Windows activation question

[Artificer]

I just bought a windows vista license. I don't mean that my computer
came with vista preinstalled I actually mean than I bought a retail
version of windows vista on Amazon. Now I wonder this: If I install
and activate windows on a computer but later that computer get damage
and I have to install all my programs on a new computer do I need to
buy a new license? What happen if I have to format my hard drive
completely can I reinstall windows using my original license? How many
times can I activate windows using the same serial number?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

The retail licenses can be reinstalled and/or moved to a different
computer an unlimited # of times.
No need to buy a new license.
But it can only be installed on one computer at a time.

Worst case, you will need to call Microsoft for activation.
Typically a less than 10 minute call.

 

[Rock]

I just bought a windows vista license. I don't mean that my computer
came with vista preinstalled I actually mean than I bought a retail
version of windows vista on Amazon. Now I wonder this: If I install
and activate windows on a computer but later that computer get damage
and I have to install all my programs on a new computer do I need to
buy a new license? What happen if I have to format my hard drive
completely can I reinstall windows using my original license? How many
times can I activate windows using the same serial number?

Any copy of Vista, OEM or retail, can be activated as many times as is
wanted on the same system. Additionally a retail copy - full or upgrade,
but not an OEM version, can be transferred to a different computer if first
removed from the computer on which it's installed.

 

[Artificer]

How Microsoft prevents me from installing on multiple computers them?

 

[Saucy]

How Microsoft prevents me from installing on multiple computers them?

If you attempt within a period of three-to-four months to do such a thing
you will have to phone in multiple times to get them activated because after
the first one or two the online activation will refuse. If you spread it out
over time they may all go through online because [I think] there is still a
3 or 4 month reset. If by phone and you are careful what you say, you will
get all of them activated over the phone.

But it is a bit of a pain and some future technology rolled out might cross
check or somesuch, plus its a violation of the EULA which is a potential
problem if these are business machines in the USA. There's still a litle bit
of the honour system left .. but do many out there have any honour?

If you are a tinkerer and like to test systems, consider a Technet
subscription. Gives you access to all the Microsoft operating systems [XP
Pro 32bit/64bit, all versions of Vista, Server 2003 most or all versions,
Betas for upcoming Server 2008, Office 2003, Office 2007 and so on] for
three hundred and something USD. The license is *for you only* and *not for
production machines*, but it lets you test them out and so on indefinitely.
MSDN subscription is similar, but moe development oriented in scope where
you also get access to the various Visual Studio related softwares .. and
the MSDN license subscription is pricier.

Saucy

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I just bought a windows vista license. I don't mean that my computer
came with vista preinstalled I actually mean than I bought a retail
version of windows vista on Amazon. Now I wonder this: If I install
and activate windows on a computer but later that computer get damage
and I have to install all my programs on a new computer do I need to
buy a new license?

No. That would be true if you bought an OEM version, but with a retail
version, you can move it to a new computer as often as you want.

What happen if I have to format my hard drive
completely can I reinstall windows using my original license?

Yes. That would be true even if you had an OEM version.

How many
times can I activate windows using the same serial number?

As often as you need to or want to. Worst case, you might have to do
it by a voice telephone call.

By the way, all of the above is just as it was in Windows XP; there's
nothing new in this regard.

 

[huwyngr]

But it can only be installed on one computer at a time.

Not quite true! <g> It can only be *activated* on one computer at a
time!

I ran an already activated copy of VISTA business for the 120 days
resetable period while waiting for a purchased copy of VISTA Ultimate.

I can think of a number of other ways in which this could be useful
including re-installing onto a different computer and wanting to be
sure that all was OK before cleaning off the older installation.

The worst that would happen would be that one had to activate by
telephone "I upgraded my computer"?

 

[Guest]

I have a question. I upgraded the Motherboard, CPU and memory in my
computer.. and now Vista says that it's a new computer and can't activate
it... so who do I call to fix it?

 

[Lisa Taylor]

I have recently purchased a new PC and have had issues with getting Vista
activated. After the third time of talking with Microsoft, I was told that
any time you had a new program or make a major change to your computer, you
will have to actually call the Microsoft number on the registration screen
to get a new key code from them. This is a huge problem. I am in school and
will be adding new programs through out my next three years. I had really
thought about dumping Windows Vista, but all the drivers for my new computer
are only created for the Vista image.

 

[Frank]

I have recently purchased a new PC and have had issues with getting
Vista activated. After the third time of talking with Microsoft, I was
told that any time you had a new program or make a major change to your
computer, you will have to actually call the Microsoft number on the
registration screen to get a new key code from them. This is a huge
problem. I am in school and will be adding new programs through out my
next three years. I had really thought about dumping Windows Vista, but
all the drivers for my new computer are only created for the Vista image.

