Bought used copy of Vista, License still activated

  • Thread starter Thread starter Quixizous
  • Start date Start date
Q

Quixizous

I recently bought a used copy of Vista Home Premium on eBay. Last time I
ever buy a used OS. From the description, I got the impression that it had
not been installed at all. However, according to the seller, it had been
installed and became unusable after the first reboot, so he reformatted the
hard drive and reinstalled XP.

I tried activating the license, but it has already been activated. So, the
product key is apparently still locked into that previous installation. How
can I or the seller free up the license in order to attach it to my
installation of Vista?
 
The license is already registered as being in used, so I don't know if using
the automated phone system would make a difference... unless I'd be talking
to a real live person.

Thanks for responding.

- Robert
 
The license is already registered as being in used, so I don't know if using
the automated phone system would make a difference... unless I'd be talking
to a real live person.

Thanks for responding.

- Robert
 
You will get the option to talk to a real person if necessary.
However this applies as long as what you purchased is retail.
If you purchased OEM, there may be other issues since normally OEM is
permanently tied to the first computer regardless the condition of
that computer.
If you bought OEM, you may need to contact the seller for a refund.
 
Great. It's in the golly gee whiz curvy packaging, so I have to assume it's
the retail version. I'll try calling tomorrow. Thanks a bunch.

- Robert
 
After you make your call, please post back to this thread to let us know
how your phone experience with MS went.
 
Hi, all. Just went through the phone process for activating Windows Vista.
It was quite effortless, actually. Spoke to a rep (who had an Indian accent
[dot, not feather], so I assume he's outsourced) and told him the problem
with the still activated license. I suppose he manually deactivated it,
based on what he said. I entered in the sets of numbers he gave me, and the
OS is now activated.

Thanks again to everyone who responded.
 
Good to hear, and thanks for posting the results.
Hi, all. Just went through the phone process for activating Windows Vista.
It was quite effortless, actually. Spoke to a rep (who had an Indian accent
[dot, not feather], so I assume he's outsourced) and told him the problem
with the still activated license. I suppose he manually deactivated it,
based on what he said. I entered in the sets of numbers he gave me, and the
OS is now activated.

Thanks again to everyone who responded.


Quixizous said:
I recently bought a used copy of Vista Home Premium on eBay. Last time I
ever buy a used OS. From the description, I got the impression that it had
not been installed at all. However, according to the seller, it had been
installed and became unusable after the first reboot, so he reformatted the
hard drive and reinstalled XP.

I tried activating the license, but it has already been activated. So, the
product key is apparently still locked into that previous installation. How
can I or the seller free up the license in order to attach it to my
installation of Vista?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I recently bought a used copy of Vista Home Premium on eBay. Last time I
ever buy a used OS. From the description, I got the impression that it had
not been installed at all. However, according to the seller, it had been
installed and became unusable after the first reboot, so he reformatted the
hard drive and reinstalled XP.

I tried activating the license, but it has already been activated. So, the
product key is apparently still locked into that previous installation. How
can I or the seller free up the license in order to attach it to my
installation of Vista?
Click to expand...

Unless it's a "RETAIL" copy you are screwed, an OEM copy can not be
resold/installed on a new computer once it's been activated, except as
approved by a vendor for failure of the motherboard.

--

Leythos
- Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum.
- Calling an illegal alien an "undocumented worker" is like calling a
drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist"
(e-mail address removed) (remove 999 for proper email address)
 
The license is already registered as being in used, so I don't know if using
the automated phone system would make a difference... unless I'd be talking
to a real live person.
Click to expand...

1) Do you know the difference between "Registered" and "Activated"?'
"Registration" is completely unnecessary, while "Activation" is mandatory.

Did the person you purchased from actually "Register" his copy, or did he
"Activate" it. If it's been "Activated", you are not required to use the
automatic activation method. Instead, you will have the option of speaking with
a live tech.

What I do is simply ignore the mechanized phone voice and keep repeating
"Transfer me, please." The computerized phone voice will be unable to
understand this, and ask you if you want to be transferred to a live
representative. At which point you say "Yes", and within a few minutes you will
be transferred to a representative who will be able to help you activate your OS
manually.

2) Alternately, you just have to wait 120 days for the old activation records to
be wiped from the Activation server. Then you should be able to activate via
the Internet.

3) If the product was "Registered" as well as "activated", on the other hand,
tell the tech your circumstances.

4) ALWAYS be very polite to the tech (who probably won't be a native speaker of
English).
 
Hi, all. Just went through the phone process for activating Windows Vista.
It was quite effortless, actually. Spoke to a rep (who had an Indian accent
[dot, not feather], so I assume he's outsourced) and told him the problem
with the still activated license. I suppose he manually deactivated it,
based on what he said. I entered in the sets of numbers he gave me, and the
OS is now activated.
Click to expand...

Actually, he didn't "deactivate" the older installations. There is no way of
"deactivating" XP or Vista. He simply gave you a series of numbers which,
together with the Product ID, activated your OS. This activation was recorded
on their servers,where it will be valid for the next 120 days. After that, it
will be completely removed from the server (without deactivating your OS), and
you should be able to activate via the Internet easily.
 
After that, it will be completely removed from the server (without
deactivating your OS), and you should be able to activate via the
Internet easily.
Click to expand...

Not in Vista? Point to a source please.
 
2) Alternately, you just have to wait 120 days for the old activation records to
be wiped from the Activation server. Then you should be able to activate via
the Internet.
Click to expand...


Hi Donald,

Can I just check with you if this 120 days thingy applies also in the
UK.

I ask because only a few days ago I asked MS about re-installing MS
Vista OEM version on my home built PC after I change over the
motherboard. The employee said that it could not be done. I know that
there was a bit of a language problem between us but the employee
didn't accept that I could not refer the matter to the supplier of the
PC as that was myself & finally said that I should not have installed
an OEM version.

It is probably about 6 months since I first installed this OEM Vista
so from what you report I should have no problem in activating an
installation on a new motherboard.

David
 

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