Windows Activation Failure niftykracker 12/18/2008 5:00:07 PM I recently upgraded my computer, only taking a few of the components from my old one and putting in the new system. It did a number on windows and I had to reinstall vista. Now when I'm trying to activate it's telling me that the product key is already in use. The other computer has been sold off for parts, what can I do to get past this that doesn't involve a new $200 piece of software or $60 phone call? Thanks for your help!

Re: Windows Activation Failure "Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall[ at ]remove_mvps.com> 12/18/2008 5:39:29 PM "niftykracker" <niftykracker[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:3C968079-C45A-4EC0-9129-8824F308E91F[ at ]microsoft.com... [Quoted Text] >I recently upgraded my computer, only taking a few of the components from >my > old one and putting in the new system. It did a number on windows and I > had > to reinstall vista. Now when I'm trying to activate it's telling me that > the > product key is already in use. The other computer has been sold off for > parts, what can I do to get past this that doesn't involve a new $200 > piece > of software or $60 phone call? Thanks for your help! When it told you that the key code was already in use, mainly because Microsoft has no way of telling that it has been decommissioned since the original install, did you see anything relating to activating by phone? You are given a toll free number, so no $60 payable, and it takes only a few minutes.. -- Mike Hall - MVP How to construct a good post.. http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups.. http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc Mike's Window - My Blog.. http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

Re: Windows Activation Failure Brink <guest[ at ]unknown-email.com> 12/18/2008 8:11:08 PM Hello Niftykracker, You can try using phone activation. http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/84488-activate-vista-phone.html Hope this helps, Shawn niftykracker;914117 Wrote: > I recently upgraded my computer, only taking a few of the components > from my > old one and putting in the new system. It did a number on windows and I > had > to reinstall vista. Now when I'm trying to activate it's telling me > that the > product key is already in use. The other computer has been sold off for > parts, what can I do to get past this that doesn't involve a new $200 > piece > of software or $60 phone call? Thanks for your help! -- Brink *There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.* '*Windows 7 Forums*' (http://www.sevenforums.com/) *and* '*::Vista Forums::*' (http://www.vistax64.com) *Please post feedback to help others.*

Re: Windows Activation Failure "John Barnett MVP" <freelance[ at ]invalid.invalid> 12/18/2008 8:12:41 PM See this link from my website: http://vistasupport.mvps.org/product_key_already_in_use.htm You are mistaken about the $60 phone call. Activation calls are Free. -- -- John Barnett MVP Windows XP Associate Expert Windows Desktop Experience Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com 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.. "niftykracker" <niftykracker[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:3C968079-C45A-4EC0-9129-8824F308E91F[ at ]microsoft.com... [Quoted Text] > I recently upgraded my computer, only taking a few of the components from > my > old one and putting in the new system. It did a number on windows and I > had > to reinstall vista. Now when I'm trying to activate it's telling me that > the > product key is already in use. The other computer has been sold off for > parts, what can I do to get past this that doesn't involve a new $200 > piece > of software or $60 phone call? Thanks for your help!