Alan said:
Before reinstalling I took a note of the product key using a keyfinder
and
the product key on the label they were different. While loading I tried
the one from the label first but it failed so I tried the other and that
worked. Now when I try to Activate windows it fails and asks me if I want
to change the key and when I try it says I need to activate before I can
change the key. Nuts!
You haven't provided any information about your computer and what version of
Vista you're running, but my guess is that you have an OEM machine (Dell,
HP, etc.) and you've tried to installed with a retail disk. With OEM
machines the Product Key that you see with a keyfinder program is the one
used by the OEM for volume installs. You need to use the one on the
Certificate of Authority sticker on the computer.
Perhaps you should describe more thoroughly your computer and the version of
Vista you've installed. Obviously there is a mismatch but without knowing
your exact circumstances, any advice you get will be based only on
guessing.
Malke