Why I cannot activate vista online after fresh install?

[indiglo]

Hi. All,

I use the vista business dvd, which accompany with my new T61, to do a fresh install. I enter the Key located under my T61 bottom, but deselect to activate through installing process. However after installed, I try to activate but get three options.

1. Use the automated phone system
2. Buy a new product key online
3. Type a different product key

Should I really use the phone to activate it? Why/ How I can do it online? Thanks.

[ryengineer]

I enter the Key located under my T61 bottom

You can't. That's the oem license.

[indiglo]

I enter the Key located under my T61 bottom

You can't. That's the oem license.

I know its a oem license. I use that dvd to install a fresh system on the same T61. Is it not a correct procedure? Thanks.

[Kyocera]

unfortunately no, the oem license that came with your thinkpad will not work to activate a retail version. You need to use the product key that came with the retail DVD.

[billp117]

1. Use the automated phone system...when it fails, you will be given another phone number to call and they will help you activate by giving you new activation numbers...it is a live person.

I have done this several times and it works fine.

[indiglo]

1. Use the automated phone system...when it fails, you will be given another phone number to call and they will help you activate by giving you new activation numbers...it is a live person.

I have done this several times and it works fine.

Thanks. I will try to do it.

[Kyocera]

1. Use the automated phone system...when it fails, you will be given another phone number to call and they will help you activate by giving you new activation numbers...it is a live person.

I have done this several times and it works fine

You were able to use your OEM license on a fresh Retail version of Vista? I would think you would just use the product key that came with the retail version instead of going through the hassle IF it actaully works. FWIW I tried this and it did not work, and even called phone support like a dummy. The Vista DVD had already been installed on one machine and activated, so they told me i could not reactivate with an oem license using that copy, I could purchase an additional license for sure though.

[ryengineer]

1. Use the automated phone system...when it fails, you will be given another phone number to call and they will help you activate by giving you new activation numbers...it is a live person. I have done this several times and it works fine.

That's merely a procedure for activating retail copy. Microsoft has nothing to do with oem licenses once they're sold to computer manufactures.

Lets say if you call Microsoft regarding oem license they'll direct you to lenovo and if you call lenovo they'll advise you to buy a set of Product Recovery Disks.

[billp117]

You can reinstall an OEM copy of Vista...as long as it is the same machine and the same version of Vista. I have two computers with OEM versions and it works fine to reinstall.

I am not sure if we have the whole story. But, I have had some computer crashes that required that I call MS to get a new number. But, if I clone a drive and it is the same computer...OEM Vista works just fine and no calls are required.

It would be great to learn the "rest of the story".

[ryengineer]

You can reinstall an OEM copy of Vista...as long as it is the same machine and the same version of Vista.

Ofcourse, you can do installation with an oem copy but what about doing an activation using the license on the "back of the notebook"?

Lenovo is providing customers with anytime upgrade DVD of Vista with most new notebooks now-a-days. It's just a DVD with no serial number and it possesses the capability of doing a clean install but it can't and won't allow you to activate the oem license on the "back of the notebook". I think this is what OP did but it's not going to work.

I have two computers with OEM versions and it works fine to reinstall.
I am not sure if we have the whole story. But, I have had some computer crashes that required that I call MS to get a new number. .....snip

Also, are you sure you're NOT talking about lenovo Vista upgrade DVD that came with a serial number of it's own or any other oem version that you can find on ebay/newegg/Frys/buy.com etc. that comes mostly in sleeves and with no pretty packages?

FYI:

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and most often refers to the likes of Dell, IBM or Gateway. At least originally, "OEM versions" of products were usually the same products that you'd find at retail, but with no-frills packaging, reduced support, and sometimes lesser warranties.

When it comes to Windows, "OEM editions" most often refer to the cheaper versions of Windows made available to "system builders" and other classes of Microsoft partners. You can buy OEM versions of Windows online almost any place that sells software, such as NewEgg. Companies keep compliant with Microsoft's rules by bundling OEM versions with a token piece of hardware, like a cable.

