Buying a new activation key:

[Guest]

Hello there, people.

I have purchased, physically on a store, a FULL RETAIL version of Vista
Ultimate for my notebook.

I decided to use it at my desktop as well, and installed on it. Now, I want
to buy a new product key to get the activation to work, but my attempts are
being futile. This is what is happening:

I go to the Control Panel/system and I force a "product activation" routine;
when it doesn't not work, as expected, a pop-up appears with several links,
including a "I don't have another key for windows vista and need to purchase
one on line" option.

If I click on that, an "error" link appears leading me for a page suppsedly
for buying additional licenses:

https://pa.one.microsoft.com/ActivationError.aspx

I click on that, and it brings me to this screen with ordering options for
addition licenses:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/addlicense/default.mspx

Which brings me to the next screen, when I'm supposed to insert the product
ID so I can start a new order (I'm getting the correct ID at the activated
windows screen, BTW, before someone asks):

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/addlicense/howto.mspx

Only that when I submit that info, it brings me back to the original
"activation error" screen:

https://pa.one.microsoft.com/ActivationError.aspx

I have tried this both in my still-inside-30-days-period desktop (13 days
left), and in my already-activated notebook; in either, I'm merely walking in
circles as described steps above repeat every time.

So what the heck am I missing here? Shouldn't I be given the option to
purchase a new key on line? I want to do it like this in order to (hopefully)
get some kind of deal, but even if not, only so that I don't have to
re-install everything on my PC by buying a different DVD, as I remember
reading (somewhere) that one must always use the activation key that comes
with the DVD it was shipped with.

So I guess I have three questions:

- Can I get an on line extra activation key, (by properly purchasing it from
Microsoft), or is this service not available (to anyone, or maybe to people
of some countries; I'm from Brazil);

- If I can't purchase on line, I need to know If I do buy a new full retail
copy of Vista Ultimate, will the key work, or will I have to re-install with
the accompanying DVD;

- If I have to re-install, do I have to wipe the HD clean, or if I just
cover the previous installation with a new one, so all my neat software
installations are kept intact, will make the activation available?

Sorry if this is too rookie, but I'm kind of bugged by the idea of
re-installing all that I have, specially because I have a lot of downloads
from steam to do every time I re-install.

Regards.

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Have you tried http://www.windowsmartketplace.com or Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Ultimate-Additional-License/dp/B000HCVRS0

 

[Kevin Weaver]

Hello there, people.

I have purchased, physically on a store, a FULL RETAIL version of Vista
Ultimate for my notebook.

I decided to use it at my desktop as well, and installed on it. Now, I
want
to buy a new product key to get the activation to work, but my attempts
are
being futile. This is what is happening:

I go to the Control Panel/system and I force a "product activation"
routine;
when it doesn't not work, as expected, a pop-up appears with several
links,
including a "I don't have another key for windows vista and need to
purchase
one on line" option.

If I click on that, an "error" link appears leading me for a page
suppsedly
for buying additional licenses:

https://pa.one.microsoft.com/ActivationError.aspx

I click on that, and it brings me to this screen with ordering options for
addition licenses:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/addlicense/default.mspx

Which brings me to the next screen, when I'm supposed to insert the
product
ID so I can start a new order (I'm getting the correct ID at the activated
windows screen, BTW, before someone asks):

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/addlicense/howto.mspx

Only that when I submit that info, it brings me back to the original
"activation error" screen:

https://pa.one.microsoft.com/ActivationError.aspx

I have tried this both in my still-inside-30-days-period desktop (13 days
left), and in my already-activated notebook; in either, I'm merely walking
in
circles as described steps above repeat every time.

So what the heck am I missing here? Shouldn't I be given the option to
purchase a new key on line? I want to do it like this in order to
(hopefully)
get some kind of deal, but even if not, only so that I don't have to
re-install everything on my PC by buying a different DVD, as I remember
reading (somewhere) that one must always use the activation key that comes
with the DVD it was shipped with.

So I guess I have three questions:

- Can I get an on line extra activation key, (by properly purchasing it
from
Microsoft), or is this service not available (to anyone, or maybe to
people
of some countries; I'm from Brazil);

- If I can't purchase on line, I need to know If I do buy a new full
retail
copy of Vista Ultimate, will the key work, or will I have to re-install
with
the accompanying DVD;

- If I have to re-install, do I have to wipe the HD clean, or if I just
cover the previous installation with a new one, so all my neat software
installations are kept intact, will make the activation available?

Sorry if this is too rookie, but I'm kind of bugged by the idea of
re-installing all that I have, specially because I have a lot of downloads
from steam to do every time I re-install.

Regards.

Your not going to save much if anything at all.

No you don't need to only Install the key that came with the DVD.
All the DVD media is the same. You just need a new key.

What I would do Is buy another upgrade store bought and just use that key
for which ever one you need the key for. Then the next time you will have
the media and the key.

 

[Guest]

Hi FredLC,

I am unsure why you are having this issue, but I do have an answer for
you!

You Can get an extra Product Key, online, in the form of what’s called a
WGA Kit. The WGA Kit comes with a new Vista Product Key (which is emailed to
you) and media (just like a retail box) but costs less then retail (R$668.73
for brazil).

Normally WGA Kits are for people that have a Non-Genuine version of Vista
and need to buy a Genuine product key to make their copy of Vista, Genuine
again. But I have asked the WGA Kit Product Manager and she says that you
qualify even though your Vista is not yet non-genuine. Once you pass the 30
day activation grace period without activating, your vista will then
officially qualify as non-genuine.

You have 2 options to order the WGA Kit:
1) Wait until you pass the 30 day activation grace period, at that point,
when you log into Vista, it will be in reduced functionality mode and a
window will pop up with an option for you to buy a WGA Kit. Follow that link
and then follow the directions to order the kit.

2) If you want the kit now, you can call 0 800 867 5309 and talk to a Rep
that can order the kit for you. The Rep, may become confused because until
you pass the 30 day activation grace period, your Vista is technically
Genuine. Just explain your situation and that your vista will be non-genuine
in less then 13 days and the Rep should place the order for you.

When you get the new product key, you do not have to re-install Vista. All
you need to do is:
a) Click the ‘Start’ button.
b) Right-click ‘Computer’
c) Click ‘Properties’
d) In the new window, scroll to the bottom and click the “Change product
key†link.
e) Follow the directions in complete the ‘Change Product Key†wizard.

NOTE: when you order the WGA Kit, please be sure to get the Vista Ultimate
version.

I hope this helps,
Darin Smith
WGA Forum Manager
http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine