I got an oem copy of windows vista ultima (and Yes it is the only kind one can get here) and installed just a month ago on my system....last week I had a really bad crash on my rig and it rendered the main HDD unusable I got a new one, re-installed vista and when I go to the activation phase... Tell my key is already in use.... so I just get one activation with the OEM software!??? even more so Im about to revamp my rig And ill need a clean install in a week, so is this copt of vista useless now???

You'll need to call up Microsoft an ask them to allow you to use the serial number again. Just explain the problem and they'll do it.

From what I heard you get like... two uses out of it. Still, thats not enough. Yet another one of Windows' brilliant ideas down the drain of retardation

i believe its 2 .... i kno retail edition you get a maximum of 3.....
which is pretty F'in useless for anyone who upgrades regularly....
or hdd crashes *touch wood mine doesnt as i type this* (wait im at work ....plz crash ....

even if u call in m$ i believe that they will only activate 2-3 times with the same serial ... after that i was told u need a new serial ...which is even more messed up .....
doesnt m$ realise that no matter wat protection they put on software ...hackers will crack it ...
they jz make the ppl who buy originals more frustrated ...:S

thank god i have a friend working in the call center in malaysia
hehehe

I'd be astonished if that was a matter of policy-- as I understand it, the licence doesn't mention "only X activations", just "OEM copy can't be transferred to a new mainboard"

If they pulled the plug on the wrong person, they'd end up in a fairly ugly legal tussle. The media response ("Tonight at 11: Your $100-400 software license may blow up, even though you didn't do anything forbidden!") would create a lot of public discomfort and distrust, even if it meant just a lot of panicked executives calling their IT staff and learning how volume licences work.

Thank god I don't use a licence *Oops, I said that out loud didn't I??*
well I'm still glad because Ive been able to reuse Vista Ultimate as and when I need too
I really hate that m$ is still monopolizing the market!!
I just wish that normal users would put their feet down and say they don't want any m$ sh** on their new pc/notebook!!

volume licenses arent affected by the issues faced by oem and retail editions ....

of course they wont tell u ..that theres only 3 installs etc ....
and looking at the general public how often will some1 reinstall it .....
esp all the comps from evil corporations have their own restore programs ....
which restore the comp to orginal condition....

its only ppl like us who upgrade regularly that find problems with max no of installs.....

edit:
i got my m$ free ....corp edition and retail .... would never pay money for it otherwise
i mean who in their right mind would pay S$1100 (singapore dollars) which is about us$900
and about 400 pounds (for u brits) and about 950cdn (for the canadians)
(*and yes im very free ...nuffin to do at work )
i was talking about ms office ultimate edition .... before i got sidetracked with conversions ....
pure crazyness ..... and theres nuffin special about it ... (i kno i have it ...authenitc and free )

Thanks for the info guys.. but I guess I should wait till I put together the new rig, install vista an then call microsoft and hope for the best....


Cheers...


Mike

Ya I agree Micro$oft can suck it. I'm in the same boat as MrMobeus I do own a retail version I just don't use it becase of the install limit times. I have other means of using it.
It really pisses me off that they did this seeing how you're suppose to redo you system 2 time a year if not 4 too keep it running tip top.
I'd be more then happy paying for my OSes if they: wheren't betas, had limited use, and didn't cost more then dam near every part of my system.
I jsut build a new computer.

Q6600
3 Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
2 Seagate 146 GB 15000 RPM
4 GB Crucial Balistix 8500
Asus Striker Extreme
XFX 8800 GTX (Last XFX product I will ever buy)
PC Power & Cooling 750 Silencer Quad

If you look up each one you'd find out that the only thing more expensive then Vista Ultimate is the 8800 GTX and thats a load a bull. (The 15K hard drives are more but I only paid 150 for them so it dosn't count)

Microsoft can kiss off. If you make a better mouse trap you make a better mouse. I think more and more people are going to turn to underhanded mean as their privacy is invaded and they feel the Microsoft Jedi throut trick tighten in their throat.

