I really blew it this time

Help - about a month ago I posted that I couldn't remember my Administrative
password and I was going to wipe my hard drive clean and start over. Well, I
tried that and it isn't working very well. I don't know what I've done.
None of my original Vista operting system is on my computer. I put the
Windows Vista Upgrade in. I did not register it because it kept telling me
my product key code was incorrect. Now it is expired and won't let me into
my computer. Help!!! I'm going to be killed if I can't fix this. Thank you
in advance if you can save my life. I really feel like I need someone to
walk me thru this over the telephone because I'm computer illiterate. Is
that possible. Is there any hope?????

Barb K wrote:
> Help - about a month ago I posted that I couldn't remember my Administrative
> password and I was going to wipe my hard drive clean and start over.

What method did you use to accomplish this?

> Well, I
> tried that and it isn't working very well. I don't know what I've done.
> None of my original Vista operting system is on my computer.

Can you please be clearer about this? Is it the windows directory, your
data, your program files? Specifically what was missing?

> I put the
> Windows Vista Upgrade in. I did not register it because it kept telling me
> my product key code was incorrect. Now it is expired and won't let me into
> my computer. Help!!! I'm going to be killed if I can't fix this. Thank you
> in advance if you can save my life. I really feel like I need someone to
> walk me thru this over the telephone because I'm computer illiterate. Is
> that possible. Is there any hope?????

Hi Barb.

It's not working because Typically you cannot clean install an upgrade
disc. Do you have the original media you loaded vista from?

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http://protectfreedom.tripod.com/kick.html

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"Barb K" <BarbK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BCE477DB-6833-441C-A45F-5C1B76E6E528@microsoft.com...
> Help - about a month ago I posted that I couldn't remember my
> Administrative
> password and I was going to wipe my hard drive clean and start over.
> Well, I
> tried that and it isn't working very well. I don't know what I've done.
> None of my original Vista operting system is on my computer. I put the
> Windows Vista Upgrade in. I did not register it because it kept telling
> me
> my product key code was incorrect. Now it is expired and won't let me
> into
> my computer. Help!!! I'm going to be killed if I can't fix this. Thank
> you
> in advance if you can save my life. I really feel like I need someone to
> walk me thru this over the telephone because I'm computer illiterate. Is
> that possible. Is there any hope?????

When prompted to Activate, use the Activate by phone option, keep going
through the automated process until you reach a live operator.

Note, if the message you received was that the key was incorrect, it might
simply be a case of using the wrong character. Some characters on the key
sticker can look similar to others, "g" for "6" or the other way around, the
letter "o" for the number "0," "I" small letter "I," etc. Nonetheless, if
you have passed the time given to activate, this often requires using the
phone option to get straightened out.

--
Michael Solomon
Backup is a PC user's best friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

I suspect you are in serious trouble at this point. It sounds like you
tried to use an upgrade version of Vista to do a clean install, and now the
30-day grace period has expired. You are locked out of Vista unless you
purchase a retail, non-upgrade version so you can enter that product key.
And, the past copy of Vista, sounds like it's completely gone - if you wiped
the hard drive and did a clean install it's gone forever.

Given the rather vague descriptions you've given us, there's little to no
hope for anyone here to help you. Sounds as if you need some local,
professional, experienced assistance. Maybe a nearby repair shop can
recover some of what you lost - but I would not hold my breath.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
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"Barb K" <BarbK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BCE477DB-6833-441C-A45F-5C1B76E6E528@microsoft.com...
> Help - about a month ago I posted that I couldn't remember my
> Administrative
> password and I was going to wipe my hard drive clean and start over.
> Well, I
> tried that and it isn't working very well. I don't know what I've done.
> None of my original Vista operting system is on my computer. I put the
> Windows Vista Upgrade in. I did not register it because it kept telling
> me
> my product key code was incorrect. Now it is expired and won't let me
> into
> my computer. Help!!! I'm going to be killed if I can't fix this. Thank
> you
> in advance if you can save my life. I really feel like I need someone to
> walk me thru this over the telephone because I'm computer illiterate. Is
> that possible. Is there any hope?????

Barb K wrote:
> Help - about a month ago I posted that I couldn't remember my Administrative
> password and I was going to wipe my hard drive clean and start over. Well, I
> tried that and it isn't working very well. I don't know what I've done.
> None of my original Vista operting system is on my computer. I put the
> Windows Vista Upgrade in. I did not register it because it kept telling me
> my product key code was incorrect. Now it is expired and won't let me into
> my computer. Help!!! I'm going to be killed if I can't fix this. Thank you
> in advance if you can save my life. I really feel like I need someone to
> walk me thru this over the telephone because I'm computer illiterate. Is
> that possible. Is there any hope?????

Not the nicest description for sure. You used the new installation in
grace period first question you want to get back the previous one
(before the wipe and after 30 day usage of the new version), or just
want to use the new installation what now runs in Reduced Functionality
Mode?

