Vista Key Not Working

[hozdaman]

Hi,

I replaced a client's harddrive on his Sony Vaio Laptop. The bad harrdrive had some physical error. When I go to reinstall Vista Home Premium and enter the product key from the sticker I get an error message saying the key is invalid.

I called up Microsoft and they told me that the Key is active on the bad hardrive and I have to get another Key from Sony. Is this true?

I have replaced many harddrives and reinstalled the OS based on sticker with out any problems.

Anybody help would be greatly appreciated it. Thanks.

 

[dgiles79]

I haven't come across that before, I've always been able to use they key on a new hard drive.

One issue that I have seen before, is that if your key was originally issued for Vista SP1 for example, it will come back as invalid on Vista without SP1. So you may want to make sure the service packs are installed first, then try the key again.

 

[vdub12]

I haven't come across that before, I've always been able to use they key on a new hard drive.

One issue that I have seen before, is that if your key was originally issued for Vista SP1 for example, it will come back as invalid on Vista without SP1. So you may want to make sure the service packs are installed first, then try the key again.

Sounds like the Microsoft rep didn't know what he was talking about. Thats common with them.

I agree, make sure you are installing with the same SP version. The SP version is normally printed on the COA. If its not then the COA is for no SP. The way those COA's work is one from No PS or SP1 will work for SP2 but a COA for SP2 will not work for SP1 if that makes any since.

 

[xxsilk109xx]

I have never installed vista and had a key problem... I have heard of others having issues like the one above with service pack issues, however I have not experienced them. If it helps at all, i use my vista disks that I get from MS Technet and I make them universal so that it can install any version.

Try this: Install it without the key, just make sure that you pick the right version, then when you get it online, try to activate it and use the key, if it doesnt work, then activate by phone will usually get by most issues with keys that I have had.

 

[hozdaman]

Thanks everyone, I will check the COA and see if there is a sp with it. I will report back.