Vista - Activation

Hi, I have Vista Ultimate 32 bit (non-OEM) installed but the 30 day
activation has expired

I bought a new copy of Vista Ultimate 32 bit (OEM) and tried to input the
product key but it says it's in use

do I have to re-install the OEM version ? or is there a way of activating
it or istalling the OEM version without having to lose my files?

If you have a 'non-OEM' copy then you have purchased a 'retail copy'. Okay
the 30 day activation has expired but why have you had to go out an buy an
OEM copy? Your product key is in use because 'you' are using it. All you
have to do is select the option to activate over the telephone (see this
link from my website:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/product...ady_in_use.htm ) and go through
the automated activation. You may, again be refused, but stay on the line
and you will be transferred to a 'real' person who should be able to
activate your copy for you.


--
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
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mail/post..



"friendlygiraffe" <friendlygiraffe@xxxxxx> wrote in
message news:F367D719-FAE1-4821-9D95-BB4247D4297F@xxxxxx

Hi,

Why didn't you activate during the 30 days? You have no choice now but to
activate a non-OEM product key, aka a retail key. An OEM key cannot be used
to activate a retail installation and vice versa. To use the OEM key you
will have to install the OEM version. Follow the prompts to do the phone
activation (which is what you should have done in the first place).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"friendlygiraffe" <friendlygiraffe@xxxxxx> wrote in
message news:F367D719-FAE1-4821-9D95-BB4247D4297F@xxxxxx

hi Thanks for your reply

The copy I have installed I borrowed the disc off a friend. to see If I
liked Vista, so obviously the product key for that version is already in use

I have however bought a new copy of vista, and I thought I could simply
enter the product key from that disc but it says it's in use

So I'm hoping I won't have to re-install... hope that makes sense

"John Barnett MVP" wrote:

Hi Thanks for your response - I borrowed the Disc from a friend, then after
the 30 days

"John Barnett MVP" wrote:

Hi FriendlyGiraffe,

This tutorial will show you how to activate your copy of Vista without having to reinstall it. Just change the product key in step one and activate.

Activate Vista by Phone

Shawn

Ok thanks for all the info. I had a feeling I'd have to re-install

I don't suppose there's a way of re-installing without losing all my files /
applications?

Hi,

No, as OEM versions can only be used for clean installations. You'd have to
backup data to removable media. Programs will need to be reinstalled from
their original installation media.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"friendlygiraffe" <friendlygiraffe@xxxxxx> wrote in
message news:E259A0B7-F69F-4ADB-8513-001EB6B4D75D@xxxxxx

ah ok, thanks for all your help

"Rick Rogers" wrote: