Windows Vista Forums

How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required
  1. #1


    InsaneEyeDoctor Guest

    How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required

    How many reinstalls of Vista Ultimate are allowed before I'll have to call in
    for re-authorization? If a disabled veteran without a lot of money is trying
    to learn how to lay out a basic network with Active Directory on Server 2003
    with Vista Ultimate Client(s), and use Virtualization technology in the
    process, what would be the best thing for them to do. I'm interested in
    trying both OS's as Hosts for Virtual Networking. Unfortunately, I don't
    qualify for Vista Enterprise. What would your recommendation be as to how to
    do this as cost-effectively as possible without rapidly hitting the reinstall
    limitations begun with Windows XP?
    --
    Help Disabled American Veterans reclaim the future they sacrificed in
    service to our nation and world security in general. Put someone in a
    wheelchair in front of a computer with the right software!



      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  2. #2


    Tiberius Guest

    Re: How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required

    you cannot install the same vista product key *license* on more than one
    machine physical or virtual.

    however if you want, there is a free virtual machine download *VHD* that is
    actually Vista that will last for 30 days...

    do you want that?


    "InsaneEyeDoctor" <hdobel@hotmail.com.(like I don''''t get spam already?)>
    wrote in message news:E86F7B51-524C-409B-84DB-666E0E970F51@microsoft.com...
    > How many reinstalls of Vista Ultimate are allowed before I'll have to call
    > in
    > for re-authorization? If a disabled veteran without a lot of money is
    > trying
    > to learn how to lay out a basic network with Active Directory on Server
    > 2003
    > with Vista Ultimate Client(s), and use Virtualization technology in the
    > process, what would be the best thing for them to do. I'm interested in
    > trying both OS's as Hosts for Virtual Networking. Unfortunately, I don't
    > qualify for Vista Enterprise. What would your recommendation be as to how
    > to
    > do this as cost-effectively as possible without rapidly hitting the
    > reinstall
    > limitations begun with Windows XP?
    > --
    > Help Disabled American Veterans reclaim the future they sacrificed in
    > service to our nation and world security in general. Put someone in a
    > wheelchair in front of a computer with the right software!




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #3


    Tiberius Guest

    Re: How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required

    Microsoft Windows Vista 30-Day Eval VHD

    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

    you can download virtual pc that is free to load this on...

    hope this helps

    "InsaneEyeDoctor" <hdobel@hotmail.com.(like I don''''t get spam already?)>
    wrote in message news:E86F7B51-524C-409B-84DB-666E0E970F51@microsoft.com...
    > How many reinstalls of Vista Ultimate are allowed before I'll have to call
    > in
    > for re-authorization? If a disabled veteran without a lot of money is
    > trying
    > to learn how to lay out a basic network with Active Directory on Server
    > 2003
    > with Vista Ultimate Client(s), and use Virtualization technology in the
    > process, what would be the best thing for them to do. I'm interested in
    > trying both OS's as Hosts for Virtual Networking. Unfortunately, I don't
    > qualify for Vista Enterprise. What would your recommendation be as to how
    > to
    > do this as cost-effectively as possible without rapidly hitting the
    > reinstall
    > limitations begun with Windows XP?
    > --
    > Help Disabled American Veterans reclaim the future they sacrificed in
    > service to our nation and world security in general. Put someone in a
    > wheelchair in front of a computer with the right software!




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  4. #4


    InsaneEyeDoctor Guest

    Re: How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required

    How many reinstalls to the same machine will Vista Ultimate allow before it
    requires phone calls for activation? Please do not repeat the same answer to
    this question. We are not talking about installing Vista Ultimate to more
    than one machine. From your reply I understand now that there is absolutely
    no difference between an OEM and a Retail version.....if your computer burns
    down your Retail copy of Ultimate is absolutely useless, just like the OEM
    version would be. You can't build yourself a new computer with better parts
    and put the retail version on it because it was already installed once on a
    machine that no longer exists. This is certainly going to make the news!

    --
    Help Disabled American Veterans reclaim the future they sacrificed in
    service to our nation and world security in general. Put someone in a
    wheelchair in front of a computer with the right software!


    "Tiberius" wrote:

    > you cannot install the same vista product key *license* on more than one
    > machine physical or virtual.
    >
    > however if you want, there is a free virtual machine download *VHD* that is
    > actually Vista that will last for 30 days...
    >
    > do you want that?
    >
    >
    > "InsaneEyeDoctor" <hdobel@hotmail.com.(like I don''''t get spam already?)>
    > wrote in message news:E86F7B51-524C-409B-84DB-666E0E970F51@microsoft.com...
    > > How many reinstalls of Vista Ultimate are allowed before I'll have to call
    > > in
    > > for re-authorization? If a disabled veteran without a lot of money is
    > > trying
    > > to learn how to lay out a basic network with Active Directory on Server
    > > 2003
    > > with Vista Ultimate Client(s), and use Virtualization technology in the
    > > process, what would be the best thing for them to do. I'm interested in
    > > trying both OS's as Hosts for Virtual Networking. Unfortunately, I don't
    > > qualify for Vista Enterprise. What would your recommendation be as to how
    > > to
    > > do this as cost-effectively as possible without rapidly hitting the
    > > reinstall
    > > limitations begun with Windows XP?
    > > --
    > > Help Disabled American Veterans reclaim the future they sacrificed in
    > > service to our nation and world security in general. Put someone in a
    > > wheelchair in front of a computer with the right software!

