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Vista reactivation??

I would go with making a call to Microsoft, and saying that you're system broke down as already stated and you had to purchase a new motherboard.

If they say they are not allowed to send you a new code, then I would go with either purchasing a new version of windows 7, or there are certain other ways of getting it which I obviously do not endorse :)

I've never had any problems with my windows 7 (legal of course :P), it's a great OS.
 





I agree with Asherz, Windows 7 is an awesome OS, and this is coming from a Mac user. LOL. Just don't tell Steve. ;)

Plus if you're a student, or know someone who is one, they can't a full retail copy of Windows 7 for $30. At least I'm pretty sure that promotion is still going on....
 
If Microsoft don't allow you to do anything and don't issue a new key, you can get a BIOS emulator, which essentially tells the O/S that the motherboard you're using is an Acer motherboard, and should allow it to activate as normal. The BIOS emulation is often broken by software updates, however, so you may want to be slightly cautious before doing this.
 
I worked in a PC repair shop for a couple years and whenever I did a mobo change I just called MS and told them I replaced the mobo and I need to reactivate my copy of windows. As long as you have a tag with product numbers on it they will be able to help you.
 
I know what your problem is.
I had the same problem on one of my laptops.
What you need is a new activation key. Because you already used the activation key, you cannot enter it a second time. That is, if your computer came with Vista pre-installed with a little sticker on the bottom containing your activation key.
To get a new activation key, what you need to do is contact Microsoft by phone for a new one. They'll ask for your old one and you can just explain to them that the old one doesn't work anymore.
Don't contact your computer carrier. When I first had the problem, I contacted HP and they simply directed me to Microsoft.

You can also sometimes bypass this activation by registering your product when it asks you to after re-installing Windows with the recovery disks (if you ever received any).

Until you get the issue resolved, there will be the little balloon popping up in the bottom right corner of your computer screen. It's important to NOT CLOSE IT until you have your new activation key or product registered. If you do close it, your computer will log off and you won't be able to get back on without a new activation key. And trust me, that sucks.

I hope I helped.

~xSpazyKlown0~
 
i got a copy of vista home preimeum, not in use anymore. i'm in uk, will sell if you want it.

sell the key of corse, lol
 
old thread, but I thought I'd add my findings too:

1: phone activation is done by a robot now, apparently. When there's some funk going on with activation, it asks you how many computers you've installed the software on. I never ended up talking to a person, but activation went through fine.

2: "slmgr -rearm": Right-clicking the icon for the command prompt and selecting run as administrator will bring up the command prompt with admin rights. slmgr -rearm will give you 30 more days to activate, and you can use the -rearm function twice before you are forced to activate or use the illegitimate version. Works in V and 7

3: if product id is OEM, you need an OEM disk, but you can use the key on the sticker. If product is a dell, you need a dell disk. Dell Windows won't install on a non-dell bios'd board.
 
This issue looks like it's been beat to death at this point but let me give you a little info...

1. The Windows license is tied to your MachineID, this ID is generated based on the hardware inside your computer. So when you make any significant changes to your hardware such as changing out your Motherboard the MachineID's no longer match.

2. What you are experiencing is totally normal for a Motherboard upgrade and generally the easiest way to solve the problem is simply by contacting Microsoft, I have not heard of anyone not getting the new key after contacting microsoft (this assumes a legal version of windows obviously).

3. When dealing with prebuilt systems such as Dell, Acer, etc... that have proprietary licensing their license key is generally tied directly to their motherboard, so if you change out the motherboard your installation disk most likely will no longer work.

4. If it comes to the point that you have to buy Windows, I highly suggest you buy Windows 7, and not another copy of Vista. Also as someone mentioned there is a standing student discount for Windows, you can generally have anyone that has a valid Student ID buy a student version of windows at their local university store. ($30 sounds about right for the student price).

5. There is always the Pirate option, but at this point it's generally not worth the hassle and the likelyhood that you will get a virus while using one. More than likely if you contact microsoft they will help you right over the phone without having to purchase anything or risking your computer to a virus.
 
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