Good Morning Memiller,
Please review the following Knowledge Base (KB) article and refer to the resolution portion of the webpage:
KB931573 – You may be prompted to activate Windows Vista on a computer on which Windows Vista was already activated by a Volume License or OEM installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;931573
If the above does not resolve your issue, please follow the steps below. If the first set of steps does not resolve, move on to the next set of steps.
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Step set #1
1) Open Internet Explorer
2) A Browser will open, type: %windir%\system32 into the address field
3) Find the file cmd.exe
4) Right Click on the cmd.exe and select Run as Administrator
5) Type: cscript slmgr.vbs -rilc (It may take a long time for this to complete, please be patient)
6) Hit the Enter key
7) Reboot 2 times
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Step set #2
1) Open Internet Browser
2) Type %windir%\system32 into the browser address bar.
3) Find the file CMD.exe
4) Right-Click on CMD.exe and select Run as Administrator
5) Type: net stop slsvc (it may ask you if you are sure, select yes)
6) Type: cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareLicensing
7) Type: rename tokens.dat tokens.bar
8) Type: cd %windir%\system32
9) Type net start slsvc
10) Reboot Twice
11) Windows Vista may require you to enter a Product Key [use the Certificate of Authenticity (COA)] SLP Product Key found on the sticker on the side or bottom of your computer and activate. Use the Activate by Phone method outlined below.
From the Desktop:
a) If you have access to the Start button: Click the Start button, and type in "slui.exe 4" in the search field and then press the "Enter" key. This will bring up the Activate by Phone dialog window. Follow the steps provided by the window. The phone activation process should only take about 6 minutes.
b) If you do not have access to the Start button: Reboot and login to Vista, a dialog window will come up. In that window, click the option "Access computer with reduced functionality". Once you do that, Internet Explorer or Firefox browser will open. In the address bar type "c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe" press enter, a new window will come up, type: slui 4 and hit enter and follow steps to Activate over the Phone.
Also you may reference the following site for various Telephone Activation Centers:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326851
Thank you for visiting the Genuine Advantage forum.
Stephen Holm, MS
WGA Forum Manager
Stephen Holm
