Vista - Installing Vista on a different machine

I installed Vista on my old computer when I first bought the OS off of
Amazon, and decided that I needed a newer faster computer. I decided to
build me one, and I want to install Vista on this computer, and take if off
my other. Vista won't activate my system though because of the Vista
installation on my other computer. Is there a way to free up my Product Key
so I can install it and activate it on my new computer? Thanks. (rubbing
head of major headaches)

At the activation screen, choose the option to activate by phone.
Call Microsoft at the appropriate number for your region, normally
done in about 5 -10 minutes.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Chozomaster" <Chozomaster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F414FCD4-CE79-41F2-9F93-37B672DBED7E@microsoft.com...
>I installed Vista on my old computer when I first bought the OS off
>of
> Amazon, and decided that I needed a newer faster computer. I
> decided to
> build me one, and I want to install Vista on this computer, and take
> if off
> my other. Vista won't activate my system though because of the
> Vista
> installation on my other computer. Is there a way to free up my
> Product Key
> so I can install it and activate it on my new computer? Thanks.
> (rubbing
> head of major headaches)

"Chozomaster" <Chozomaster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F414FCD4-CE79-41F2-9F93-37B672DBED7E@microsoft.com...
>I installed Vista on my old computer when I first bought the OS off of
> Amazon, and decided that I needed a newer faster computer. I decided to
> build me one, and I want to install Vista on this computer, and take if
> off
> my other. Vista won't activate my system though because of the Vista
> installation on my other computer. Is there a way to free up my Product
> Key
> so I can install it and activate it on my new computer? Thanks. (rubbing
> head of major headaches)

Go through the phone activation process, and when you talk to the operator
tell them what you've done. They will issue you a new activation code and
get you activated while still on the phone...

....and make sure you don't run the first copy any more after that...

....jaafaman

Thank you. Everything worked perfectly.

"Chozomaster" wrote:

> I installed Vista on my old computer when I first bought the OS off of
> Amazon, and decided that I needed a newer faster computer. I decided to
> build me one, and I want to install Vista on this computer, and take if off
> my other. Vista won't activate my system though because of the Vista
> installation on my other computer. Is there a way to free up my Product Key
> so I can install it and activate it on my new computer? Thanks. (rubbing
> head of major headaches)

So long as you remove Vista from your old computer there should be no
problem. Simply use the telephone activation. To a point this is automated,
however, if activation cannot proceed you should be directed to a 'real'
person. When you speak to this 'real' person you can explain what you have
done and they can guide you through the activation process. Remember you
need to be in front of your pc when you call because you need to give the
activation person a number that is displayed on your activation details
screen and they need to give you another number that you will need to type
into the available box on the activation screen.

--
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..

"Chozomaster" <Chozomaster@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F414FCD4-CE79-41F2-9F93-37B672DBED7E@microsoft.com...
>I installed Vista on my old computer when I first bought the OS off of
> Amazon, and decided that I needed a newer faster computer. I decided to
> build me one, and I want to install Vista on this computer, and take if
> off
> my other. Vista won't activate my system though because of the Vista
> installation on my other computer. Is there a way to free up my Product
> Key
> so I can install it and activate it on my new computer? Thanks. (rubbing
> head of major headaches)

Chozomaster wrote:
> I installed Vista on my old computer when I first bought the OS off of
> Amazon, and decided that I needed a newer faster computer. I decided to
> build me one, and I want to install Vista on this computer, and take if off
> my other. Vista won't activate my system though because of the Vista
> installation on my other computer. Is there a way to free up my Product Key
> so I can install it and activate it on my new computer? Thanks. (rubbing
> head of major headaches)


Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not transferable), simply
remove it from the older computer and then use telephone activation for
the new installation.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell