Pay for Re-activation??

I have recently upgraded the processor, motherboard, and ram in my computer,
as well as a re-install of Vista Ultimate. I have the upgrade copy so I
transferred my files to my external hard drive, then selected the option of
perform a clean install rather than an upgrade (which I have done before
without any problems). However once I got the hardware and OS installed
Windows notified me that I could not activate it because my key was already
in use. It has been 90 days since I originally installed Vista, so if I want
to call Microsoft and explain my situation (which should be quite common) I
will have to pay $60! Is there any way of avoiding paying for something that
I really should not have to? Thank you for your help.

Hi,

When you activate, use the phone option. The appropriate number for your
location will be displayed. There is no charge to reactivate, regardless of
the time since original activation.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Lt. Cobalt" <Lt. > wrote in message
news:BEEF4BB9-86B3-44B5-AD21-...
>I have recently upgraded the processor, motherboard, and ram in my
>computer,
> as well as a re-install of Vista Ultimate. I have the upgrade copy so I
> transferred my files to my external hard drive, then selected the option
> of
> perform a clean install rather than an upgrade (which I have done before
> without any problems). However once I got the hardware and OS installed
> Windows notified me that I could not activate it because my key was
> already
> in use. It has been 90 days since I originally installed Vista, so if I
> want
> to call Microsoft and explain my situation (which should be quite common)
> I
> will have to pay $60! Is there any way of avoiding paying for something
> that
> I really should not have to? Thank you for your help.

There is no charge for reactivation. Activate online, get the phone no. for
your area, and hang on until a REAL voice arrives.

"Lt. Cobalt" wrote:

> I have recently upgraded the processor, motherboard, and ram in my computer,
> as well as a re-install of Vista Ultimate. I have the upgrade copy so I
> transferred my files to my external hard drive, then selected the option of
> perform a clean install rather than an upgrade (which I have done before
> without any problems). However once I got the hardware and OS installed
> Windows notified me that I could not activate it because my key was already
> in use. It has been 90 days since I originally installed Vista, so if I want
> to call Microsoft and explain my situation (which should be quite common) I
> will have to pay $60! Is there any way of avoiding paying for something that
> I really should not have to? Thank you for your help.

Lt. Cobalt wrote:
> I have recently upgraded the processor, motherboard, and ram in my computer,
> as well as a re-install of Vista Ultimate. I have the upgrade copy so I
> transferred my files to my external hard drive, then selected the option of
> perform a clean install rather than an upgrade (which I have done before
> without any problems). However once I got the hardware and OS installed
> Windows notified me that I could not activate it because my key was already
> in use. It has been 90 days since I originally installed Vista, so if I want
> to call Microsoft and explain my situation (which should be quite common) I
> will have to pay $60! Is there any way of avoiding paying for something that
> I really should not have to? Thank you for your help.



It's in use by you, because of your initial Activation. Simply
follow the on-screen instructions to activate by telephone. There is
no charge.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell