Windows Vista activation

Discussion in 'Tech Support' started by Brooxy, 18 Jul 2008.

  1. Brooxy

    Brooxy Loser of the Game

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    Having recently reverted back to XP on my laptop from Vistax86, I decided to put Vista x64 on my desktop, following a rebuild on it. Problem is that Windows is screaming for activation, and every time that I try to, it says is can't activate because the copy is in use elsewhere

    If I had this issue on XP, I would just phone up Microsoft using the number provided, and explain that I had done a rebuild and all would be well.

    Life with Vista is apparently not as simple. It doesn't show any form of contact number for MS, so in 18 days time, my computer will nuke itself.

    Anyone got any ideas how to resolve this?

    Thanks
     
    Brooxy, 18 Jul 2008
    #1
  2. kenco_uk

    kenco_uk I unsuccessfully then tried again

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    There should be an option somewhere in the activation to phone up. Did you have to activate it on your laptop? I'm not sure of the number to ring, but I am sure that it could be sorted over a phonecall.
     
    kenco_uk, 18 Jul 2008
    #2
  3. mm vr

    mm vr The cheesecake is a lie

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    OEM versions of Vista can be only activated on one computer (but you might call MS and tell them you changed computer as you're going to do), Retail versions activate on any computer, but only if there's three monts or more between the last activation.
     
    mm vr, 18 Jul 2008
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  4. Brooxy

    Brooxy Loser of the Game

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    Activation on the laptop was a couple of clicks - just seems to be more troublesome on the desktop. Like I say, I've looked for a number on the activation wizard (I go to it when the two keys appear by the clock), and am missing where the number should be.

    It goes through as a MSDN copy of Windows, which I believe is the equivalent of a retail code.
     
    Brooxy, 18 Jul 2008
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  5. kenco_uk

    kenco_uk I unsuccessfully then tried again

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    Hmm.. that's weird! OEM can only be activated on one computer, although MS are very good if you ring them up and say the motherboard borked. Whereabouts are you located, Brooxy?
     
    kenco_uk, 18 Jul 2008
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  6. Brooxy

    Brooxy Loser of the Game

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    Located in the south of the UK, near Chichester :)
     
    Brooxy, 18 Jul 2008
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  7. kenco_uk

    kenco_uk I unsuccessfully then tried again

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    I thought it was a freephone number, but the number for MS support is 0870 601 0100. Apparently, it's an India-based call centre and they are very helpful.
     
    kenco_uk, 18 Jul 2008
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  8. Brooxy

    Brooxy Loser of the Game

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    Excellent, thanks for that, it is much appreciated - I'll give it a go when I get home from work

    /hands out e-cookie
     
    Brooxy, 18 Jul 2008
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  9. Gareth Halfacree

    Gareth Halfacree WIIGII! Lover of bit-tech Administrator Super Moderator Moderator

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    The freephone number for the UK 'Activation Centre' is 0800 018 8354.
     
    Gareth Halfacree, 18 Jul 2008
    #9
  10. Akava

    Akava Lurking...

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    Did you by any chance get this copy of Vista through College or Uni as a student? If so i'm pretty certain its an OEM version. Not that it matters, just give them a call and all should be good.
     
    Akava, 18 Jul 2008
    #10
  11. samkiller42

    samkiller42 For i AM Cheesecake!!

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    Having problems dude? tut tut, and i thought you were a level 1 help tekki? ah the shame that surrounds you, mwuahahaha.

    Sam
     
    samkiller42, 18 Jul 2008
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  12. Akava

    Akava Lurking...

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    That would be a level or 2 higher than you though eh Sambo ;)
     
    Akava, 18 Jul 2008
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