BrisbaneBroncos Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Hey, I am trying to reinstall windows vista home premium on my computer because i think it may have a virus. I inserted the windows vista home premium install disc that came with my computer and then clicked install now. When i get to the product key page i try to enter my Windows product key that is on the side of my computerbut get the message something like "Your product key could not be validated. Please make sure you have entered it correctly"The key worked fine when i originally had to enter it when i first booted my computer up. I have checked i have entered it right about 5 times so im sure it isn't a typo. Does this mean i have to buy a new windows vista because my product key can only be used once? Is there any way i can just re install windows using my existing key? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 You could try a repair install; that should keep your existing product key. (I think.)Before reinstalling Windows, any good anti-virus software should be able to remove viruses from your system. Reformatting should be the last resort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrisbaneBroncos Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 You could try a repair install; that should keep your existing product key. (I think.)Before reinstalling Windows, any good anti-virus software should be able to remove viruses from your system. Reformatting should be the last resort.Ok thanks heaps for the help. my virus scan shows nothing but there still could be a virus? or are virus scans pretty accurate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 What anti-virus software are you using?Try an online scan at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ - use te v6.6 link at the bottom of the page. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrisbaneBroncos Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 What anti-virus software are you using?Try an online scan at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ - use te v6.6 link at the bottom of the page.AVG free edition. Ok thanks ill give it a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrisbaneBroncos Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 trend micro didn't work properly. are there any other reliable and safe online virus scans you could recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted January 26, 2009 Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 trend micro didn't work properly. are there any other reliable and safe online virus scans you could recommend?HERE :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrisbaneBroncos Posted January 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks i used the other Online Virus Scan and it was all clear :). thanks heaps everyone for your help. I appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 Hey, I am trying to reinstall windows vista home premium on my computer because i think it may have a virus. I inserted the windows vista home premium install disc that came with my computer and then clicked install now. When i get to the product key page i try to enter my Windows product key that is on the side of my computerbut get the message something like "Your product key could not be validated. Please make sure you have entered it correctly"The key worked fine when i originally had to enter it when i first booted my computer up. I have checked i have entered it right about 5 times so im sure it isn't a typo. Does this mean i have to buy a new windows vista because my product key can only be used once? Is there any way i can just re install windows using my existing key?Looks like you solved your problem without having to re-install Windows. The product key isn't usually printed on the side of a computer, but is a number printed on the packaging of the installation CD. The number on the side of the computer may be something else. There are also ways of recovering the product key from the computer after it's been installed, but I don't what they are. You should keep a copy of the product key safe somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 With respect to his personal experience, Dencandy is incorrect - see :-http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/systembuilder/The COA (showing Product Key) should be affixed to the outside of the case. The COA is not a software license – it is a visual identifier that assists in determining whether or not the Microsoft software you are running is genuine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrisbaneBroncos Posted January 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 With respect to his personal experience, Dencandy is incorrect - see :-http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/systembuilder/The COA (showing Product Key) should be affixed to the outside of the case. The COA is not a software license – it is a visual identifier that assists in determining whether or not the Microsoft software you are running is genuine.Ok thank you. It is coming up with a message that the product key on the side of my computer cannot be activated online. Does this mean if i want the software Windows Vista i have to buy another copy of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted January 27, 2009 Report Share Posted January 27, 2009 With respect to his personal experience, Dencandy is incorrect - see :-http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/systembuilder/The COA (showing Product Key) should be affixed to the outside of the case. The COA is not a software license – it is a visual identifier that assists in determining whether or not the Microsoft software you are running is genuine.Now I'm confused as well, and I'm not the only one. According to THIS ARTICLE from Windows geek Ed Bott (but dated September 2008) the number on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) cannot be used to activate Vista after a re-install. Since I know very little about either Vista or Microsoft's Systems Builder program, I won't say any more about it, except that BrisbaneBronco will probably need to contact either Microsoft or the company he brought his computer from to sort this one out. I'm sure you won't need to buy another copy of Vista, BB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrisbaneBroncos Posted January 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 Ok thank you for all your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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