Can't activate Vista

RKDus

Bought an Acer laptop and wated to get rid of all the junk that comes with it, so I reinstalled Vista. Laptop didn't come with discs so I used the only one I had, a Dell disc. It's the same version - Home Premium, but it's not activating; it says the key is not valid. What can I do now?

Effluo

call them!

RKDus

Effluo wrote: »

call them!

Call who? Microsoft or Acer? I don't want to get an Acer disc because it comes with all the crap they install.

Alanstrainor

RKDus wrote: »

Bought an Acer laptop and wated to get rid of all the junk that comes with it, so I reinstalled Vista. Laptop didn't come with discs so I used the only one I had, a Dell disc. It's the same version - Home Premium, but it's not activating; it says the key is not valid. What can I do now?

Your acer probably came with a recovery partition which would have installed without the need for a license key afaik. Essentially the dell disk wont work on your acer.

RKDus

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Your acer probably came with a recovery partition which would have installed without the need for a license key afaik. Essentially the dell disk wont work on your acer.

Unfortunately I formatted the HD before installing, so this isn't an option.

quaidox

is there not a vista label on the underneath of the laptop with a product key on it that you are meant to use?

RKDus

quaidox wrote: »

is there not a vista label on the underneath of the laptop with a product key on it that you are meant to use?

Yes, it says the key is not valid, it's typed correctly, and there is no option for phone activation.

Spocker

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Your acer probably came with a recovery partition which would have installed without the need for a license key afaik.

With the Acers, theres software already installed to create the discs, they don't come with a recovery partition. If you'd created those discs you could have reinstalled without needing a key - you'd still get all their junk software back though.

The dell discs may work with the key from the COA, but failing that I'm pretty sure Acer can supply a replacement set of discs. Again you'll get the same apps, but you could just uninstall them?

RKDus

Spocker wrote: »

With the Acers, theres software already installed to create the discs, they don't come with a recovery partition. If you'd created those discs you could have reinstalled without needing a key - you'd still get all their junk software back though.

The dell discs may work with the key from the COA, but failing that I'm pretty sure Acer can supply a replacement set of discs. Again you'll get the same apps, but you could just uninstall them?

Back to XP for me so. Acers come with an insane amount of junk programs. Thanks to all who replied.

Spocker

RKDus wrote: »

Acers come with an insane amount of junk programs.

Hear, hear - that eManagement app is the greatest load of crap I ever saw installed on any recent laptop :pac:

RKDus

I counted more than 50 junk programs, with about 20 junk games!

snappieT

Dell disks only accept Dell keys, that's why it's failing.

You have to use an Acer disk with an Acer key, I don't even think a retail disk will work. Note that the other crap that is installed is usually on some separate utilities disk, and may not install alongside the OS.

RKDus

I've managed to get hold of a retail disc so we'll soon find out.

cpu-dude

snappieT wrote: »

Dell disks only accept Dell keys, that's why it's failing.

You have to use an Acer disk with an Acer key, I don't even think a retail disk will work. Note that the other crap that is installed is usually on some separate utilities disk, and may not install alongside the OS.

Actually Dell discs don't require any keys at all, it detects your using a Dell computer.

Very handy when your fixing someones ancient Dell PC have a load of Dell OEM discs.

RKDus

It activates with a retail disc! Not through the normal online activation but it works through phone activation. So now we know.