Changing the hardware wouldn't stop it activating. It would throw up a
message (depending upon what hardware was changed) to say you need to
re-activate, but it is unlikely that it would prevent activation.
As for 'tricks' there are no tricks. I simply re-installed Vista it told me
it needed activating, i went online and the activation process did what it
had to do and the system activated. At one point, while testing to see if
one could do a repair install by actually 'upgrading' over the original, i
upgraded and, as the machine rebooted, a message appeared telling me that my
copy of Vista wasn't genuine. This meant that i couldn't even get to the
desktop. In this case, i simply clicked on the activate now option (remember
i had no internet connection setup at this point) i create an internet
account, connected and windows activated.
The easiest solution is to attempt an online activation again. If it is
refused click the telephone option and make a note of the free phone number
and then call the automated activation line. You will be asked to tap in a
series of numbers via your telephone keypad (well that's how it works in XP,
anyway. I haven't had cause to use phone activation fro vista). In return
you will be given a set of numbers to type into the product code dialogue
box on your computer screen. If it still doesn't activate then the automated
service will pass you over to a 'real' person who will guide you through the
process.
--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User
Web:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org
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