Quick question about Vista OEM.

[NJNETSFAN]

I know that with XP OEM you get 5 times to enter in the product key before it can no longer be used, does the same rule apply to vista, or are you one and done? I can't seem to find anywhere that mentions this. Thanks.

 

[PC eye]

The "5 times rumor mill" is over! If you have to reinstall XP or even Vista at this point the new activation is much easier since MS wants you to have a valid copy running on your machine. It used to take a longer period of time for reactivation or calling MS directly to read a number the operator then asked for after having you follow instructions to enter a command. It's also been made easier to acquire new licenses that allow use on multiple systems since that's what MS wants to see.

They would rather see you valid and reactivated then running otherwise even with an OEM release. For multiple systems running the same disk you would need a retail copy there however. Keep this in mind. Since people upgrade faster then they can reactivate MS now has the validation tool when going for updates to vierify things like having a valid installation. http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/whyValidate.aspx

 

[shawn_selig29]

The "5 times rumor mill" is over! If you have to reinstall XP or even Vista at this point the new activation is much easier since MS wants you to have a valid copy running on your machine. It used to take a longer period of time for reactivation or calling MS directly to read a number the operator then asked for after having you follow instructions to enter a command. It's also been made easier to acquire new licenses that allow use on multiple systems since that's what MS wants to see.

They would rather see you valid and reactivated then running otherwise even with an OEM release. For multiple systems running the same disk you would need a retail copy there however. Keep this in mind. Since people upgrade faster then they can reactivate MS now has the validation tool when going for updates to vierify things like having a valid installation. http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/whyValidate.aspx

thxs for link...i checked and all my computers run genuine vista ... it was nice to find out for sure..

 

[PC eye]

When first going from 98 right past ME and 2000 directly into XP with SP1 the fun began when making the usual goobers where a new version of Windows has to be reinstalled as well as getting accustomed to the new things found in it. Reinstall and "can't activate at this time" was the message seen where a call to Microsoft was then made. "Please type in this number and read the number that comes up back" was one thing heard by many!

At this time where you may have to or don't have enough information to repair without reinstall you can reactivate far easier. You will note that Vista now has the "activate Windows online" box already checked off when going through the installation. On XP you saw the "You have this many days before..." popup with the activation icon seen at the top of the Start menu. MS decided to make things easier if you have to reinstall Windows on the same system for any reason virus or otherwise rather then see phones ringing off the hook apparently?