Well, it would have been nice if you had mentioned in your original
post
that you had installed SP2 beta. This activation issue will not happen
when you install the final version of SP2.
paulo wrote:
Hi!
I was browsing the web for solutions and found this thread:
http://www.vistaheads.com/forums/mi...-installing-kb948465-vista-sp2beta-32bit.html
As I'm a musician, I was using Vista SP2 beta since its release,
because
it affects DPC latencies, which is a great thing when working with
audio
and virtual instruments.
When I saw that thread, I uninstalled the SP2 beta, restarted the
computer and voila! The computer is activated again. It didn't even
ask
for activation. It was just as it was before. It really seems there's
a
problem with the activation in the SP2 beta. I might just skip the RC,
so
I won't get in trouble again.
The combination of SP2 beta with the Clear CMOS operation was an
explosive one, for sure.
Anyway, thank you for all the advice given. I'm happy it all ended up
well.
Kind regards,
Paulo
:
Hi xfile,
Unfortunately I was out of town today so I couldn't follow your
instructions. However, that will be the first thing to do Monday!
Thank you so much for your help. I will let you know how it goes.
Kind regards,
Paulo
:
PS: Ask them to read those articles too if they have any question
about
activating your OEM copy.
Hi xfile,
I contacted them again and they said they couldn't give another
key
because
they are there only for authorizations. Also, my license is OEM,
so... they
can only escalate my call to tech support. No supervisor to talk
then, but I
asked them about it.
I also told her I had already talked 4 times with tech support,
the
last one
being very upset, but she insisted in passing my call. I accepted,
but after
some time waiting, the line dropped. Well, I knew what they were
going to say
anyway: newsgroups (free), technical support (paid) or contacting
the
original vendor. After all, I talked to 4 different people
yesterday,
and all
told me the same, without blinking.
I also sent an e-mail to the vendor yesterday, so I'm waiting
their
reply too.
Who would've known this was going to be such a struggle...
Hi,
At this point, I will suggest you to escalate the issue to local
customer service (not product support):
http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/phone/contact.aspx?country=Portugal
Microsoft Customer Care: 808223242
Do the following things before you call:
1. Locate your OEM certificate of authenticity (COA), and if you
cannot find it, contact your vendor.
2. Read the article "How to activate Windows Vista
(
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940315)" and pay special attention
to
the section titled "If Windows Vista requests activation
unexpectedly"
and explain to the customer service rep. that it is exactly your
situation.
3. Also read this article: Windows Vista Activation FAQ
(
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/activationfaq.mspx)
and also pay special attention to the question "Will I ever need to
activate my current copy of Windows again?", you should also see
your
situation is listed.
I contacted them again and they said they couldn't give another
key
because
they are there only for authorizations.
I assume that you contacted the activation center by following the
steps listed in this article: How to contact a Microsoft Product
Activation Center (
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929). If so,
they don't know what they are talking about.
Good luck!
:
Hi xfile,
I also don't understand why they can't handle this situation
without
resorting to paid support. I'll probably call the activation
line
again
tomorrow and try to talk to a supervisor, like you suggested.
Thanks!
You are welcome
Let us know how it goes and good luck!
:
I've talked for the second time today with the autorization
line.
They
couldn't solve my problem so they transfered me to support
desk
again,
[...]
Hi,
Just trying to help,
Did you ask or did they tell you why they couldn't help and
needed
to
transfer you to support desk for what you really need is a new
set
of
activation numbers?
As far as I remember, you only need to tell them that you have
NOT
transferred the OS "to" another system, and the problem started
after
upgrading memory modules and changing BIOS settings, and they
should have
given you a new set of activation numbers.
So why did they transfer you to support desk?
Ask the rep. or her/his supervisor for "specific reasons" that
they
couldn't
help you.
Thanks again Paul!
I've talked for the second time today with the autorization
line.
They
couldn't solve my problem so they transfered me to support
desk
again,
which
is telling me that I can only get technical help here in the
newsgroups
for
free. Otherwise, only by paying 60 euros to have someone
contact
me...
Is there any possibility that I get a solution here on the
newsgroups?
Kind regards,
Paulo Ribeiro
:
The people who build your computer are responsible for
support
but I
would
try phone activation again and this time talk to a real
person
there
(not
support) and explain to them what has happened. They should
be
able to
help
you and there is no charge.
--
Paul
:
Thanks for your reply Paul. However, there's no manufacturer
in
the
sense of
say HP or IBM. It's an OEM computer, so I doubt they can
help
me.
Is there anything else I can do?
Kind regards,
Paulo Ribeiro
:
I would contact the manufacturer of your computer to
resolve
this
issue.
--
Paul
:
Hello,
I bought a computer last year with an OEM version of
Windows
Vista
Ultimate
x64.
I needed an additional 4GB of RAM and I was having
problems
with
the
computer not booting up. After posting in the memory
modules
manufacturer's
forum they told me to alter some parameters in the BIOS
regarding
memory
timings. After some experimentation, the computer would
not
even
post to
BIOS, so I decided to clear CMOS.
Now, every time I boot into Windows, it asks me to
activate
and
if
I
activate it, it tells me the license is already assigned
to
another
computer.
I contacted Microsoft support here in Portugal and I
already
tried
telephone
activation and System Restore as specified in the
troubleshooting
for
activation, with no luck. After contacting Microsoft
support
again
they told
me to post here in the newsgroups to try to find a
solution,
otherwise they
would have to bill me for telephone support.
So, what do I do next?
Thanks in advance for any help given.
Kind regards,
Paulo Ribeiro