 30 days and
I've been using my copy for 7 months or so.

You can get started with phone activation by typing "slui.exe 4"
(w/o the quotes) in the Start Search box in the Start Menu and pressing
Enter.
The phone activation process takes about 6 minutes.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Scrypps" wrote:

I installed Vista a few days after it came out like 8 months ago or so. Just
today I tried to start it up and it says that my activation period had
expired and I needed to re-enter my product key. So I got out the case it
came with and entered the product key on the yellow sticker - the product key
for my copy of vista - and the message came up that "that product key is
already in use".

The option it gives me is to buy a new product key, but I'd rather not and
used the one I have. Haven't done anything to the computer except to turn off
the power supply from time to time when the computer is off. I thought the
copy was activated, after all I think the activation period is 30 days and
I've been using my copy for 7 months or so.

Hi,

Yes, the product key is already in use, by *you*. Use the activate by
telephone method. If the automated part fails, stay on the line until you
get connected to a human operator.

--
Jane, not plain 64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP - Windows Shell/User

"Scrypps" <Scrypps@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6C970140-027B-4EC8-A510-0F642F44FF4F@microsoft.com...
>I installed Vista a few days after it came out like 8 months ago or so.
>Just
> today I tried to start it up and it says that my activation period had
> expired and I needed to re-enter my product key. So I got out the case it
> came with and entered the product key on the yellow sticker - the product
> key
> for my copy of vista - and the message came up that "that product key is
> already in use".
>
> The option it gives me is to buy a new product key, but I'd rather not and
> used the one I have. Haven't done anything to the computer except to turn
> off
> the power supply from time to time when the computer is off. I thought the
> copy was activated, after all I think the activation period is 30 days and
> I've been using my copy for 7 months or so.