Vista - WGA

[internetdemon]

Hi all, i seem to be having a problem with a Vista laptop that thinks it doesnt have a genuine copy of windows (it does, as it was bought new from dell, preinstalled) it now logs on, complains about the license, then shuts down again . The license key on the COA sticker is also refused when trying to re-validate. Anyone have any ideas why its suddenly decided to do this?

Or how without (god forbid) phoning microsoft, i can solve it?

[mrcrazy04]

It seems the OEM pre-installed copies of Vista won't validate over the internet.

I think it will be a case of phoning MS - but you should be able to do it with the automated service, which is still a pain.

I had to activate Vista on my laptop following a reinstall and it refused to activate online, but the automated phone thing went through fine!

[techyphil]

How was the automated system for you?

 

I've just brought Vista Ultimate OEM and installed it on my home pc as its faster to generally test it out... unfortunatily though the HDD kept spinning up and causing it to freeze. Ended up replacing the mobo within a week of installing Vista and activating it.

 

Just reinstalled it and says its already active. Would MS be soo kind as to let me install it again just like that? Because I know that they consider it to be a new machine now the mobo's been replaced?

 

Thanks

[FN-GM]

Just ring them up and explain they might let you.

 

Z

[internetdemon]

Thanks guys, i wont be needing to sort it at all now, in true Dell style, the LCD inverter on the screens died. Its been put to good use as a doorstop though.