    >
    >
    >


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  5. #5


    Dave Guest

    Re: How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required

    I'm not positive about the answer to your first question, but I think in
    theory, it's infinite.

    You can install the retail version on another computer that you build, if
    you have the DVD... you just have to telephone to activate it.

    You cannot legally install a OEM version on a new computer.


    "InsaneEyeDoctor" <hdobel@hotmail.com.(like I don''''t get spam already?)>
    wrote in message news:8F1E9D7D-1594-45EA-A5B4-7F9B06D43105@microsoft.com...
    > How many reinstalls to the same machine will Vista Ultimate allow before
    > it
    > requires phone calls for activation? Please do not repeat the same answer
    > to
    > this question. We are not talking about installing Vista Ultimate to more
    > than one machine. From your reply I understand now that there is
    > absolutely
    > no difference between an OEM and a Retail version.....if your computer
    > burns
    > down your Retail copy of Ultimate is absolutely useless, just like the OEM
    > version would be. You can't build yourself a new computer with better
    > parts
    > and put the retail version on it because it was already installed once on
    > a
    > machine that no longer exists. This is certainly going to make the news!
    >
    > --
    > Help Disabled American Veterans reclaim the future they sacrificed in
    > service to our nation and world security in general. Put someone in a
    > wheelchair in front of a computer with the right software!
    >
    >
    > "Tiberius" wrote:
    >
    >> you cannot install the same vista product key *license* on more than one
    >> machine physical or virtual.
    >>
    >> however if you want, there is a free virtual machine download *VHD* that
    >> is
    >> actually Vista that will last for 30 days...
    >>
    >> do you want that?
    >>
    >>
    >> "InsaneEyeDoctor" <hdobel@hotmail.com.(like I don''''t get spam
    >> already?)>
    >> wrote in message
    >> news:E86F7B51-524C-409B-84DB-666E0E970F51@microsoft.com...
    >> > How many reinstalls of Vista Ultimate are allowed before I'll have to
    >> > call
    >> > in
    >> > for re-authorization? If a disabled veteran without a lot of money is
    >> > trying
    >> > to learn how to lay out a basic network with Active Directory on Server
    >> > 2003
    >> > with Vista Ultimate Client(s), and use Virtualization technology in the
    >> > process, what would be the best thing for them to do. I'm interested in
    >> > trying both OS's as Hosts for Virtual Networking. Unfortunately, I
    >> > don't
    >> > qualify for Vista Enterprise. What would your recommendation be as to
    >> > how
    >> > to
    >> > do this as cost-effectively as possible without rapidly hitting the
    >> > reinstall
    >> > limitations begun with Windows XP?
    >> > --
    >> > Help Disabled American Veterans reclaim the future they sacrificed in
    >> > service to our nation and world security in general. Put someone in a
    >> > wheelchair in front of a computer with the right software!

    >>
    >>
    >>


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  6. #6


    KristleBawl Guest

    Re: How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required

    He doesn't know, he gave up on Vista too soon.

    I don't think anyone has counted them yet, but I read that you can
    reactivate online a certain number of times 'within' some number of days
    before needing to call, so I think that implies that after 90 or 120 days,
    or whatever the number is, then you get to reactivate online again for a
    while longer.

    If that's true, then it would depend on how often you needed to reinstall
    and reactivate, too.

    However, people have posted that the phone reactivation is toll-free and
    takes less than 5 minutes.

    I wish I could give you a more specific answer.

    KB

    "InsaneEyeDoctor" wrote in message
    news:8F1E9D7D-1594-45EA-A5B4-7F9B06D43105@microsoft.com...
    > How many reinstalls to the same machine will Vista Ultimate allow before
    > it
    > requires phone calls for activation? Please do not repeat the same answer
    > to
    > this question. We are not talking about installing Vista Ultimate to more
    > than one machine. From your reply I understand now that there is
    > absolutely
    > no difference between an OEM and a Retail version.....if your computer
    > burns
    > down your Retail copy of Ultimate is absolutely useless, just like the OEM
    > version would be. You can't build yourself a new computer with better
    > parts
    > and put the retail version on it because it was already installed once on
    > a
    > machine that no longer exists. This is certainly going to make the news!
    >
    >
    > "Tiberius" wrote:
    >
    >> you cannot install the same vista product key *license* on more than one
    >> machine physical or virtual.
    >>
    >> however if you want, there is a free virtual machine download *VHD* that
    >> is
    >> actually Vista that will last for 30 days...
    >>
    >> do you want that?
    >>


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  7. #7


    Ken Blake, MVP Guest

    Re: How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required

    On Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:42:02 -0700, InsaneEyeDoctor
    <hdobel@hotmail.com.(like I don''''t get spam already?)> wrote:

    >From your reply I understand now that there is absolutely
    >no difference between an OEM and a Retail version.....if your computer burns
    >down your Retail copy of Ultimate is absolutely useless, just like the OEM
    >version would be. You can't build yourself a new computer with better parts
    >and put the retail version on it because it was already installed once on a
    >machine that no longer exists.



