activation

[vyruz]

in the last few days i have been getting a pop up balloon in my notification area that tells me to activate windows (it was activated months ago), when i click it i only have an option to buy a new key or try another or contact microsoft, microsoft are of no help at all and tell me to activate it by phone, but there is no option to activate by phone, the only solutiuon microsoft has given me is to purchase a premium suppport package to allow them remote access, i dont actually see why i should pay considering it was already activated and its only just happened with the pop up, hopefully someone here can shed some light and solve this problem for me cos all methods microsoft suggest either dont exist or will end up costing me additional money

[RandyL]

The first thing I would try is System Restore. Pick a date before this started to happen.

 

Next thing to try is taken from Microsoft KB Article 950929. Mine is activated so I don't see the option.

 

[h=4]Windows Vista [/h]To start the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:

1. Click Start http://support.microsoft.com/library/images/support/kbgraphics/Public/EN-US/VistaStartButton.jpg
   
2. Right-click Computer.
   
3. Select Properties.
   
4. At the bottom of the window, click Activate Windows.
   

In the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:

1. Click Use the automated phone system to activate.
   
2. Click the drop-down menu, select the location that is nearest to you, and then click Next.
   
3. The Product Activation Center telephone number is displayed at the top of the window.
   

[vyruz]

Thanks for your solution randy, unfortunately when i have tried system restore it fails and the option for activating by telephone is not available, all i get following siad steps is this pop up[ATTACH=CONFIG]1181.vB5-legacyid=2158[/ATTACH]

[Ray1000]

Try the "chat" option on the MS site ... they were un-believably helpful the other day when I wanted to transfer a Vista licence number from my old laptop to the desktop.

 

There is a telephone aspect to the process but the person at the other end of the chat line made the call and passed on the code I needed to insert.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Ray

[Starbuck]

Hi vyruz

 

You have had this problem with activation before:

http://extremetechsupport.com/threads/15754-Error-with-Vista#.UvExWftdUcw

[vyruz]

i have obtained a new install disk with valid coa sticker from a laptop, im gonna format and reinstall...the copy of vista installed at the moment is not valid for reactivation, a bad copy so theres no free support either.. ill just use the new disk and coa

[KenB]

i have obtained a new install disk with valid coa sticker from a laptop

If the OS is still installed on the laptop - this will be illegal too.

[ Unless it is a license for multiple machines - which is unlikely ]

[kernel]

Malware has been known to infect a system and convince a Windows system that it is not genuine.

 

I know you checked your computer once before but could you check it again?

 

Also Microsoft has a program called Genuine Diagnostics tool, if you wouldn't mind could you download and run it on your machine?

 

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