vista activation

MiNxYyY · 14 May 2008 at 16:18

ok,got a new problem now.

i have another pc wich i stuck vista home premium 32-bit on,it was the Upgrade version.
now when i try and activate it,it tells me Upgrade cannot be activated because i did a clean install,so i have to buy a new cd-key.

anyone know how much this will set me back?

Cob · 14 May 2008 at 16:26

Odd.

Did you use the 'install twice' method to install the Upgrade version?

MiNxYyY · 14 May 2008 at 16:32

nah i didnt,ran it from desktop and chose custom install and clean install.

gary996 · 14 May 2008 at 16:33

Just run the disk again to upgrade the upgrade then register

MiNxYyY · 14 May 2008 at 16:33

how long after the activate time has ended can i use vista ?

Cob · 14 May 2008 at 16:36

kieranwesley1 said:
nah i didnt,ran it from desktop and chose custom install and clean install.

Ah right. I haven't tried that method since x64 Vista needs a clean install from outside XP.

Try the double-install method. To do so you need to boot from the DVD and install it without a CD key and set to not automatically activate (this is very important). Be sure to choose the correct version of Vista. Then once it's installed and has booted to the desktop for the first time, reinsert the DVD and start the installer from within Vista. Select the upgrade option and this time insert the CD key. It will then reinstall Vista and it should activate OK.

Cob · 14 May 2008 at 16:43

kieranwesley1 said:
how long after the activate time has ended can i use vista ?

Til the next time you reboot. It locks you out at the log-in screen and will only let you connect to MS to either insert a new key or buy a new key.