Reactivating Vista friky19 6/18/2007 4:01:00 PM Hi, I was running a RAID 0 array on my pc, where vista was installed for 6 months or so. One of the drives failed, but before I reinstalled vista I used XP for two days or so to try and revive the failed hard drive that was part of my array, I also updated the motherboards bios. I reinstalled vista a few days back, and now when it tries to reactivate it says: "The product key you typed is already in use. To activate Windows you will need another Windows Vista Business product key" and im given 4 choices: 1.- I do not have another Windows Vista Business product key and need to buy a new one online. 2.- I have another Windows Vista Business product key and want to type it now 3.- Use the automated phone system to activate 4.- Contact Microsoft to help resolve this problem The product key is not in use because Im the only owner. So I decided to try and go with option 4. I Tried using Microsoft Customer Support online, went into the Windows Vista Solution Center, and I chose to contact a support professional by e-mail. Sent my product id and i got this message: "The product ID number you entered has expired. Please enter another product ID number or select a different support option below." Now just read that support for vista is only valid 90 days after activating it, but i didnt reinstall vista until now (5-6 months later). Did they expect me to have a problem with my pc in that 90 day period ? So I get another option which wants me to pay $59 dollars.... Ruled it out How can i activate my windows again ? Lets say I try by phone, and it works. What happens when I get my hard drive back from the RMA process and I reinstall vista again on the array, will I have to call again ? How many times will i be able to do this ?

Re: Reactivating Vista "Dustin Harper" <dharper[ at ]vistarip.com> 6/18/2007 4:22:27 PM The reason it says it's already in use is because you are the one using it. If you give MS a call, and let them know about the hardware problem, they will get you activated with no problems. Also, if you are expecting your replacement HD soon, you might wait to activate. I don't think it would require activation again, but you never know with Vista's activation model... -- Dustin Harper dharper[ at ]vistarip.com http://www.vistarip.com -- "friky19" <friky19[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:1CD61B9C-9A88-460C-A240-DB79A988FDAF[ at ]microsoft.com... [Quoted Text] > Hi, I was running a RAID 0 array on my pc, where vista was installed for 6 > months or so. One of the drives failed, but before I reinstalled vista I > used > XP for two days or so to try and revive the failed hard drive that was > part > of my array, I also updated the motherboards bios. > > I reinstalled vista a few days back, and now when it tries to reactivate > it > says: "The product key you typed is already in use. To activate Windows > you > will need another Windows Vista Business product key" and im given 4 > choices: > > 1.- I do not have another Windows Vista Business product key and need to > buy > a new one online. > 2.- I have another Windows Vista Business product key and want to type it > now > 3.- Use the automated phone system to activate > 4.- Contact Microsoft to help resolve this problem > > The product key is not in use because Im the only owner. So I decided to > try > and go with option 4. I Tried using Microsoft Customer Support online, > went > into the Windows Vista Solution Center, and I chose to contact a support > professional by e-mail. Sent my product id and i got this message: "The > product ID number you entered has expired. Please enter another product ID > number or select a different support option below." Now just read that > support for vista is only valid 90 days after activating it, but i didnt > reinstall vista until now (5-6 months later). Did they expect me to have a > problem with my pc in that 90 day period ? So I get another option which > wants me to pay $59 dollars.... Ruled it out > > How can i activate my windows again ? Lets say I try by phone, and it > works. > What happens when I get my hard drive back from the RMA process and I > reinstall vista again on the array, will I have to call again ? How many > times will i be able to do this ?

Re: Reactivating Vista "Mike Brannigan" <Mike.Brannigan[ at ]localhost> 6/18/2007 4:26:07 PM "friky19" <friky19[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:1CD61B9C-9A88-460C-A240-DB79A988FDAF[ at ]microsoft.com... [Quoted Text] > Hi, I was running a RAID 0 array on my pc, where vista was installed for 6 > months or so. One of the drives failed, but before I reinstalled vista I > used > XP for two days or so to try and revive the failed hard drive that was > part > of my array, I also updated the motherboards bios. > > I reinstalled vista a few days back, and now when it tries to reactivate > it > says: "The product key you typed is already in use. To activate Windows > you > will need another Windows Vista Business product key" and im given 4 > choices: > > 1.- I do not have another Windows Vista Business product key and need to > buy > a new one online. > 2.- I have another Windows Vista Business product key and want to type it > now > 3.- Use the automated phone system to activate > 4.- Contact Microsoft to help resolve this problem > > The product key is not in use because Im the only owner. So I decided to > try > and go with option 4. I Tried using Microsoft Customer Support online, > went > into the Windows Vista Solution Center, and I chose to contact a support > professional by e-mail. Sent my product id and i got this message: "The > product ID number you entered has expired. Please enter another product ID > number or select a different support option below." Now just read that > support for vista is only valid 90 days after activating it, but i didnt > reinstall vista until now (5-6 months later). Did they expect me to have a > problem with my pc in that 90 day period ? So I get another option which > wants me to pay $59 dollars.... Ruled it out > > How can i activate my windows again ? Lets say I try by phone, and it > works. > What happens when I get my hard drive back from the RMA process and I > reinstall vista again on the array, will I have to call again ? How many > times will i be able to do this ? Your key IS in use as it was used to activate the PC with the original hardware configuration - but this is not a problem. Just activate by phone that will fail too after the automated part; then hang on and you will speak to a person who will activate your product. -- Mike Brannigan

