Vista - Upgrade to 64-bit cleared my Vista key

Ok, so here's my dilemma:

My Vista Home Premium Upgrade product key was used on another computer. So,
when I installed it on another machine, I ordered an additional key off of
Microsoft's site. I used that, and then decided to use the offer inside my
Vista case to get the upgrade disc to 64-bit Vista. I installed it, happy
day, and when I went to check my computer settings, I saw that I had 3 days
to activate. Activation failed. So, I log onto Microsoft to see my past
order history, and went to find the product key that I'd ordered, and am
delighted to see that the very same page that had the key on it before is now
blank, and just has my payment information and address on it. I never got a
key mailed to me physically, just the one online, which I assumed could be
accessed at any time considering this is the year 2008.

So, here I am, finally running 64-bit Vista, and it's going to be dead in 2
days. All I've got is a used product key. Any suggestions...?

I should also mention that my machine is a custom build, and I'm getting a
new motherboard today, which undoubtedly will cause more havoc.

When you received the 64 bit Home Premium upgrade DVD it did not come with a
new key it uses the same key as the 32 bit upgrade DVD you purchased. In
other words you can use the key that came with the 32bit upgrade DVD to
install either 32 bit HP or 64 bit HP but not both on two separate systems.
"stunngun" <stunngun@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:C2B1AF30-16B1-4A6D-8167-F89FC9E51755@xxxxxx

It's the same system. My key is just gone from the order page, so even if I
tossed this 64 bit and went back to 32, I'd have no way to activate Windows.
Suddenly changing to 64 bit seems like the biggest mistake of my life.

I'll try again You activate the 64 bit version with the key that came with
your 32 bit version. You were not given a new key.
"stunngun" <stunngun@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:EF927936-E603-4759-95E2-B387F9CD2B64@xxxxxx

You missed the part in the first post where I ordered an additional key. Now
the key is missing from the Order Status page. Savvy?

Use phone activation option. Separate keys are reqired for each version.


"stunngun" <stunngun@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:C2B1AF30-16B1-4A6D-8167-F89FC9E51755@xxxxxx

How many systems do you have installed I was under the impression that you
had two systems one with 32bit installed and one with 64 bit installed. If
you only have one copy of vista HP installed and it is the 64 bit version
then you can use the key that came with your 32 version.
How much did you pay for the additional key if it was only about $10 then
what you ordered was just the 64 bit DVD.
"stunngun" <stunngun@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:6A6C6CA1-6C6E-4CCD-9F01-888D8C67A0FF@xxxxxx

"Curious" <spammenot@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:821BD211-3CC9-4836-8C4B-880A585416F3@xxxxxxThe way I read it is that he had retail 32 bit Home Premium installed on
one PC, then he ordered an additional product key from Microsoft to
install Vista on another PC using the same disk. After that installation
he ordered the 64 bit DVD and installed it, but only has 3 days to
activate it. Activation failed and the new product key is now missing
from his on-line MS account. He should have copied or printed the
original order page.

"Curious" <spammenot@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:821BD211-3CC9-4836-8C4B-880A585416F3@xxxxxxBy purchasing a new pk (license) he in effect has two copies of Vista.