Additional Windows Vista License

[Gordon Biggar]

I recently installed VMware on my Vista 64-bit desktop. I used the Vista
32-bit software that I have on my laptop to set up a guest system. I
believe that I now need to activate this latter system by purchasing a new
license.

When I go the Computer\Properties route to activate the system and to
purchase a new license, I keep getting the message "Unable to process your
order at this time. Please try again later." (I am now several days
later...)

Is there another route I should use to activate my software before my time
expires (and my computer self destructs)?

Thanks for any assistance in this effort.

Gordon Biggar

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

I recently installed VMware on my Vista 64-bit desktop. I used the Vista
32-bit software that I have on my laptop to set up a guest system. I
believe that I now need to activate this latter system by purchasing a new
license.

When I go the Computer\Properties route to activate the system and to
purchase a new license, I keep getting the message "Unable to process your
order at this time. Please try again later." (I am now several days
later...)

Is there another route I should use to activate my software before my time
expires (and my computer self destructs)?

Thanks for any assistance in this effort.

Gordon Biggar

The cost of a Microsoft license is not so much in the CD/DVD as the keycode
which accompanies it. Buy yourself a new copy..

 

[Gordon Biggar]

Sir Michael --

I am traveling at present. If I don't return to home base until after the
activation period has expired, do I run the risk of a lock-up, or simply
repeated warnings from MSFT?

Thanks for the prompt response.

GB

 

[David B.]

You have 120 days using slmgr

http://www.petri.co.il/extend_windows_vista_activation_period_with_slmgr_vbs.htm

--

Crosspost, do not multipost http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm
How to ask a question http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Sir Michael --

I am traveling at present. If I don't return to home base until after the
activation period has expired, do I run the risk of a lock-up, or simply
repeated warnings from MSFT?

Thanks for the prompt response.

GB

 

[Gordon]

Sir Michael --

I am traveling at present.

Hmmm - I would have though it prudent to make sure you were all activated
BEFORE setting off.....

 

[Peter Foldes]

Gordon

do I run the risk of a lock-up

More of a lock-out than a lock-up. Why did you not activate Gordon. Just curious

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

Sir Michael --

I am traveling at present. If I don't return to home base until after the
activation period has expired, do I run the risk of a lock-up, or simply repeated
warnings from MSFT?

Thanks for the prompt response.

GB

 

[Gordon Biggar]

Ignorance, basically. I had a third party install the VMware on my Dell
desktop (64-bit), and I needed a 32-bit environment to run many of the dBase
programs that I wrote in an earlier century. I gave the third party a copy
of the unopened 32-bit Vista CD package that had come with my laptop some
months ago, forgetting totally about activation (Dell had already activated
it on the laptop, I am presuming).

Gordon

Gordon

do I run the risk of a lock-up

More of a lock-out than a lock-up. Why did you not activate Gordon. Just
curious

 

[David B.]

If you installed Vista from a CD that shipped with your laptop in a VM, you
will not be able to activate it period, your license doesn't allow it to be
installed in a VM, only on the computer it shipped with.

 

[Gordon Biggar]

The CD that shipped with the laptop was a stand-alone operating system,
already installed by Dell. As noted in the message, the VMware was not
added until later -- to a desktop, not the laptop.

GB

 

[Mike Brannigan]

The CD that shipped with the laptop was a stand-alone operating system,
already installed by Dell. As noted in the message, the VMware was not
added until later -- to a desktop, not the laptop.

GB

Gordon,

The point David is making is that the DVD of Windows Vista Dell supplied
with your laptop is an OEM version and only licensed for installation on the
laptop it was supplied with. It may not be installed on any other system,
it is not transferable. The OEM supplied license is for use only on the
laptop. If you choose to replace the OS on the laptop with something else
you may not reuse the old OEM supplied license on any other device (physical
or virtual).
You need to go to a PC store etc and purchase a new copy of Windows Vista
for the VM you have and then activate it using the new key on that product -
however I believe you may have to reinstall using the new media as the
retail key on the new copy you will buy will not activate an OEM copy.

As an aside you really should not use your real public e-mail address in a
newsgroup as it is likely to be harvested by a SPAM-bit for junk mailing.
see http://www.microsoft.com/communities/privacy.mspx for ore about what you
should do with your e-mail address in newsgroups.

 

[Gordon Biggar]

Mike --

Thanks for your insightful remarks.

The third party did indeed install my Dell DVD of Vista 32 on my VM guest
system (different computer), but of course it would not activate, as you
noted. And, I did purchase another Vista 32 CD, and fortunately I was able
to use that key code to activate the system. Interestingly, the OEM CD
reads as follows: "Use this DVD only to reinstall the operating system on a
Dell PC." It does not say ""on the same PC," for example, so perhaps that
was why the third party was able to install it on a different computer?
Because of the activation process, Microsoft is not circumvented on a
revenue basis, so it probably doesn't care where it is installed, since the
system will have to be activated with a new license key. (It's been some
time since I have purchased a computer - I restore antique automobiles, so I
enjoy keeping my older computers operative far beyond their actual
utility...)

Your comment on the preferred non-use of one's email address on news forums
is one that I have never considered. But, since one can switch between
one's email software (I use WLM) and a newsgroup with a single click, how
does one "alter," so to speak, one's email address when in a newsgroup?
Makes eminent sense. I even enjoyed the article on cross-posting vs.
multi-posting. But, what (or where does one find) are the mechanics for
accomplishing same? Questions generating questions...

Again, thanks for all of the useful inputs. Folks like you may drag me into
the 21st century yet....

Gordon Biggar
Houston, Texas

 

[David B.]

A Dell recovery CD will work on pretty much any Dell, and will be
preactivated as long as it sees it's on a Dell. It will also install on
almost any computer, but it won't activate unless, as you found out, you
provide a valid product key.

 

[Gordon]

Your comment on the preferred non-use of one's email address on news
forums is one that I have never considered. But, since one can switch
between one's email software (I use WLM) and a newsgroup with a single
click, how does one "alter," so to speak, one's email address when in a
newsgroup?

Right-click on the News Server in the L/H pane, choose properties and on the
General Tab you can (generally) enter anything you like in the email address
field. Just be careful that you don't accidentally use a genuine domain,
otherwise THEY will get all the spam!

See here for more info:

How to munge your Email Address
http://members.aol.com/emailfaq/mungfaq.html
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm

Makes eminent sense. I even enjoyed the article on cross-posting vs.
multi-posting. But, what (or where does one find) are the mechanics for
accomplishing same? Questions generating questions...

When composing a post, click on the Newsgroups icon at the top of the
message window and it will allow you to post to more than one group at the
same time.
HTH

 

[Gordon Biggar]

Gracias, senor.

In response to your question of a day ago, one should definitely attend to
details prior to skipping town, but since we experienced a death in the
family, computers took a back seat. Enough on that subject, though...

Thanks for the input. I shall attempt to put it into play.

(the other) Gordon