Dell vista key not valid - WTF?!!?!?

[Mike9]

My wife's Dell laptop popped this up the other day - "activate windows now" - says the key is not valid - it's been active for 2 years now. Dell is useless unless you pony up for over the phone help. Anyone else run into this? I'm running Malwarebytes as we speak.

Explorer won't let me into the system section either. I'll order a Win7 since this unit is compatible, but what a PITA. :FM

I ought to put Linux on it since it's less prone to viruses and malware, but I'm not sure she's up to the learning curve.

[marcoaml78]

i know it sounds dumb as hell, but have you tried putting the key that comes underneath the laptop (believe or not its a different key than the oem key preinstalled)

if that doesn't work, i vote ubuntu, i think its the easiest flavor around

[Trout]

We just did a beta on a new Dell laptop for the past month,

Wouldn't you know, day 29 of a 30 day beta trail it suddenly dies! We sent it back just over a week ago (to China) I just received the preliminary diagnostic/question.

Did you drop it? Ummmmmmmmm it worked fine sitting on the desk at sign-off, next morning it was toast. Always blame the user lol

[Mike9]

I did re-enter it and it said no way. I'll check to see if Ubuntu will work with my Airport Extreme, her off site work proxy, etc. Otherwise it'll be Win7. Good news is Malwarebytes detected nothing.

[Route234]

The key is usually in the documentation that came with the computer. Its not the same key that is on the bottom of the PC.

Id probably get rid of Vista anyways, 7 is a lot better.

[Mike9]

OK - I got it activated - it is the same key that is on the sticker on the bottom of the PC. No documentation came with this machine - it's from the Dell outlet store. This one is getting smudged and the G looked like a 6 to me. Needed my jeweler's glasses to catch that.

Still having problems installing SP2 - always seems fail one item. Has anyone upgraded to Win 7 from Vista? I usually shun upgrades, but I'm giving MS the benefit of the doubt here. Might as well trip a mouse trap with my tongue eh? :Devil

[marcoaml78]

OK - I got it activated - it is the same key that is on the sticker on the bottom of the PC. No documentation came with this machine - it's from the Dell outlet store. This one is getting smudged and the G looked like a 6 to me. Needed my jeweler's glasses to catch that.

Still having problems installing SP2 - always seems fail one item. Has anyone upgraded to Win 7 from Vista? I usually shun upgrades, but I'm giving MS the benefit of the doubt here. Might as well trip a mouse trap with my tongue eh? :Devil

:aok told ya

as from upgrading from vista, i did it on my gf laptop. it had vista ultimate and it went to win7 home premium, no problems, pretty fast and hassle-free no problems so far, and it's been 4 months since the upgrading

[Mike9]

Good to hear - I can get a discount on upgrade through the college. I did get SP2 installed and an updated avast so it's stable at least. I can't believe I've wasted half a day on this thing. :peenut

I told her to buy a Mac next time - :Devil :roll

[jefesq]

Good to hear - I can get a discount on upgrade through the college. I did get SP2 installed and an updated avast so it's stable at least. I can't believe I've wasted half a day on this thing. :peenut

I told her to buy a Mac next time - :Devil :roll

You're lucky I usually waste at least a weekend on stuff like that and I usually know what I'm doing.

[twinrider1]

Dell Boca Vista!!!!
http://riverdaughter.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/frank-costanza.jpg