Youre completely right, that OEM copy i got cost me at the official exchange rate about 500 $ US!
and give the stupid laws of my country regarding us currency y cant get a online vendor like amazon to sell me one.... Y really hope I activate vista Once I get the new hardware... I any one knows of a different may to do it please PM...


Thanks for all the advice and opinions.

Cheers

Miguel

Quote: Originally Posted by Dirty Moogler volume licenses arent affected by the issues faced by oem and retail editions .... of course they wont tell u ..that theres only 3 installs etc .... and looking at the general public how often will some1 reinstall it ..... esp all the comps from evil corporations have their own restore programs .... which restore the comp to orginal condition.... its only ppl like us who upgrade regularly that find problems with max no of installs..... edit: i got my m$ free ....corp edition and retail .... would never pay money for it otherwise i mean who in their right mind would pay S$1100 (singapore dollars) which is about us$900 and about 400 pounds (for u brits) and about 950cdn (for the canadians) (*and yes im very free ...nuffin to do at work ) i was talking about ms office ultimate edition .... before i got sidetracked with conversions .... pure crazyness ..... and theres nuffin special about it ... (i kno i have it ...authenitc and free )

I'd like to correct you, the CDN $ has been greater than the US $ for almost a month, so it's more like $875CDN

Quote: Originally Posted by Spatha I think more and more people are going to turn to underhanded mean as their privacy is invaded and they feel the Microsoft Jedi throut trick tighten in their throat.

That's the Sith throat trick ...

Ubuntu is the jedi of the OS world!



-godling

Quote: Originally Posted by mmaturen Youre completely right, that OEM copy i got cost me at the official exchange rate about 500 $ US! and give the stupid laws of my country regarding us currency y cant get a online vendor like amazon to sell me one.... Y really hope I activate vista Once I get the new hardware... I any one knows of a different may to do it please PM... Thanks for all the advice and opinions. Cheers Miguel

Damn! Where are you shopping? I snagged my Retail Vista Ultimate for 300$

I have a question...

My girlfriends laptop came with vista home basic... I formatted, installed XP, and pulled the sticker from the bottom of her laptop...

Can I use the key on my laptop?

So long as that COA key on the sticker wasn't used on another pc, sure. It's SUPPOSED to only be used with the device it was sold with, but they tend to look at it as "one COA, One Motherboard"

But that's my understanding of it. Your mileage may vary.

d

They haven't been enforcing the activation limits...
That was pre-release info...and it has been changed

It's the same as XP now....As long as its only installed on ONE pc...you can get a new activation
Just call them...it takes 4 mins or so to get a new one.

NO I DONT HAVE IT INSTALLED ON ANY OTHER PC
YES JUST THIS ONE
ONLY ONE

THANK YOU IM READY TO TYPE IN THE KEY NOW

ALSO...
don't get sucked into trying to talk to the telepromt your installation id...

USE THE PHONES KEYPAD INSTEAD TO JUST TYPE IN THE NUMBERS

It's much faster...

Quote: Originally Posted by godling That's the Sith throat trick ... Ubuntu is the jedi of the OS world! -godling

I knew I was going to get called out on that one. I don't like jedi's I'd rather be a Good Sith.
(my understanding is no mater the power you weild it's your choice in how to weild it.)
I still say Yoda was a Sith turned Jedi.

Quote: Originally Posted by Digital-World As long as its only installed on ONE pc...

or 5......

Quote: Originally Posted by Master Yunk Damn! Where are you shopping? I snagged my Retail Vista Ultimate for 300$

thast retail prize here in Venezuela, you should se how much a q6600 goes for her if you can find it ist like 520 bucks.....

Quote: Originally Posted by mmaturen Youre completely right, that OEM copy i got cost me at the official exchange rate about 500 $ US! and give the stupid laws of my country regarding us currency y cant get a online vendor like amazon to sell me one.... Y really hope I activate vista Once I get the new hardware... I any one knows of a different may to do it please PM... Thanks for all the advice and opinions. Cheers Miguel

It's surprising that, given the displayed attitude of the Venezuelan government towards the US, they don't encourage the bootlegging and cracking of Microsoft products.