I will say it again Microsoft cannot do anything about the oem license key on the "back of any notebook". They sold it to lenovo and lenovo provides Thinkvantage tools / Recovery disks to customers to use in case of HDD failure and other similar matters.

[billp117]

Yes...you are correct on both points. My Z61t came with XP and I then received the Vista upgrade DVD. It crashed and I had to reinstall Vista. There was no problem installing again since the first install was an upgrade and the second install was a clean install. I then cloned it to a new HD and still no problems.

My desktops were upgraded from XP to Vista, one was an upgrade and the other was a clean install. Both were OEM Vista from Newegg. One required a new installation after a install of a program that corrupted the HD. Still no problem...until I decided to go back to XP on one of the computers. That prompted the required call to MS and they gave a new number.

Also, my MS Office programs would not install and that required the same phone call and they gave me new numbers.

I still would like to know what really happened. I do know that you must have the correct number for the correct version of XP or Vista...unless you pay for an upgrade (like Vista Business to Vista Ultimate).

[ryengineer]

This will explain:

OEM software is also tied to the motherboard it is first installed on. Unlike the retail versions of Windows which can be transferred to a new computer, OEM versions are not transferable. What about upgrading hardware? Microsoft says that anything is fair game, except the motherboard. Replacing the motherboard in a computer results in a "new personal computer," which the company considers to be synonymous with a transfer. It's not permitted with an OEM edition of Windows.

Nevertheless, I've known users who got around this limitation by calling Microsoft and reporting that their motherboards died when they wanted to build a new computer. It is Microsoft's policy to allow motherboard swaps in instances where a system is defective or has suffered a hardware failure. But you shouldn't bank on this approach; there's no guarantee it will work and, well, liars don't get ice cream. Also, while retail versions of Vista include both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows, OEM versions are specific. You get one or the other. This follows from the per device restriction. The end result is that OEM versions may not be that attractive to users who frequently build new computers from the ground up.

[egibbs]

So I guess the short answer to the original question is he can't activate it online because he is (by default) a thieving, low down, scummy pirate.

If, through some strange circumstance he should actually not be a thieving, low down, scummy pirate all he he has to do is prove that fact to Microsoft's satisfaction using whatever means is most convenient and amusing for them. Then they may, if they are feeling generous today, deign to grant him the right to use the software he paid for, provided he continues to prove every time he uses it that he hasn't suddenly become a thieving pirate.

Otherwise, no software for you!

I am so switching to Linux before I'm ever installing Vista.

Ed Gibbs

[ryengineer]

Well, the thing is, OEM license only works with OEM installation media.

The solution for the OP is to buy an OEM DVD of Vista or borrow it from a friend for just doing an installation------strictly and then use the oem license key on the back of the notebook which would activate Windows without any problem. But it has to be an oem installation media.

[Aroc]

To answer the original poster, Microsoft does not allow online activations of OEM software. You nearly always have to phone these in. Retail licenses are different. As long as you are not reactivating within some predefined grace period (60, 120, or 180 ? days) you can activate over the internet. Else, you need to phone it in.

No tin-foil hats are needed people. The software is just seeing behavior (fresh install from OEM media and key) it has been told to flag as suspicious and is asking for verification from MS (owners of the intellectual property in question) to proceed. To the point, I haven't heard of anyone not being allowed to activate over the phone. I do know several associates who purchase one copy and activate it over the phone on multiple computers after lying to MS. Which in the end achieves something similar to what many did pre-WPA days (buy one copy for use on multiple PCs) whil lying to MS and breaching the EULA. So it is still possible.

Actually if you are using OEM licenses purchased with a PC, one should really be using the recovery media that ships with the computer. That installation come pre-activated out-of-the-box (using BIOS locked pre-activation from the factory) so no activation would be needed. If you're concerned about the application pre-loads, then look into something like PC De-crapifier. Software on XP does uninstall more cleanly that was ever possible on Win9x. The real need to do a clean re-install using OEM cd rather than OEM restoration CDs is actually pretty low. There is very little benefit, IMHO. Check out the de-crapifier.