I'm pretty sure that adding only new software program applications
should not require you to re-activate Vista because the activation
"hash" is based on a hardware/BIOS reading.
However, making certain hardware changes will require re-activation.
Frank

 

[Alias]

I'm pretty sure that adding only new software program applications
should not require you to re-activate Vista because the activation
"hash" is based on a hardware/BIOS reading.
However, making certain hardware changes will require re-activation.
Frank

Updating the drivers will too. Not so with Ubuntu ;-) Nothing like
buying a product from a company that continually asks you to prove
you're not a thief to make your day, eh, blusterer?

 

[Frank]

Alias wrote:

Updating the drivers will too.

No! Only if the driver update affects the BIOS.

Not so with Ubuntu ;-)

We're not talking about that toy os,urbuttoo, in case you didn't notice.


Nothing like

buying a product from a company that continually asks you to prove
you're not a thief to make your day, eh, blusterer?

Well mr urbuttoo linux liar who can't afford to purchase Vista, nobody
but you feels like a thief.
I wonder why that is...hummm?
Frank

 

[Guest]

what number do I need to call? I only have one computer with Vista running, I
shouldn't have to buy a second key when I upgraded it...

 

[Michael Solomon]

what number do I need to call? I only have one computer with Vista
running, I
shouldn't have to buy a second key when I upgraded it...

You don't have to buy a second key. Use the Activation routine, in that
routine there is an option to activate by phone, use it. You will have to
go through a few automated menus but ultimately, you will get to an
operator. Tell the operator what you have done and you should be given a
new activation number over the phone.

 

[Frank]

what number do I need to call? I only have one computer with Vista running, I
shouldn't have to buy a second key when I upgraded it...

:

Who said you should or need to, huh?
Frank

 

[Charlie Tame]

I have recently purchased a new PC and have had issues with getting
Vista activated. After the third time of talking with Microsoft, I was
told that any time you had a new program or make a major change to your
computer, you will have to actually call the Microsoft number on the
registration screen to get a new key code from them. This is a huge
problem. I am in school and will be adding new programs through out my
next three years. I had really thought about dumping Windows Vista, but
all the drivers for my new computer are only created for the Vista image.

It's no use suggesting XP because the activation situation is the same
and will likely get worse, I imagine the bloke in Bombay who pretends to
be Microsoft will have job security until they realize it's costing them
millions in lost customers and thousands of staff on the payroll to
answer the phone, then they'll decide it does nothing to stop the real
pirates and give it up.

Microsoft have made sure in the License Agreement that you have no legal
recourse if they refuse to re-activate it, you will have to simply buy a
new copy, so you and all your other legitimate software are entirely at
the mercy of the aforementioned dude in Bombay or wherever he is.

To cover yourself against being offline investigate a Linux Live CD
which will enable you to use the internet from the CD without any other
software and without needing to install anything or remove anything from
your disk drives. You can download this now, burn a CD and make sure it
works and then you will know for sure.

So far I've had to reactivate 5 machines, 3 of which decided there had
been significant hardware changes despite the fact that all that had
happened was that a Microsoft Automatic update has installed and
restarted the machine.

 

[Ian Betts]

You don't have to buy a second key. Use the Activation routine, in that
routine there is an option to activate by phone, use it. You will have to
go through a few automated menus but ultimately, you will get to an
operator. Tell the operator what you have done and you should be given a
new activation number over the phone.

As you say Michael, It works that way and only needs it if you reload Vista

 

[Alias]

Alias wrote:



No! Only if the driver update affects the BIOS.

Oh, only when it affect the BIOS, MS will accuse you of being a thief.
Thanks for the clarification.

Not so with Ubuntu ;-)

We're not talking about that toy os,urbuttoo, in case you didn't notice.

I am.

Nothing like

Well mr urbuttoo linux liar who can't afford to purchase Vista, nobody
but you feels like a thief.

Logic impaired individuals such as yourself are not expected to understand.

I wonder why that is...hummm?
Frank

I'm not logic impaired like you, of course!

 

[Frank]

Oh, only when it affect the BIOS, MS will accuse you of being a thief.
Thanks for the clarification.



I am.



Logic impaired individuals such as yourself are not expected to understand.



I'm not logic impaired like you, of course!

Logic? You act like a thief, you sound like a thief and logic says
you're a thief. Otherwise why would you deny being a thief?
Logically speaking.
Frank

 

[Adam Albright]

Alias wrote:

Logic? You act like a thief, you sound like a thief and logic says
you're a thief. Otherwise why would you deny being a thief?
Logically speaking.
Frank

You want logic?

Frank, you act like damn fool, you sound like a damn fool, you whine,
bitch and scream daily like a damn fool, therefore logic says you ARE
a damn fool.

Any questions?