Windows asking me to activate Vista again (activation)

I got a notification that I need to activate my Windows Vista Ultimate within
two days. When I looked at the options, I read that I already used the
activation key, the one that came with Windows Vista package, before so I
either had to buy a new one, use a new one, use an automated phone system, or
just contact Microsoft. All these options are not acceptable - ultimately it
would mean I have to buy another Windows Vista Ultimate just so I can keep
using it when I already bought it before.

I'm aware of an update that resolves this, however, I could not use that
update since it claimed I was in no need of it: I bought Windows Vista in
retail, not from OEM or Volume Licensing.

I bought Vista sometime in middle of April, and there were absolutely no
hardware changes other than adding and removing two memory sticks. I have
however, changed the BIOS frequently...

One of the BIOS updates must have touched the hard drive controllers, thus
Vista thinks it has been moved to a new hard drive and wants to be
re-activated. And actually, your assumption that you will be forced to buy
a new Vista license is incorrect. Just use the telephone activation process
and your copy of Vista will be re-activated.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
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"Bird" <Bird@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E6642BCE-E9AD-49D8-9A2A-9FDC61DA5226@microsoft.com...
>I got a notification that I need to activate my Windows Vista Ultimate
>within
> two days. When I looked at the options, I read that I already used the
> activation key, the one that came with Windows Vista package, before so I
> either had to buy a new one, use a new one, use an automated phone system,
> or
> just contact Microsoft. All these options are not acceptable - ultimately
> it
> would mean I have to buy another Windows Vista Ultimate just so I can keep
> using it when I already bought it before.
>
> I'm aware of an update that resolves this, however, I could not use that
> update since it claimed I was in no need of it: I bought Windows Vista in
> retail, not from OEM or Volume Licensing.
>
> I bought Vista sometime in middle of April, and there were absolutely no
> hardware changes other than adding and removing two memory sticks. I have
> however, changed the BIOS frequently...

Shame that making a phone call is unacceptable to you, as that is what you
have to do to remedy your problem.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)



"Bird" <Bird@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E6642BCE-E9AD-49D8-9A2A-9FDC61DA5226@microsoft.com...
>I got a notification that I need to activate my Windows Vista Ultimate
>within
> two days. When I looked at the options, I read that I already used the
> activation key, the one that came with Windows Vista package, before so I
> either had to buy a new one, use a new one, use an automated phone system,
> or
> just contact Microsoft. All these options are not acceptable - ultimately
> it
> would mean I have to buy another Windows Vista Ultimate just so I can keep
> using it when I already bought it before.
>
> I'm aware of an update that resolves this, however, I could not use that
> update since it claimed I was in no need of it: I bought Windows Vista in
> retail, not from OEM or Volume Licensing.
>
> I bought Vista sometime in middle of April, and there were absolutely no
> hardware changes other than adding and removing two memory sticks. I have
> however, changed the BIOS frequently...

I guess I made an ass out of myself with the phrase "not acceptable". I'll
try using the phone service. I was a bit afraid that since I lived overseas,
such option might be complicated. Anyways, sorry for that statement and
thanks for the suggestion.

Richard G. Harper wrote:
> One of the BIOS updates must have touched the hard drive controllers, thus
> Vista thinks it has been moved to a new hard drive and wants to be
> re-activated. And actually, your assumption that you will be forced to buy
> a new Vista license is incorrect. Just use the telephone activation process
> and your copy of Vista will be re-activated.
>

For how long and why should the OP have to bend over for MS' inspection
when the OP PAID for the product and did not move it to another machine?

Alias

Bird wrote:
> I guess I made an ass out of myself with the phrase "not acceptable". I'll
> try using the phone service. I was a bit afraid that since I lived overseas,
> such option might be complicated. Anyways, sorry for that statement and
> thanks for the suggestion.

If you're sick of the activation crap, try Ubuntu, a free operating
system that requires no activation and no WGA. In addition, Ubuntu Linux
doesn't need an anti virus, software firewall or any anti-malware
applications. Check it out at www.ubuntu.com and order the free Live CD
which you can use to try it out without installing it. They will ship it
to you and even pay the postage. Not only can you install it on as many
computers as you like, you can copy it and give a copy to all of your
friends.

Alias

Am I supposed to talk to the customer service rep. about this issue or was
this whole process supposed to be automated? I was prompted about my
installation ID and so I did provide them. The service told me I already used
it or the key so I was offered to talk to the representative.

Before I do talk to the rep., I was wondering whether there was something I
did wrong, whether this whole process was supposed to be automated.

Bird wrote:
> Am I supposed to talk to the customer service rep. about this issue or was
> this whole process supposed to be automated? I was prompted about my
> installation ID and so I did provide them. The service told me I already used
> it or the key so I was offered to talk to the representative.
>
> Before I do talk to the rep., I was wondering whether there was something I
> did wrong, whether this whole process was supposed to be automated.

Talk to a rep, tell them what you did and hope they give you an ID. You
have no choice now unless you want to dump Vista and get a decent
operating system like Ubuntu.

Alias

"Bird" <Bird@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1AF008B7-6D25-4C3D-A1A5-E5213F71F18F@microsoft.com...
> Am I supposed to talk to the customer service rep. about this issue or was
> this whole process supposed to be automated? I was prompted about my
> installation ID and so I did provide them. The service told me I already
> used
> it or the key so I was offered to talk to the representative.
>
> Before I do talk to the rep., I was wondering whether there was something
> I
> did wrong, whether this whole process was supposed to be automated.


As has been repeatedly stated here numerous times by myself and other - just
talk to the rep to reactivate.
You did nothing wrong.
There are 2 ways to activate Windows - over the internet or by telephone.
Both are automated UNLESS in either case your key has already been used then
you will have to fall through the telephone automated system to eventually
speak to a person who will do the activation with you after confirming a few
obvious questions with you. (like the type of key you are using OEM, Retail,
MSDN etc and that you are not in breach of your license agreement by
attempting to install the product on multiple PCs).
If you want further information about activation just do a search for the
word activation on the Microsoft web site.

--

Mike Brannigan

Mike Brannigan wrote:
> "Bird" <Bird@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:1AF008B7-6D25-4C3D-A1A5-E5213F71F18F@microsoft.com...
>> Am I supposed to talk to the customer service rep. about this issue or
>> was
>> this whole process supposed to be automated? I was prompted about my
>> installation ID and so I did provide them. The service told me I
>> already used
>> it or the key so I was offered to talk to the representative.
>>
>> Before I do talk to the rep., I was wondering whether there was
>> something I
>> did wrong, whether this whole process was supposed to be automated.
>
>
> As has been repeatedly stated here numerous times by myself and other -
> just talk to the rep to reactivate.
> You did nothing wrong.

Yeah, but the OP thinks may he or she did. This is the result of MS'
marketing FUD!

> There are 2 ways to activate Windows - over the internet or by telephone.
> Both are automated UNLESS in either case your key has already been used
> then you will have to fall through the telephone automated system to
> eventually speak to a person who will do the activation with you after
> confirming a few obvious questions with you. (like the type of key you
> are using OEM, Retail, MSDN etc and that you are not in breach of your
> license agreement by attempting to install the product on multiple PCs).
> If you want further information about activation just do a search for
> the word activation on the Microsoft web site.
>

Fact: the OP did not install it on two computers.

Fact: the OP paid for it

Why, then, does the OP have to waste his or her time calling MS to prove
he or she is not a pirate when the failure to activate is due to the
flaky activation program?

The ironic thing is that people who use pirated copies of Vista don't
have to jump through these hoops.

Alias