Vista activation

[Guest]

Just purchased a new machine with Vista Business installed. System
properties indicate that my product is activated. When I try to utilize the
free 90 day support by email from Microsoft, it does not recognize my product
key. A note on the site says that if Vista came installed on my PC then I
must contact the manufacturer. Does this mean that the only free support
that Microsoft offers is for OS bought separately from the machine?

 

[Guest]

Your computer maker supplies the support for OEM installations. MS has self
help tools--knowledge base, web sites, etc. You should ask your computer
maker about their available support.

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

OEMs are responsible for technical support on systems preloaded with
Windows. Only the retail Vistas get technical support from Microsoft.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Windows Vista came installed on the computer by the Manufacturer, that
normally means it is OEM.
Contact the computer manufacturer for all support, if applicable, not
Microsoft.

One of the many reasons you paid less for OEM than retail..

 

[John]

Yes. You have an OEM version, not the retail version. Retail version gets MS
support, you get the OEM support.