Hi Paul,
First off, would you go to http://microsoft.com/genuine and click the Validate Windows button. If you do not receive any errors, reboot 2 times and see if that resolves the issue. If it does not, follow the below steps:
<If you have access to the Start Button>
1) Click the Start button
2) Type: slui.exe 3 and hit the Enter key
3) Type in the Product key from the sticker on your computer
4) Click the Next button.
5) You will be asked if want to Activate, click ok
6) It will attempt to Activate by the internet and will return an Invalid Key error (this is ok, continue to step 7)
7) Click the Start button
8) Type: slui.exe 4 and hit the Enter key
9) Select your location in the drop down menu and click the Next button
10) The next screen provides the number to call to Activate by Phone
NOTE: when you call that number, you will first hear an Automated Voice that will try to Activate Vista for you. If the Atomated Voice gives you an option to talk to a Live Activation Rep, select that option. If not, do not enter any numbers. This should force the Automated Voice to transfer you to a Live Activation Rep. Trying to Activate thru the Automated Voice will not work, in your case, only thru the Live Activation Rep will your Activation be successful.
Once completed, you may need to reboot twice.
<If you Do Not have access to the Start Button>
the alternate steps to get you to the Change Product Key window is to:
1) Click the option 'Run with reduced functionality'
2) A internet Browser should come up, type: %windir%\system32\cmd.exe in the browser address bar
3) A window with a black background will come up
4) Type: slui.exe 3 and hit the Enter key
5) Type in the Product key from the sticker on your computer
6) Click the Next button.
7) You will be asked if want to Activate, click ok
8) It will attempt to Activate by the internet and will return an Invalid Key error (this is ok, continue to step 9)
9) Return to the window with the black background
10) Type: slui.exe 4 and hit the Enter key
11) Select your location in the drop down menu and click the Next button
12) The next screen provides the number to call to Activate by Phone
NOTE: when you call that number, you will first hear an Automated Voice that will try to Activate Vista for you. If the Atomated Voice gives you an option to talk to a Live Activation Rep, select that option. If not, do not enter any numbers. This should force the Automated Voice to transfer you to a Live Activation Rep. Trying to Activate thru the Automated Voice will not work, in your case, only thru the Live Activation Rep will your Activation be successful.
Once completed, you may need to reboot twice.
Thank you,
Darin Smith
WGA Forum Manager
