vista home and premium problem

Ive brought a new cr33 vaio laptop from china, after 30 days of using it over here in england it has told me i need to register the vista ultimate that is running on it. Ive tried this by entering the product key underneath the laptop but that is for vista HOME software not vista ultimate.

Is they anything i can do to register my vista ultimate since it has already been installed with out me paying since i have already payed for it.

Lewis_ said:

Ive brought a new cr33 vaio laptop from china, after 30 days of using it over here in england it has told me i need to register the vista ultimate that is running on it. Ive tried this by entering the product key underneath the laptop but that is for vista HOME software not vista ultimate.

Is they anything i can do to register my vista ultimate since it has already been installed with out me paying since i have already payed for it.

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I have two questions for you:

1. Do you have a valid "Certificate of Authenticity" stuck at the bottom of the laptop? (For info, see here: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/85023-product-key-number.html)
2. Did you get any kind of rescue DVDs with it? Or at the very least, there should be a hidden partition on the hard disk from which you can create your own rescue media?

If you answered "Yes" to both, then you can safely register with Microsoft. If not, then I'd suggest contacting the place where you bought the laptop...

Yes i got the validation sticker but its for windows vista home prem not ultimate that was installed on the laptop when i brought it from china, I didnt get a cd with it he installed it all in the shop, im worried about downgrading to home vista from home prem although i have the vista home product key because he intalled 2 extra drives on it and i dont want to mess with them.

i can also only acess my computer with "reduced functionality" which only lets me acess the interent to buy a product key for vista ultimate which i have already payed for. i can acess other websites by changing the web adress but i cannot acess my desktop.

Lewis_ said:

Yes i got the validation sticker but its for windows vista home prem not ultimate that was installed on the laptop when i brought it from china, I didnt get a cd with it he installed it all in the shop, im worried about downgrading to home vista from home prem although i have the vista home product key because he intalled 2 extra drives on it and i dont want to mess with them

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If your COA sticker is for Vista Home Premium, and you have Ultimate installed, then you have two choices:

1. Change the product key of the system to the one that appears on the COA - this way you should have a legit Windows Vista Home Premium installation.
2. Purchase a legit Vista Ultimate licence key.

Lewis_ said:

i can also only acess my computer with "reduced functionality" which only lets me acess the interent to buy a product key for vista ultimate which i have already payed for. i can acess other websites by changing the web adress but i cannot acess my desktop.

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Reduced Functionality Mode is indended to help reduce piracy, which I strongly believe is whats happened to you, seing as the installation of Ultimate does not want to activate...

You have an illegal copy of Ultimate installed. You could pay to upgrade your licensed version underneath to Ultimate. I would suggest buying a upgrade to Vista Ultimate license.

Ok thanks can you go into a bit more detail on how to "Change the product key of the system to the one that appears on the COA - this way you should have a legit Windows Vista Home Premium installation."

Thanks

Call Microsoft and verify the key on the bottom is a legit key and not a fake. If legit, you can buy an Ultimate upgrade from that version to get the correct key. You could uninstall and install that key version from a media kit.

Ive already got ultimate on my system with a legit home prem key though it reconises its legit when i enter it, it just says i need am ultimate key.

If i downgrade to home prem with a cd it will wipe all my files, but will it get rid of the drives that i have added to it and the programs that have been put on it to make them work?

I wil make this simple.

First, do you have the CD for your home premium? If not, you can't use a upgrade CD to reinstall a upgrade to Ultmate. You need the previous full copy to upgrade to.

1.) Buy an upgrade from your current key Home Premium to Utlimate

Home Premium to Ultimate: You've experienced Windows Vista Home Premium and you're ready for the best of everything Windows Vista has to offer! With an upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate, you'll have all the capabilities you enjoy in Windows Vista Home Premium—plus all the power and convenience of Windows Vista Business.
PRICE: $159.00*

You will need the Full Home Premium CD for future reinstalls on a upgrade CD.

2.) Backup your data to an external source and reinstall with Home Premium.

I would still call Microsoft to verify the key, if you purchased the laptop directly from China. Microsoft has many complaint about Chinese piracy of Vista.

can i not get a windows vista ultimate key without paying as ive brought vista ultimate but have a different validation sticker

Did it state on the bill of sale that it included Vista Ultimate? How did you buy it? eBay?

yes it does and i brought it in china

Contact them and dispute the licensing issue. If a legit source, ask for a refund or a legal COA certificate for Ultimate. Otherwise, buy the upgrade. I would be hestitant to return it to a unknown seller. You might not get a refund. Did you buy it on a credit card? If yes, ask for a refund. You can dispute it with your credit card company. They can help you.

SCSIraidGURU said:

First, do you have the CD for your home premium? If not, you can't use a upgrade CD to reinstall a upgrade to Ultmate. You need the previous full copy to upgrade to.

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Yes but not with one that came with the laptop

Ok thanks

Lewis_ said:

Ok thanks can you go into a bit more detail on how to "Change the product key of the system to the one that appears on the COA - this way you should have a legit Windows Vista Home Premium installation."

Thanks

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Generally, you need to get into "Control Panel"->"System and Maintenance"->"System". At the very bottom of that screen, is a link "Change product key".

If you cant get into Control Panel, is there not something similar when you boot and it enters reduced functionality mode? (Other than taking you to a website where you can buy a licence)

I can log into it in safe mode, there is two other options two but i cant remeber them but they are run in safemode then it says something else.

Il try going into control panel

You still need a valid Ultimate license to stay at that OS. I don't believe it allows you do downgrade from there.

"activation status is not avaidable in safe mode" i can run windows in either -

safe mode

safe mode with networking

safe mode with command promts

If i go into reduced functionailty after i have enterd the legit product key and it says you need a windows vista ultimate key i can not acces desktop or control panel

any ideas?