Vista - Reinstall Windows Vista, duplicate product key

I have upgraded my Mother board and my CPU after I have installed Windows
Vista. But for some reason my windows vista do not start up and after the
windows vista loading screen, my computer restarts. So I have install a clean
copy of windows vista again on my computer, however, when I tried to activate
the product I have recieved a message "The product key you typed is already
in use", anyone has any idea how to solve this problem?

Rom wrote:

> I have upgraded my Mother board and my CPU after I have installed
> Windows Vista. But for some reason my windows vista do not start up
> and after the windows vista loading screen, my computer restarts. So
> I have install a clean copy of windows vista again on my computer,
> however, when I tried to activate the product I have recieved a
> message "The product key you typed is already in use", anyone has any
> idea how to solve this problem?

Pick up the 'phone and call your local activation number. Tell them
what has happened and they'll give you an activation key.

--
Paul-B

It *IS* already in use - by you. As far as the Microsoft database is
concerned, you are trying to install Vista on a second computer.

Just use the phone activation method.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban MVP
Microsoft Windows Shell/User


"Rom" <Rom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:59EC74CE-D62F-4701-9035-246005FB69AC@microsoft.com...
>I have upgraded my Mother board and my CPU after I have installed Windows
> Vista. But for some reason my windows vista do not start up and after the
> windows vista loading screen, my computer restarts. So I have install a
> clean
> copy of windows vista again on my computer, however, when I tried to
> activate
> the product I have recieved a message "The product key you typed is
> already
> in use", anyone has any idea how to solve this problem?

Just phone the activation line and explain what has happened. The
activation line is a free phone (toll free) number and is usually automated.
You do need to be in front of your PC to complete this process. It shouldn't
take long to do, but, in your case, you may find it somewhat inconvenient in
the sense that you are not talking to a 'real' person and you are ebing
asked to input your product code number etc. Please be patient! Because the
product number has already been refused activation (you are, after all,
already using it yourself and, as far as product activation is concerned, it
appears to them that you are trying to install your copy of vista onto
another computer. You know you're not, but it's impossible to tell a
machine.) you will find that activation will again be refused. But, because
the automated service cannot activate the product it 'then' passes you on to
a 'real' person. You can then explain to the operator what has happened.
He/she will then guide you through the process of reactivating.


--
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
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

"Rom" <Rom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:59EC74CE-D62F-4701-9035-246005FB69AC@microsoft.com...
>I have upgraded my Mother board and my CPU after I have installed Windows
> Vista. But for some reason my windows vista do not start up and after the
> windows vista loading screen, my computer restarts. So I have install a
> clean
> copy of windows vista again on my computer, however, when I tried to
> activate
> the product I have recieved a message "The product key you typed is
> already
> in use", anyone has any idea how to solve this problem?

Hi John:
I have a similar problem. I originally installed a full retail version
of Vista Home Premium on my main media center PC in a dual boot with MCE2005.
I was unable to get so many drivers that I deleted the Vista partition and
built a new computer to use my copy of Vista on. As expected, I did have to
go thru the phone activation and had no problem. Now........something went
wrong on my new Vista computer and after removing an old X800XL video card I
thot might have been causing a failure to boot into the operating system, I
went into safe mode and was able to boot up. I couldn't find the reason for
the boot failure......the pc worked fine for several weeks........so I tried
to use Re-Store in safe mode and I think the removal of the PCIE card and
then re-storing to an earlier re-store point really messed things up. It
won't reboot at all now........not even in safe mode. So......I want to
re-install Vista on 2 new SATA drives set up in RAID 0 and already
partitiioned with an 80 GB partition I could put Vista on. I'm afraid when I
try to activate this they will refuse because it will look like the third
computer I've installed Vista on! I've already deleted the RAID volume with
Vista on the first computer and this install is on the computer they have
already ok'd once, but on two new hard drives with the old one to be used
for storage after I wipe the drive to remove Vista. Is there going to be a
problem getting this okayed? If I had too, I could re-install Vista on the
current Sata drive but it isn't suitable for RAID and I prefer to use the new
ones because they are larger, have NCQ, SMART, and are already on the pc.
What do you think?

xiowan.........in tucson

"John Barnett MVP" wrote:

