Thinkpads Forum

I did a clean install of Vista on my T61 yesterday. When installing vista I used the CD Key on the bottom of my machine, which worked fine for the install.

Once I get into windows for the first time, I get a message saying my CD Key is not valid for online activation, I need to reactivate. Sure, I phone in, do the whole spiel, get an activation code, and I'm good to go.

I start the windows update process, it goes on, about 3 reboots later, I get the message again. I need to activate windows again!... alright... I call in, the guy asks, did you activate another machine today? Yes! yes I did. I did a windows update and now it says I have to reactivate! He believes me, thankfully, and I get a another activation code.

That was last night. I put the machine to hibernate when I go to bed.

This morning, I wake the machine up, and I'm greeted with a window saying I need to reactivate!

....


Anybody else experience this? Any ideas on what's up?

Should I try re-installing windows?

If you used the preload to reimage, then you should not need the key on the bottom. In XP on a ThinkPad, that is a sure indicator of image failure.

If you used your own Vista CD, then the key on the bottom won't work.
... JDH

jdhurst wrote:If you used the preload to reimage, then you should not need the key on the bottom. In XP on a ThinkPad, that is a sure indicator of image failure.

If you used your own Vista CD, then the key on the bottom won't work.
... JDH

My understanding was the key on the bottom is an OEM key and it will not be accepted by a retail Vista product. Also if one acquires a Vista preload image to image your hard drive, and the T6x did not come with Vista it will not install? And if one gets it to install it will not accept a retail key? Can anyone confirm that?

Thanks,
Dah

DAH wrote:Also if one acquires a Vista preload image to image your hard drive, and the T6x did not come with Vista it will not install? And if one gets it to install it will not accept a retail key? Can anyone confirm that?

I believe that is answered in the following thread.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=38500

hmm... what is the proper way to do a clean vista install then? Do I need an OEM DVD of Vista?