Csaba

The behavior of reduced functionality mode in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925582/

You'll will have to re-install Vista: start the Vista Upgrade AFTER booting
into Vista (don't "wipe your hard drive clean", this time). That is,
install it from the Vista Desktop. Don't boot from the Vista disk, like you
had before (that is why your key wasn't accepted). You can enter your key
when the installation begins (which should work, since you have an upgrade
key). Since you are now in Upgrade mode, most of your settings, etc. from
anything you've done so far in Vista (user account name, time zone, etc.)
will be saved. Be sure to choose upgrade, and not clean install, when Setup
prompts you.

"Barb K" <BarbK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BCE477DB-6833-441C-A45F-5C1B76E6E528@microsoft.com...
> Help - about a month ago I posted that I couldn't remember my
> Administrative
> password and I was going to wipe my hard drive clean and start over.
> Well, I
> tried that and it isn't working very well. I don't know what I've done.
> None of my original Vista operting system is on my computer. I put the
> Windows Vista Upgrade in. I did not register it because it kept telling
> me
> my product key code was incorrect. Now it is expired and won't let me
> into
> my computer. Help!!! I'm going to be killed if I can't fix this. Thank
> you
> in advance if you can save my life. I really feel like I need someone to
> walk me thru this over the telephone because I'm computer illiterate. Is
> that possible. Is there any hope?????

If you live in the United States you can call (800) MICROSOFT (642-7676).
Whether your situation is legitimate or not, they're likely to provide guidance.

Use this link if you live elsewhere: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx
Work your way through the "Need more help?" screens to get a phone number.

If you'd rather die than ever pay for Windows, contacting Microsoft won't work.

"Barb K" <BarbK@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BCE477DB-6833-441C-A45F-5C1B76E6E528@microsoft.com...
> Help - about a month ago I posted that I couldn't remember my Administrative
> password and I was going to wipe my hard drive clean and start over. Well, I
> tried that and it isn't working very well. I don't know what I've done.
> None of my original Vista operating system is on my computer. I put the
> Windows Vista Upgrade in. I did not register it because it kept telling me
> my product key code was incorrect. Now it is expired and won't let me into
> my computer. Help!!! I'm going to be killed if I can't fix this. Thank you
> in advance if you can save my life. I really feel like I need someone to
> walk me thru this over the telephone because I'm computer illiterate. Is
> that possible. Is there any hope?????

Barb K;463844 Wrote:
> Help - about a month ago I posted that I couldn't remember my
> Administrative
> password and I was going to wipe my hard drive clean and start over.
> Well, I
> tried that and it isn't working very well. I don't know what I've done.
> None of my original Vista operting system is on my computer. I put the
> Windows Vista Upgrade in. I did not register it because it kept telling
> me
> my product key code was incorrect. Now it is expired and won't let me
> into
> my computer. Help!!! I'm going to be killed if I can't fix this. Thank
> you
> in advance if you can save my life. I really feel like I need someone
> to
> walk me thru this over the telephone because I'm computer illiterate.
> Is
> that possible. Is there any hope?????


Hi Barb K,

This tutorial will show you how to do a clean install with a Upgrade
version of Vista with it being able to be activated.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68...n-install.html


Now for your current problem:

If you are in a "Reduced Functionality Mode", then this will show you
how to get out of it and extend the trial period so you can get this
sorted. Scroll down a bit for that section.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66990-activation.html

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to do a phone
activation.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/84...sta-phone.html

Hope this helps you,
Shawn


--
brink

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not ask them.*
WWW.VISTAX64.COM (\"HTTP://WWW.VISTAX64.COM\")
*Please post feedback to help others.*

Hi Barb,

If you refer to
If you refer to my post 'Clean Install Windows Vista Using Upgrade Media' in
the newsgroup 'Windows Vista Installation and Setup', you should be able to
solve your problem. I advise you to print out the instructions so that you
can refer to them as you go along.
Dwarf

"Barb K" wrote:

> Help - about a month ago I posted that I couldn't remember my Administrative
> password and I was going to wipe my hard drive clean and start over. Well, I
> tried that and it isn't working very well. I don't know what I've done.
> None of my original Vista operting system is on my computer. I put the
> Windows Vista Upgrade in. I did not register it because it kept telling me
> my product key code was incorrect. Now it is expired and won't let me into
> my computer. Help!!! I'm going to be killed if I can't fix this. Thank you
> in advance if you can save my life. I really feel like I need someone to
> walk me thru this over the telephone because I'm computer illiterate. Is
> that possible. Is there any hope?????

You can do a clean install with a retail upgrade disc. I have done it many
times with no problem.

You can also enter the product key during this clean install. I have done it
many times with no problems and no deactivations.

Boot from the dvd and select clean install.

Have a nice day.

C.B.