Can't Activate Vista, Microsoft no help!!!

Simian

Simian

Simian

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Joined
19 Oct 2002
Posts
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Swindoniantown
Well that was a waste of an evening!!...

I spent most of yesterday evening reinstalling Vista64 on my Laptop only to find I have to do it again so I can 'Activate' it!! :mad:

Many places (including here) told me that re-installing my HP laptop with the copy of Vista I got from Technet the other month rather than the bloated full of crap version from HP (Recovery discs).

Well it won't let me activate, so I phoned Microsoft, as I was told that they would do it over the phone "No Problems"...

All I got was an Indian Lady telling me 'Blah Blah Blah Against Microsoft Policy Blah Blah Blah Re-install using the original HP discs blah Blah Blah"... :mad:

I don't want to have to put the Bloated version back on, but looks like I have to!!... :(

Sim.
 
Did you install using the key on the sticker under your laptop? I did that with mine and it went through ok with no bloatware :)
 
Yep, I used the Key on the Sticker and it says "Can not Activate with that CD Key" or summut like that!.. :mad:

I was told it'd work!... :(
 
I made the same mistake.

Previously I have found vista keys work on all vista disks. Unlike XP where you had to use a particular OEM or retail media.


The new technet version of Vista has SP2 integrated, so I thought I'd use that. It's a crud version specifically designed to not to activate with retail or oem keys.

new anti piracy nonsense that just burns the legitimate users. Back to old sp1 media with silly updates to download then.
 
I think someone may have been confused at inadvertently told you wrong information. You must use an OEM disk with the OEM key top activate windows. In most cases I've found, you normally have to use the automated activation process but normally isn't a problem.

Problems I have encountered is where the date in the BIOS is set- incorrect meaning it's expired before it starts. I also had one of my workshop XP disk that failed to work with someones license. I just used another disk and that worked fine.

My advice is get your hands on an Vista OEM disk.. unlike XP, all disks are the same as it's the license key that activates the version.
 
Can't get an OEM disk :(

Looks like its back to the old 'Bloated' HP recovery discs I made at the start.. Uninstall all the Extra Crap and then install SP2 on top...

Smeggin' Bum-Fluff!!.. :mad::mad:
 
As admiral said, looks like you've been told duff info. Re-install using your HP OEM disk, and then do a google search for HPStrip, hopefully it's still around, basically it can remove all HP branded software, mainly their security protection crap software etc ... or just spend 30 mins and remove it all yourself, not a big task really to clean Windows up
 
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I think it's a case of Microsoft have changed the technet iso's.

The iso's from technet used to be "equivalent" or the same as oem media allowing you to input a valid key and activate, or a technet key and test. This now appears to have changed.

This kinda makes technet subscriptions pretty useless for some, if it is the case, and MS continue the same practice across the board for software.
 
So is there a need for a Vista OEM disk with any OEM key now? I always though Vista discs were the same, just x86 and x64 versions, whereas XP has several different types. Would an old Vista SP1 disc work with an OEM key? The disc was created from a direct download from MS (student version).
 
Why not get a non technet version?

I did that with my OEM Vista32bit (downloaded 64bit SP1 integrated) and it works fine and activates as OEM Vista 64.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
Simian, where are located?
Click to expand...

In Swindon.. :)

Burnsy2023 said:
Yes you can. HP must provide you with standard install discs if you request it.
Click to expand...

roflcakes22 said:
Yeah, HP charge £28 for replacements and it takes 3-4 weeks to arrive lol ...
Click to expand...

I'm a little Broke at the mo!.. which is why I've not done this!.. Plus the version they send is the 'Bloated' HP Recovery disks I made at the start!.. :(

I don't wanna have to (naughty) Download an OEM version of Vista as it'll probly have loads of bug n stuff knowing my luck!.. Plus its Baaad M'Kay :D
 
I can only assume the technet ISO is causing problems OR SP2 is doing the same thing.

I can assure you that my OEM license key works absolutely fine on the copy of the retail version of Vista X64 SP1 I have.
 
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