> Just phone the activation line and explain what has happened. The
> activation line is a free phone (toll free) number and is usually automated.
> You do need to be in front of your PC to complete this process. It shouldn't
> take long to do, but, in your case, you may find it somewhat inconvenient in
> the sense that you are not talking to a 'real' person and you are ebing
> asked to input your product code number etc. Please be patient! Because the
> product number has already been refused activation (you are, after all,
> already using it yourself and, as far as product activation is concerned, it
> appears to them that you are trying to install your copy of vista onto
> another computer. You know you're not, but it's impossible to tell a
> machine.) you will find that activation will again be refused. But, because
> the automated service cannot activate the product it 'then' passes you on to
> a 'real' person. You can then explain to the operator what has happened.
> He/she will then guide you through the process of reactivating.
>
>
> --
> 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
> use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
> mail/post..
>
> "Rom" <Rom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:59EC74CE-D62F-4701-9035-246005FB69AC@microsoft.com...
> >I have upgraded my Mother board and my CPU after I have installed Windows
> > Vista. But for some reason my windows vista do not start up and after the
> > windows vista loading screen, my computer restarts. So I have install a
> > clean
> > copy of windows vista again on my computer, however, when I tried to
> > activate
> > the product I have recieved a message "The product key you typed is
> > already
> > in use", anyone has any idea how to solve this problem?
>
>

Re-installing vista will cause activation problems as vista saves any
previous install in a folder called old windows,so when it comes to
activation time it will scan the harddrive and find your old copy and think
you have a valid copy running/right click on your c/drive and click open then
will see all that is stored on the drive,if you see the file old windows just
delete it/im not surprised this is causing problems as when it happened me
microsofts helpline didnt have clue,i had to figure this one out myself/it
appears vista saves everthing in this file even if you ask it format the
drive .

"xiowan" wrote:

> Hi John:
> I have a similar problem. I originally installed a full retail version
> of Vista Home Premium on my main media center PC in a dual boot with MCE2005.
> I was unable to get so many drivers that I deleted the Vista partition and
> built a new computer to use my copy of Vista on. As expected, I did have to
> go thru the phone activation and had no problem. Now........something went
> wrong on my new Vista computer and after removing an old X800XL video card I
> thot might have been causing a failure to boot into the operating system, I
> went into safe mode and was able to boot up. I couldn't find the reason for
> the boot failure......the pc worked fine for several weeks........so I tried
> to use Re-Store in safe mode and I think the removal of the PCIE card and
> then re-storing to an earlier re-store point really messed things up. It
> won't reboot at all now........not even in safe mode. So......I want to
> re-install Vista on 2 new SATA drives set up in RAID 0 and already
> partitiioned with an 80 GB partition I could put Vista on. I'm afraid when I
> try to activate this they will refuse because it will look like the third
> computer I've installed Vista on! I've already deleted the RAID volume with
> Vista on the first computer and this install is on the computer they have
> already ok'd once, but on two new hard drives with the old one to be used
> for storage after I wipe the drive to remove Vista. Is there going to be a
> problem getting this okayed? If I had too, I could re-install Vista on the
> current Sata drive but it isn't suitable for RAID and I prefer to use the new
> ones because they are larger, have NCQ, SMART, and are already on the pc.
> What do you think?
>
> xiowan.........in tucson
>
> "John Barnett MVP" wrote:
>
> > Just phone the activation line and explain what has happened. The
> > activation line is a free phone (toll free) number and is usually automated.
> > You do need to be in front of your PC to complete this process. It shouldn't
> > take long to do, but, in your case, you may find it somewhat inconvenient in
> > the sense that you are not talking to a 'real' person and you are ebing
> > asked to input your product code number etc. Please be patient! Because the
> > product number has already been refused activation (you are, after all,
> > already using it yourself and, as far as product activation is concerned, it
> > appears to them that you are trying to install your copy of vista onto
> > another computer. You know you're not, but it's impossible to tell a
> > machine.) you will find that activation will again be refused. But, because
> > the automated service cannot activate the product it 'then' passes you on to
> > a 'real' person. You can then explain to the operator what has happened.
> > He/she will then guide you through the process of reactivating.
> >
> >
> > --
> > 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
> > use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
> > mail/post..
> >
> > "Rom" <Rom@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:59EC74CE-D62F-4701-9035-246005FB69AC@microsoft.com...
> > >I have upgraded my Mother board and my CPU after I have installed Windows
> > > Vista. But for some reason my windows vista do not start up and after the
> > > windows vista loading screen, my computer restarts. So I have install a
> > > clean
> > > copy of windows vista again on my computer, however, when I tried to
> > > activate
> > > the product I have recieved a message "The product key you typed is
> > > already
> > > in use", anyone has any idea how to solve this problem?
> >
> >