WPA in XP has been out since about Oct 2001. And I have yet to see any mass exodus to Linux or BSD variants in the enthusiast community.

Description of Microsoft Product Activation (302806)
Technical Details on Microsoft Product Activation for Windows XP (MS Technet)
How to Activate Windows XP (307890)
PC Decrapifier
More FUD about activation (Ed Bott's Blog)

[egibbs]

No tin-foil hats are needed people. The software is just seeing behavior (fresh install from OEM media and key) it has been told to flag as suspicious and is asking for verification from MS (owners of the intellectual property in question) to proceed. To the point, I haven't heard of anyone not being allowed to activate over the phone. I do know several associates who purchase one copy and activate it over the phone on multiple computers after lying to MS. Which in the end achieves something similar to what many did pre-WPA days (buy one copy for use on multiple PCs) whil lying to MS and breaching the EULA. So it is still possible.

So basically, activation doesn't slow down casual pirates, it just annoys legitimate customers...? What a great idea. Maybe they could make it insult the customer as well, that would really show the customer where they stand.

Ed Gibbs

[michaelk]

....

So basically, activation doesn't slow down casual pirates, it just annoys legitimate customers...? What a great idea. Maybe they could make it insult the customer as well, that would really show the customer where they stand.

Ed Gibbs

isn't that basically the case with all this stuff, DRM, product keys, etc, etc....

what's that old saying? "locks only keep the honest people out..."

[Kyocera]

To answer the original poster, Microsoft does not allow online activations of OEM software. You nearly always have to phone these in. Retail licenses are different. As long as you are not reactivating within some predefined grace period (60, 120, or 180 ? days) you can activate over the internet. Else, you need to phone it in.

The original posters question has been answered about three times by my count (twice by ryengineer ). I do agree with you that novices should stick to OEM's but when they hear or read somewhere that a fresh install will run faster or better they're all over that. Personally I'm running Vista Business retail, which is my choice and I like it that way, I wanted to upgrade and was outside the purchase time for the free upgrade DVD from Lenovo, so that kind of puts the theory that everyone should run OEM versions to rest. There is also a very long thread about the advantages of a retail install vs. OEM, this is a very opinionated subject area and there is room for different perspectives on OEM vs. Vanilla. Each individuals experience really adds to the difficulty in making these decisions, this thread is evidence of that. My experiences with the phone system activation has been positve, the individuals were cordial and not condescending, just asking questions to basically help my situation, I did not feel like I was being cross examined or accused of anything other than just wanting the real facts of OEM and retail version.

Now, that being said, the retail version of Vista Business is simple to install does not require a lot of post installation checks and runs well, and IF you know how to use the driver matrix to pick and choose what you want or need it's a good way to install. My OEM intalls post installation requires about 30 minutes of removing "stuff" or crapware (which it really is not crap if someone else likes or needs it. With XP installs on thinkpad it's 50/50 on the post install side, adding what I need to a vanilla intalls or removing what i don't want from the OEM
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=34519

[furrycute]

The real Vista key is not the one printed on the bottom of your notebook. You need a program called "Magical Jellybean Key Finder" to find your real Vista key.

There is also a Lenovo offline activation license you can find on the net, that allows you to offline activate a fresh install of Vista (after you've put in the key you found with the key finder).

This is not exactly illegal, since you are doing a fresh install using the key you legally purchased along with your computer. And the offline activation file just saves you the hassle of having to activate Vista online or having to make a phone call to MS.

[Melvyn]

OEM Licences work with any media (after installed).

At first, you can install from either source. When activating, you'll reach a fail and will give you options to change the cd-key. After you agree, an ActiveX file is downloaded which let set your machine's original OEM key, it accepts whatever key, since and ever it's a valid key (and not banned).

That worked me in ThinkPad, Dells and HP using XP. Recently, it have worked in a Gateway laptop and HP Desktop.