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How-To Geek Forums » Windows Vista

Windows Vista Starter Edition Activation Failed

(7 posts)
  • Started 1 year ago by karteekkarteek001
  • Latest reply from karteekkarteek001
  • Topic Viewed 2673 times

karteekkarteek001
Posts: 50

Dear all,

I bought Sony VAIO VGN-CR220E laptop with Windows Vista Home Premium Edition.

But it came with only one drive (total 200 GB hard disk) and I thought that it would be better to get that disk into 3 or 4 partitions and I consulted an authorized dealer.

He told me that the said edition could not be made into partitions so go for another edition and recommended Windows Vista Starter Edition. It is a genuine edition and I purchased it from him.

He installed the OS and drivers it for me and charged me for everything he did.

After that, when I connected my laptop to internet, a message had appeared, mentioning the activation of the Vista. I followed the steps and successfully activated my Vista Stater edition with the given serial number. I got a confirmation mail to my Yahoo ID mentioning the successful activation of the product.

Coming to my present problem, recently I got an error with my network driver so after trying all the known methods I formatted the OS and reinstalled Vista Stater edition.

Similar to the earlier way, the same message has come for activation. But it is showing error in activation mentioning the cause that 'This Windows Vista Edition is in use'. I was shocked because I activated the same before and have been using for the lat one and quarter year. Now after formatting and re-installing the same, it is showing that the serial number is in use.

It is showing the time as 3 days left for activation or buy another product ID.

I don't know what to do and how to proceed.

Dear Geek-Friends please help me and suggest me what to do...

-K

Posted 1 year ago #
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jd2066
Justin
Posts: 3792

It sounds like you got bad information. All the Windows Vista editions support multible partitions.
Not that you need multible partitions for just one Operating System. Many people use one partition for one Operating System and it works just fine.
Also Windows Vista Starter Edition is the lowest edition and thus Home Premium contains all the Starter features (Except for some limits that make Starter cheaper). So if Home Premium didn't have that feature, going to Starter wouldn't help at all. In fact it would hinder things due to limits Starter has that Home Premium does not have. Like no Aero Glass.
As for the activation, just call the Microsoft activation phone number and tell them you reinstalled Windows Vista and they should give you an activation key.

Posted 1 year ago #
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karteekkarteek001
Posts: 50

Thank you very much for the reply....

Posted 9 months ago #
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Spacegold
Spacegold
Posts: 594

An authorized dealer should clearly have known that he was charging you for DOWNgrading your O/S on the basis of his bad advice. I would not deal with anyone who unscrupulously preys on user ignorance. And furthermore, I would not hesitate to report the experience to the manufacturer's marketing department.

Posted 9 months ago #
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karteekkarteek001
Posts: 50

Dear Spacegold,

Thank you for your concern. But in my case, I called the Microsoft Customer Care department and mentioned the problem. An automated voice asked me the installation ID and after confirming that it gave a activation serial number which activated my Starter edition. :-)

-K

Posted 9 months ago #
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jonhill987
jonhill987
Posts: 158

yes, but you should have Home Premium, you already paid for it and it is far better than Starter (and can handle partitions). Ask for your money back from the dealer, he gave you incorrect advice.

Posted 9 months ago #
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karteekkarteek001
Posts: 50

You are right jonhill. I thought to ask the dealer for the money back. But unfortunately, he died in a road accident. It happened few days later when I read the 'jd2066' reply.

Posted 9 months ago #
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