reinstalled vista-key wont work

[Sean]

I recently had to to re-install vista, my comp was infested with viruses and
they had written themselves over my sytem restore points, so I went ahead and
just reinstalled vista.

Now thought its asking me to activate vista. I keep trying to enter the key
but I get an error saying that key is only for upgrades, not fresh installs.
I dont know what to do, I have upgraded my comp significantly since I
originally got vista so that may be why but now what? Im not dropping 59
bucks to talk to someone from tech support and Im sure as heck not buying a
new key.

 

[peter]

You could have just Virus Scanned to get rid of the Virus and then deleted
all restore points.
You need a Phone Activation....the option is there under Activation.....
peter

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Sean,

From your post I infer that you have an upgrade version of Vista. The
information from my post 'Clean Install Windows Vista Using Upgrade Media',
also in this newsgroup (dated 9/21/2007), will help you to solve your
problem. Note that if you cannot activate Vista over the Internet you will
have to use the phone option. If this is the case, then the first part of
this option will also fail. Don't worry, just stay on the line and you will
be put through to an operator who will be able to assist you. Note that this
is a freephone / toll-free number.
Dwarf

http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...2be7&mid=c2e2a2bd-c0ed-4c78-ae89-5eb74dcf2be7

 

[Bob Dorn]

I have an upgrade version, but according to CDW since its an upgrade it is
NOT ment to boot, while you can install from with xp, you can NOT do an
clean install media that doesnt boot. Now I tried that and it is true,
while I created my own iso to boot, it didnt come that way.

 

[Daniel]

This seems a bit strange, the upgrade is meant to boot so you can use the
trouble shooting bits.

Did set your bios to boot to the DVD drive, did you watch the boot cycle and
press a key to boot from the DVD when asked??

cheers

Daniel

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Bob,

Whilst you are technically correct in what you are saying, this in actual
fact is not my experience with upgrade versions. All the upgrade versions
that I have had (XP Home, XP Pro and Vista) have been able to boot directly
off the disk without any trouble. I have in the past clean installed ALL of
these operating systems. For the XP versions, this simply meant inserting my
copy of Windows 98SE when requested. For Vista, I simply followed the
instructions given in my post, reference to which is given elsewhere in this
thread.
Dwarf

 

[wash127]

I recently had to to re-install vista, my comp was infested with viruses and
they had written themselves over my sytem restore points, so I went ahead and
just reinstalled vista.

Now thought its asking me to activate vista. I keep trying to enter the key
but I get an error saying that key is only for upgrades, not fresh installs.
I dont know what to do, I have upgraded my comp significantly since I
originally got vista so that may be why but now what? Im not dropping 59
bucks to talk to someone from tech support and Im sure as heck not buying a
new key.

 

[wash127]

Put your windows cd in and do an upgrade within windows.
Enter the key when asked and activate vista.