Unfortunately if you’ve already formatted your machine and reinstalled Vista you are sorely out of luck. There are ways of retrieving you key using the broken [previous] install with programs like “Magic Jellybean’s Keyfinder” or other slightly less trustworthy sources however if you have already formatted then the information you, or the programs you run, are looking for has been deleted from the system. You will need to get another key to validate your install.
A good rule of thumb in formatting a computer is to
<!--[if !supportLists]-->A) <!--[endif]-->save or move as much personal data as possible to a safe medium [CD/DVD or separate HDD]
<!--[if !supportLists]-->B) <!--[endif]-->prepare the necessary information to enter in upon reinstall [CD keys for anything from the Operating System to your word processor program]
<!--[if !supportLists]-->C) <!--[endif]-->recover what you can’t find.
There are programs that can read, move and restore information from one computer to another (or instillation) you just need to go on a goggle mind quest to find them. Good luck!
hope this helped,
Ryokukitsune
