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Thread ID: 79860 2007-06-03 10:06:00 Vista activation system qazwsxokmijn (102) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
555705 2007-06-03 10:06:00 So how does Vista's activation system work? I have my Vista activated, but then let's say I need to reformat my HDD and I reinstall Vista....but isn't my Vista already activated in MS's servers? qazwsxokmijn (102)
555706 2007-06-03 13:52:00 you can reactivae a set number of times (two or three).

after that you have to "pirate" the software you paid for - or for xp you call them up and tell them what's happened so i expect vista should do the same
motorbyclist (188)
555707 2007-06-03 21:11:00 It depends on the version you have. Most will let you activate several times, after which you have to play the whole "ring the call centre in India" game. somebody (208)
555708 2007-06-03 21:15:00 And then their computers say they will put you to an operator, but they are all busy, so the call redirects to the computer, which puts you onto an operator... pcuser42 (130)
555709 2007-06-03 23:18:00 Can reactivate 2 or 3 times? So does that mean I can activate VIsta on another 2 or 3 computers? qazwsxokmijn (102)
555710 2007-06-04 00:00:00 Can reactivate 2 or 3 times? So does that mean I can activate Vista on another 2 or 3 computers?

No, that means 2 or 3 times on the same computer. Not 2 or more times, on other / different PC's.

Read the EULA.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
555711 2007-06-04 01:31:00 well, you CAN install on a couple of different machines, but if they've made any improvements on xp you won't get away with that for too long. motorbyclist (188)
555712 2007-06-04 05:08:00 well, you CAN install on a couple of different machines, but if they've made any improvements on xp you won't get away with that for too long .

I've reinstalled XP about twenty times and never had a problem . If you reinstall XP in a short period of say days, then yes you'll have to ring the Indian call centre . If you reinstall every six months, you should never have a problem .

I also had XP running on two machines for years with the same serial number - also never a problem .

Haven't tried to reinstall Vista yet as it was such a pain to install it in the first place . However - I imagine as long as you don't reinstall every five minutes it should work fine .
Twelvevolts (5457)
555713 2007-06-04 05:29:00 It'll most probably work after 6-12 mths, if its already installed on one PC.

Sure u can install whatever on how many PC's but whether u can activate them all at the same time, is another matter.

And that may also depend on whether its legit.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
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