Problem with WGA in Vista

[apocalypse_888]

Hello!
Well, let me tell you, I have an ORIGINAL copy of Windows Vista Home Basic that came included in the computer I bought from my sister a few years ago.
The thing is, recently (I already mentioned it here at the time) after upgrading my computer, my sister's computer started getting the parts that were left over from mine and were better, as well as a graphics card, motherboard, case, power supply, etc...
When I assembled everything, I had to format the computer because it wouldn't start, due to driver incompatibility (to be expected) and I installed Vista from the Recovery CD they gave me at the store. During installation, I wasn't asked for any product key.
The thing is that now it tells me that I have a non-original copy of Windows, and it locks the computer and I can't do anything. Since I don't use the computer, I don't know if before this there were more warning messages, or some kind of countdown like "you must activate Windows before 28 days" or something like that...
Of course I was a big fool, and I thought I had the key written down somewhere, but yes, of course I had it, on the sticker that was on the old box AND NOW IT'S IN THE TRASH!! A huge mistake on my part, so now, I don't have the original key for Vista, and I can't do anything to fix the WGA issue, because I read that it's an update, but the thing is that neither restoring the computer nor anything else lets me enter the control panel or anything, I don't know what to do...
It really bothers me a lot because this Vista was original, is there any way to solve this problem? Is the key not included in some file within the Recovery CD or something?
I've also thought that this Vista might be limited to the other computer, I mean, that it only works with that hardware, I know it doesn't make much sense but, maybe it detects that it's not the same computer and that's why it says it's not original, although it's not that crazy because I also have an original Windows ME and it only works on the CD on that computer, it won't start on any other...
I'm really fed up... any ideas? Regards and thanks a lot in advance! AGUR

[Fassou]

In OEM versions, validation associates the hardware (mainly the motherboard) to that license, and there is a limited number of hardware changes before it forces you to activate it again, which sometimes must be done by phone.

However, if you have the original hardware, you can do a recovery from the CD, and respecting the platform (motherboard+micro), make changes progressively, or try to find a utility that shows you the license code.

Salu2!

PD: Throwing away the sticker with the license :facepalm:

[apocalypse_888]

Anyway, can't you find out which key is currently installed on the computer? I can call them up, and tell them about the hardware change, and when they ask for the key on the sticker, I'll tell them the one that's currently installed, which will be the original one, since they've never asked for it in all the times I've formatted, so it must be included or something, I don't know...

P.D: Pue si, pa mear y no echar ni gota...:wall:

[Fassou]

There are utilities like this, but many antivirus programs consider them dangerous.

Salu2!

[apocalypse_888]

Thank you very much, I have downloaded this application and it has already given me the key to my windows, tomorrow I will call the Microsoft customer service phone and see if I am lucky…
For something legal that I have, it would bother me to be left without it, goodbye! Agur

[Fassou]

Having the license code, it is the best option (in my opinion), to get an installation DVD with the corresponding version and activate it, and if it does not do it automatically, then you call the number that Windows itself indicates, which is an automated system that works by dialing a number on the phone.

If you call Customer Service directly, you run the risk of getting a strict operator, with the issue that the license is OEM, and belongs to a computer and if you wanted to be able to install it wherever you wanted you would have had to buy the Retail version, etc... all of this putting me in the worst case scenario, that the same one you get is half normal, and everything is easy

Salu2!

[apocalypse_888]

Well, no luck...
After several failed attempts to activate Windows, I called the customer service phone, and after being referred a couple of times to other departments, I finally managed to speak to a technician (who was also Spanish and not South American!!) and he told me that no way, that the Windows I have is an OEM that comes pre-installed on a computer and that it comes with a recovery DVD in case you need to reinstall the operating system, but only if it is the same computer. The moment I changed the motherboard, I lost the license, it's that simple... such a shame, for something original that I had...
Using Windows Anytime Upgrade, and with a key that I got through work, I upgraded from Vista Home Basic to Vista Business, and although I can't activate it (since this key is an OEM from an old DELL that we threw away) for the moment I have another 30 days to solve the problem... let's see if I can do something without having to format the computer or pay for a new key... goodbye and thanks for the help, agur