I am having trouble activating windows vista

LoGaN_TnT · 28 May 2011 at 16:45

Hello

I have a genuine copy of windows Vista HP 64bit oem that i got from OCUK a few years back and yesterday it was activated and has been for a year or so fine no problem. Then today i have done a reinstall and it will not actervate it says it is not geniune so i gave there activation line a call to be told the same thing and could not get though to speak to anyone as it was a automated line :rolleyes:

So i was wondering if anyone knows whom i am best to get in touch with.

Do Microsoft have a support email or a phone number that is not automated.

Thanks

Surveyor · 28 May 2011 at 17:42

You could try an option from here but you might be out of luck until Tuesday:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/default.aspx?ws=support#tab0

Have you changed any hardware or are you reinstalling onto exactly the same system which Vista was installed onto before?

LoGaN_TnT · 28 May 2011 at 17:56

Thanks for the reply the only things i have changed are the ram and the GFX card

I am sending them a email now

Surveyor · 28 May 2011 at 18:07

Windows Product Activation checks eight different categories of hardware:

•Display Adapter
•SCSI Adapter
•IDE Adapter
•Network Adapter (including the MAC Address)
•RAM Amount Range
•Processor Type and Serial Number
•Hard Drive Device and Volume Serial Number
•Optical Drive (e.g. CD-ROM)

OEM is tied to the original hardware it was activated with.

As you've changed hardware in 2 of the 8 categories perhaps Microsoft now think you need a new licence.

SparkyG · 28 May 2011 at 18:25

I thought win OS's were only tied to the Mobo?

mysticsniper · 28 May 2011 at 18:28

I would give them a call and tell them you had some faulty parts that need replacing, am sure they wouldn't hold that against you

Surveyor · 28 May 2011 at 18:29

SparkyG said:
I thought win OS's were only tied to the Mobo?

The motherboard serial number is one of many items that is referenced when used to determine what computer OEM Windows is installed on.

Having said that I've chopped and changed many PC's and re-installed OEM Windows XP many times.

I don't know if it's different for Vista.

I would try what mysticsniper says.

FallshirmjAEger · 28 May 2011 at 21:41

OEM XP is just XP but cheaper and with different T&C's.

Vista OEM is a whole different kettle of fish.

robinbredin · 29 May 2011 at 11:03

Surveyor

Originally Posted by SparkyG
I thought win OS's were only tied to the Mobo?

Click to expand...

The motherboard serial number is one of many items that is referenced when used to determine what computer OEM Windows is installed on.

Having said that I've chopped and changed many PC's and re-installed OEM Windows XP many times.

I don't know if it's different for Vista.

I would try what mysticsniper says.

I have changed nearly everything in my system, except for the motherboard, and never had to reactivate the system.