I would appreciate some input on a problem I'm having. I have been running legitimate Vista Ultimate, activated over the phone, since August of 2007 (date approximate). Last week my motherboard died, so I bought a used MB with a faster CPU already installed. I installed it in my case with my existing HD containing Vista. The PC went through endless finding hardware cycles, installing drivers; finally after rebooting a couple times, it was happy - everything working fine.
About an hour later I got a Windows notice that my Vista was not valid, the product code was already in use. It says I have three days to activate or buy a new copy of Windows.
If anyone has experience with this issue, or if by replacing original hardware (I built myself) I have voided my license; please let me know . If you have called Microsoft to resolve this type of situation, please give me any tips you can.
Sounds like you have the OEM license of Vista, which is tied to the motherboard. I suggest replacing the CPU to the original one, then boot up. If it's successful, shut down again and replace the CPU.
Hello Catfisher,
Activate Vista by phone and tell the operator that you have changed some hardware on your system and you should be OK.
Hope this helps, good luck and post your results.
