Hi Alex,
-If your copy of Vista is Retail, then you can install it on the new computer as long as it has been removed from the old computer. (please note: when activating Vista on the new computer, you will need to follow the Activate by Phone method oulined below)
-If your copy of Vista came Pre-installed (i.e. OEM) on your old computer, you are not allowed to move that copy of Vista to a new computer. OEM copies of Vista are tied to the Hardware they were originaly installed on.
Activat by Phone Method:
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 enterand follow steps to Activate over the Phone.
NOTE: The key to this process is that you need to talk to a Live Activation Rep! When you first call, you will be interacting with an Automated Voice, either select the option to talk to a Live Rep or if there is no option, do not enter any numbers. This should force the automated voice to tansfer you to a Live Rep.
Thank you,
Darin Smith
WGA Forum Manager