Re: Reactivating Vista "Ronnie Vernon MVP" <rv[ at ]invalid.org> 6/18/2007 4:31:33 PM Friky19 Use the automated phone-in option to activate. If the automated activation fails, stay on the line and you will be redirected to a live person who will be able to complete the activation for you. You can activate that version of Vista an unlimited number of times. -- Ronnie Vernon Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User "friky19" <friky19[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:1CD61B9C-9A88-460C-A240-DB79A988FDAF[ at ]microsoft.com... [Quoted Text] > Hi, I was running a RAID 0 array on my pc, where vista was installed for 6 > months or so. One of the drives failed, but before I reinstalled vista I > used > XP for two days or so to try and revive the failed hard drive that was > part > of my array, I also updated the motherboards bios. > > I reinstalled vista a few days back, and now when it tries to reactivate > it > says: "The product key you typed is already in use. To activate Windows > you > will need another Windows Vista Business product key" and im given 4 > choices: > > 1.- I do not have another Windows Vista Business product key and need to > buy > a new one online. > 2.- I have another Windows Vista Business product key and want to type it > now > 3.- Use the automated phone system to activate > 4.- Contact Microsoft to help resolve this problem > > The product key is not in use because Im the only owner. So I decided to > try > and go with option 4. I Tried using Microsoft Customer Support online, > went > into the Windows Vista Solution Center, and I chose to contact a support > professional by e-mail. Sent my product id and i got this message: "The > product ID number you entered has expired. Please enter another product ID > number or select a different support option below." Now just read that > support for vista is only valid 90 days after activating it, but i didnt > reinstall vista until now (5-6 months later). Did they expect me to have a > problem with my pc in that 90 day period ? So I get another option which > wants me to pay $59 dollars.... Ruled it out > > How can i activate my windows again ? Lets say I try by phone, and it > works. > What happens when I get my hard drive back from the RMA process and I > reinstall vista again on the array, will I have to call again ? How many > times will i be able to do this ?

Re: Reactivating Vista "John Barnett MVP" <freelanceit[ at ]mvps.org.NOSPAM> 6/18/2007 6:51:20 PM I'd wait until you get the hard drive back and everything is working okay and then activate over the telephone. -- 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.. "friky19" <friky19[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:1CD61B9C-9A88-460C-A240-DB79A988FDAF[ at ]microsoft.com... [Quoted Text] > Hi, I was running a RAID 0 array on my pc, where vista was installed for 6 > months or so. One of the drives failed, but before I reinstalled vista I > used > XP for two days or so to try and revive the failed hard drive that was > part > of my array, I also updated the motherboards bios. > > I reinstalled vista a few days back, and now when it tries to reactivate > it > says: "The product key you typed is already in use. To activate Windows > you > will need another Windows Vista Business product key" and im given 4 > choices: > > 1.- I do not have another Windows Vista Business product key and need to > buy > a new one online. > 2.- I have another Windows Vista Business product key and want to type it > now > 3.- Use the automated phone system to activate > 4.- Contact Microsoft to help resolve this problem > > The product key is not in use because Im the only owner. So I decided to > try > and go with option 4. I Tried using Microsoft Customer Support online, > went > into the Windows Vista Solution Center, and I chose to contact a support > professional by e-mail. Sent my product id and i got this message: "The > product ID number you entered has expired. Please enter another product ID > number or select a different support option below." Now just read that > support for vista is only valid 90 days after activating it, but i didnt > reinstall vista until now (5-6 months later). Did they expect me to have a > problem with my pc in that 90 day period ? So I get another option which > wants me to pay $59 dollars.... Ruled it out > > How can i activate my windows again ? Lets say I try by phone, and it > works. > What happens when I get my hard drive back from the RMA process and I > reinstall vista again on the array, will I have to call again ? How many > times will i be able to do this ?

