Vista Activation Issue

Rezident · 22 Jan 2008 at 11:04

Yesterday Vista said that I had to activate it within three days or it would stop working. I installed it (and activated it) about four months ago.

Tried to activate it again and it told me that the product key I typed was already in use. Anyone come across this before?

Cheers.

Dolph · 22 Jan 2008 at 11:05

Assuming you own the product key, just phone the freephone number and activate it via the IVR.

If you're using a 'genuine' version of windows with a product key that isn't yours, then you might have bigger problems.

point decay · 22 Jan 2008 at 13:35

Rezident said:
Yesterday Vista said that I had to activate it within three days or it would stop working. I installed it (and activated it) about four months ago.

Tried to activate it again and it told me that the product key I typed was already in use. Anyone come across this before?

Cheers.

i had the same thing happen after i installed nforce MB drivers a while back, took a coupled of mins on the automated system and all was fine again.

Rezident · 22 Jan 2008 at 18:06

Microsoft just refused to activate it. They said that OEM software was only activated for registered Microsoft system builders and that the Vista I bought from OCUK was "mis-licensed'.

Excuse me? :confused:

Dappy · 22 Jan 2008 at 18:28

AFAIK OEM versions of Vista can be purchased by anyone and not just system builders.

Can you not try the automated process or try speaking to someone different?

Eriedor · 22 Jan 2008 at 18:47

Rezident said:
Microsoft just refused to activate it. They said that OEM software was only activated for registered Microsoft system builders and that the Vista I bought from OCUK was "mis-licensed'.

Excuse me?

Re-phone them, always one or two useless operators.

Dolph · 22 Jan 2008 at 19:00

Dappy said:
AFAIK OEM versions of Vista can be purchased by anyone and not just system builders.

Can you not try the automated process or try speaking to someone different?

OEM software comes with agreements for both the vendor and the end user. However, in this case it's probably just the MS guy being a chimp

Rezident · 22 Jan 2008 at 22:40

Dappy said:
AFAIK OEM versions of Vista can be purchased by anyone and not just system builders.

Can you not try the automated process or try speaking to someone different?

Whew. Yes the automated system appears to have worked. Wow I was so not impressed with Microsft there. So he was just lying to me? I can see why people don't like Microsoft.

meghatronic · 22 Jan 2008 at 22:41

My Vista NEVER activates online for some reason.

Caged · 22 Jan 2008 at 23:31

Rezident said:
Whew. Yes the automated system appears to have worked. Wow I was so not impressed with Microsft there. So he was just lying to me? I can see why people don't like Microsoft.

Are they not allowed to make mistakes / misunderstand you? It doesn't have to be a lie.

Rezident · 24 Jan 2008 at 09:15

Caged said:
Are they not allowed to make mistakes / misunderstand you? It doesn't have to be a lie.

What are you on about? He told me, quite clearly, several times, that OEM Vista was not allowed to be installed by anyone that was not a Microsoft registered system builder. He said that OEM software had to be pre-installed on a system that you bought from a registered system builder. He said that OCUK had mis-licensed Windows by selling it to me on disc, and not pre-installed on a computer. Is any of this true? If not, then he was clearly lying.

Bradmax57 · 24 Jan 2008 at 09:22

i think the guy you spoke to was either in a bad mood or just a numpty, ive installed oem software loads of times and never have i been asked if i was a MS registered system builder, normally get the daft questions like is this the first time you are activating this software and how many systems other than this one is this software installed on