Product Key activation

[Guest]

After installing Vista Premium just to test it out and see how it runs on the
old girl I found it not to be to its full potential but made the mistake to
activate it. Then I went shopping and got a new moterboard, CPU, Ram, Graphic
card (I kept th old Box). Formatted my Hard disk and loaded up Vista on it.
Now if I activate it or trying to, it tells me that the product key is
already in use and I have to purchase another Version of Vista.
What I suspect is that microsoft checks the Product Key and then gets your
Computer details and registers that on their database. Now my computer is no
longer what it was I am in deeeeep waters.
Has anyone a solution or suggestion. I cant afford to say $450.00 good bye.

cheers Jonek

 

[Dustin Harper]

You can activate by phone, and tell MS what happened and they'll let you
activate it. Pain in the butt, but it works.

 

[Guest]

Call microsoft and explain your situation to them. I had to do the same thing
after i did a recovery.
Jim

 

[Hugh Jass]

Tell them that you replaced defective hardware, and DID NOT buy a new
computer. You cannot activate the same copy of Vista on a new computer, but
if you had to upgrade defective hardware, then you don't have a new
computer. Get the idea??

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

You can install and activate Vista retail on a different computer as
long as it is removed from the first.
There is no limit to the number of moves and/or installations as long
as retail Vista is installed on only one computer at a time.
Since the OP paid $450 for Vista, it is unlikely to be OEM.