Re: Reactivating Vista friky19 6/28/2007 8:10:01 AM Sorry, I was out of the country. But thanks, I'll wait for my hard drive to come back to call and reactivate. Thanks to all "John Barnett MVP" wrote: [Quoted Text] > I'd wait until you get the hard drive back and everything is working okay > and then activate over the telephone. > > -- > 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.. > > "friky19" <friky19[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:1CD61B9C-9A88-460C-A240-DB79A988FDAF[ at ]microsoft.com... > > Hi, I was running a RAID 0 array on my pc, where vista was installed for 6 > > months or so. One of the drives failed, but before I reinstalled vista I > > used > > XP for two days or so to try and revive the failed hard drive that was > > part > > of my array, I also updated the motherboards bios. > > > > I reinstalled vista a few days back, and now when it tries to reactivate > > it > > says: "The product key you typed is already in use. To activate Windows > > you > > will need another Windows Vista Business product key" and im given 4 > > choices: > > > > 1.- I do not have another Windows Vista Business product key and need to > > buy > > a new one online. > > 2.- I have another Windows Vista Business product key and want to type it > > now > > 3.- Use the automated phone system to activate > > 4.- Contact Microsoft to help resolve this problem > > > > The product key is not in use because Im the only owner. So I decided to > > try > > and go with option 4. I Tried using Microsoft Customer Support online, > > went > > into the Windows Vista Solution Center, and I chose to contact a support > > professional by e-mail. Sent my product id and i got this message: "The > > product ID number you entered has expired. Please enter another product ID > > number or select a different support option below." Now just read that > > support for vista is only valid 90 days after activating it, but i didnt > > reinstall vista until now (5-6 months later). Did they expect me to have a > > problem with my pc in that 90 day period ? So I get another option which > > wants me to pay $59 dollars.... Ruled it out > > > > How can i activate my windows again ? Lets say I try by phone, and it > > works. > > What happens when I get my hard drive back from the RMA process and I > > reinstall vista again on the array, will I have to call again ? How many > > times will i be able to do this ? > >

Re: Reactivating Vista "John Barnett MVP" <freelanceit[ at ]mvps.org.NOSPAM> 6/28/2007 3:28:25 PM You're welcome! -- 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.. "friky19" <friky19[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:A3FC48B9-0484-4B46-A2D4-98DBE25FAC28[ at ]microsoft.com... [Quoted Text] > Sorry, I was out of the country. But thanks, I'll wait for my hard drive > to > come back to call and reactivate. > > Thanks to all > > "John Barnett MVP" wrote: > >> I'd wait until you get the hard drive back and everything is working okay >> and then activate over the telephone. >> >> -- >> 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.. >> >> "friky19" <friky19[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:1CD61B9C-9A88-460C-A240-DB79A988FDAF[ at ]microsoft.com... >> > Hi, I was running a RAID 0 array on my pc, where vista was installed >> > for 6 >> > months or so. One of the drives failed, but before I reinstalled vista >> > I >> > used >> > XP for two days or so to try and revive the failed hard drive that was >> > part >> > of my array, I also updated the motherboards bios. >> > >> > I reinstalled vista a few days back, and now when it tries to >> > reactivate >> > it >> > says: "The product key you typed is already in use. To activate Windows >> > you >> > will need another Windows Vista Business product key" and im given 4 >> > choices: >> > >> > 1.- I do not have another Windows Vista Business product key and need >> > to >> > buy >> > a new one online. >> > 2.- I have another Windows Vista Business product key and want to type >> > it >> > now >> > 3.- Use the automated phone system to activate >> > 4.- Contact Microsoft to help resolve this problem >> > >> > The product key is not in use because Im the only owner. So I decided >> > to >> > try >> > and go with option 4. I Tried using Microsoft Customer Support online, >> > went >> > into the Windows Vista Solution Center, and I chose to contact a >> > support >> > professional by e-mail. Sent my product id and i got this message: "The >> > product ID number you entered has expired. Please enter another product >> > ID >> > number or select a different support option below." Now just read that >> > support for vista is only valid 90 days after activating it, but i >> > didnt >> > reinstall vista until now (5-6 months later). Did they expect me to >> > have a >> > problem with my pc in that 90 day period ? So I get another option >> > which >> > wants me to pay $59 dollars.... Ruled it out >> > >> > How can i activate my windows again ? Lets say I try by phone, and it >> > works. >> > What happens when I get my hard drive back from the RMA process and I >> > reinstall vista again on the array, will I have to call again ? How >> > many >> > times will i be able to do this ? >> >>