Windows Vista Activation via Registry

trrip

trrip

New Member
I am using a fully activated Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit version) system and want to backup my activation entries but I do not know where they are stored. I plan on re-installing Vista at some point in the near future and would like to be able to re-activate it using a simple .reg file. I've done this before back when I ran XP.

What do I need to backup from the registry to successfully do this for Windows Vista?
 

My Computer

System One

Hi
Try Activation Backup and Restore (ABR) tool though it will not back up in form of registry entries.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP d530 SFF
    CPU
    Intel p4 3.00ghz, 2.99ghz with Hyperthreading
    Motherboard
    HP d530 SFF
    Memory
    1 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel i865g, 96mb
    Sound Card
    Soundmax
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 1940 TFT monitor
    Screen Resolution
    60hz
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Cavier Blue 320gb IDE HD
    PSU
    Compaq
    Case
    HP compaq
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Techcom USB keyboard
    Mouse
    HP Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    256kbs

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD
    1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp
    1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset.
    Only ever used a laptop.
    Also use USB Freeview TV Card
    Lenovo Docking Station
    External Speakers
    Other bits a pieces as needed
I've done my research and found no answers, hence coming to this forum and submitting my query. Among my searches I had found the program you suggested. However, to quote the website,

"This is a utility that allows you to backup and restore Windows Vista activation for systems that are pre-installed from the factory by an OEM, allowing you to reinstall the system without having to call Microsoft. It saves the activation to a file and allows you to restore it once you've done a clean install. ABR works with Vista SP1, and on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista."

My Vista is Service Pack 2 I believe so I do not know if this program will work successfully. In addition, since I bought the computer from my girlfriend's brother, I do not know if it is "factory installed". Him and I are not novice users. It could very well be a manual install. I am unsure. Furthermore, I have the product key if I were to do a standard install but that is not my goal. As I stated, I wish to activate Vista via .reg files. Since I don't know much about the registry, I just need to know where the necessary files are located. I know how to export entries/backup/restore.

So my query remains unanswered, though I appreciate your direction, it is not the answer I was looking for.

Maybe it's just my preference, but I have not found the answer anywhere else yet and this is how I want to do this. I want reg files!

If anyone is familiar with Vista's registry and can direct me on specifically which hives I would need to backup, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx in advance,
-Kevin Laliberte
 

My Computer

System One

Hi kevin.
As to what i've observed of vista is that activation details are not stored on registry but encrypted with a name "tokens.dat".
ABR works perfect in this situation as long as you have your vista installation cd plus product key. I did this today using certificate in installation Dvd and it worked as you'll have to rename it as required by ABR.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP d530 SFF
    CPU
    Intel p4 3.00ghz, 2.99ghz with Hyperthreading
    Motherboard
    HP d530 SFF
    Memory
    1 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel i865g, 96mb
    Sound Card
    Soundmax
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 1940 TFT monitor
    Screen Resolution
    60hz
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Cavier Blue 320gb IDE HD
    PSU
    Compaq
    Case
    HP compaq
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Techcom USB keyboard
    Mouse
    HP Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    256kbs
Manyenya said:
Hi kevin.
As to what i've observed of vista is that activation details are not stored on registry but encrypted with a name "tokens.dat".
ABR works perfect in this situation as long as you have your vista installation cd plus product key. I did this today using certificate in installation Dvd and it worked as you'll have to rename it as required by ABR.
Click to expand...

I have a Vista installation disc, not THE disc, but I hope it works all the same. I'm gonna try it. If it doesn't work, I'll activate using more traditional methods I suppose. Thank you for your support. You've been very helpful and informal.
 

My Computer

System One

Have MS send you a Recovery Disc.
The will ask you for data off(make/model) the bottom of your laptop/desktop.
Not sure if they charge for it but worth a call.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilon Elite
    CPU
    Intel(R)Core(TM)2 Quad CPU [email protected]
    Motherboard
    ASUS eK Berkeley
    Memory
    4GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2408 Vivid Color Widescreen LCD
    Cooling
    That's where I keep my beer
    Keyboard
    MS WIRELESS
    Mouse
    MS WIRELESS
    Internet Speed
    AT&T Uverse DSL
trrip said:
[QUOTE
I have a Vista installation disc, not THE disc, but I hope it works all the same. I'm gonna try it. If it doesn't work, I'll activate using more traditional methods I suppose. Thank you for your support. You've been very helpful and informal.
Click to expand...

thanks kevin for your reply and sorry for being informal. The SLIC certificate required by ABR is there in your installation media under Sources folder.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP d530 SFF
    CPU
    Intel p4 3.00ghz, 2.99ghz with Hyperthreading
    Motherboard
    HP d530 SFF
    Memory
    1 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel i865g, 96mb
    Sound Card
    Soundmax
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 1940 TFT monitor
    Screen Resolution
    60hz
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Cavier Blue 320gb IDE HD
    PSU
    Compaq
    Case
    HP compaq
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Techcom USB keyboard
    Mouse
    HP Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    256kbs
ABR will work for you with your system.
Problems sometimes occur when restoring with the program though.
But you can open the .txt file it makes and drag and drop your activation key to activate
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Thinkpad T400
    CPU
    Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo P8700 @ 2.53GHz
    Motherboard
    LENOVO 64734VM
    Memory
    2.00GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 531MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family
    Sound Card
    Conexant 20561 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1280 x 800
    Hard Drives
    1x 180GB Intel 530 series SSD
    1 x 120GB Hitachi 5400rmp
    1 x 650GB Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    1x 1Tb Western Digital Elements 5400rpm
    Internet Speed
    Medium for New Zealand
    Other Info
    Weakest part of my computer is the graphics chipset.
    Only ever used a laptop.
    Also use USB Freeview TV Card
    Lenovo Docking Station
    External Speakers
    Other bits a pieces as needed
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top