    You understand incorrectly. That's not at all true. Like previous
    versions, you can move a retail copy (not an OEM copy) of Vista from
    computer to computer as often as you need or want to.

    --
    Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
    Please Reply to the Newsgroup

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  8. #8


    Rock Guest

    Re: How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required

    "InsaneEyeDoctor" wrote
    > How many reinstalls to the same machine will Vista Ultimate allow before
    > it
    > requires phone calls for activation?


    The activation database is reset after a time, I believe it's 120 days, so
    if it's been longer than that between installations it will go through on
    the internet.

    > Please do not repeat the same answer to
    > this question. We are not talking about installing Vista Ultimate to more
    > than one machine. From your reply I understand now that there is
    > absolutely
    > no difference between an OEM and a Retail version.....if your computer
    > burns
    > down your Retail copy of Ultimate is absolutely useless, just like the OEM
    > version would be.


    That's not so. A retail version can be reinstalled on the same computer, or
    moved to a different computer if first uininstalled from the one it's on, as
    many times as you want.

    <snip>

    --
    Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  9. #9


    Stephan Rose Guest

    Re: How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required

    On Tue, 19 Jun 2007 01:10:27 -0700, Rock wrote:

    > "InsaneEyeDoctor" wrote
    >> How many reinstalls to the same machine will Vista Ultimate allow before
    >> it
    >> requires phone calls for activation?

    >
    > The activation database is reset after a time, I believe it's 120 days, so
    > if it's been longer than that between installations it will go through on
    > the internet.
    >
    >> Please do not repeat the same answer to
    >> this question. We are not talking about installing Vista Ultimate to more
    >> than one machine. From your reply I understand now that there is
    >> absolutely
    >> no difference between an OEM and a Retail version.....if your computer
    >> burns
    >> down your Retail copy of Ultimate is absolutely useless, just like the OEM
    >> version would be.

    >
    > That's not so. A retail version can be reinstalled on the same computer, or
    > moved to a different computer if first uininstalled from the one it's on, as
    > many times as you want.


    So what if someone has an OEM version and their motherboard and a few
    other component die due to say a lightning strike and they need to replace
    them?

    It's not a new computer....still the same computer just with new
    replacement parts.

    --
    Stephan
    2003 Yamaha R6

    君のこと思い出す日なんてないのは
    君のこと忘れたときがないから

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  10. #10


    Larry Maturo Guest

    Re: How many Reinstalls before Phone Call Required

    Hi Stephan,

    If you get a lightening strike, call MS to reactivate, and tell them
    of your woes. It's not in their best interest to make customers mad,
    so I imagine if you haven't done anything suspecious in the past that they
    would be happy to help.

    -- Larry Maturo

    "Stephan Rose" <nospam@spammer.com> wrote in message
    news:RsydneNBzrP4leXbnZ2dnUVZ8qydnZ2d@giganews.com...
    > On Tue, 19 Jun 2007 01:10:27 -0700, Rock wrote:
    >
    >> "InsaneEyeDoctor" wrote
    >>> How many reinstalls to the same machine will Vista Ultimate allow before
    >>> it
    >>> requires phone calls for activation?

    >>
    >> The activation database is reset after a time, I believe it's 120 days,
    >> so
    >> if it's been longer than that between installations it will go through on
    >> the internet.
    >>
    >>> Please do not repeat the same answer to
    >>> this question. We are not talking about installing Vista Ultimate to
    >>> more
    >>> than one machine. From your reply I understand now that there is
    >>> absolutely
    >>> no difference between an OEM and a Retail version.....if your computer
    >>> burns
    >>> down your Retail copy of Ultimate is absolutely useless, just like the
    >>> OEM
    >>> version would be.

    >>
    >> That's not so. A retail version can be reinstalled on the same computer,
    >> or
    >> moved to a different computer if first uininstalled from the one it's on,
    >> as
    >> many times as you want.

    >
    > So what if someone has an OEM version and their motherboard and a few
    > other component die due to say a lightning strike and they need to replace
    > them?
    >
    > It's not a new computer....still the same computer just with new
    > replacement parts.
    >
    > --
    > Stephan
    > 2003 Yamaha R6
    >
    > ????????????????
    > ??????????????




      My System SpecsSystem Spec

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