How to activate Vista post-clean-install

I followed NBR's clean install guide ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=144783), but did not do the ABR thing. However, I do have the correct key code for my copy of Vista (i.e. not the one printed on the bottom of the computer), so should I just register my copy of Vista online normally, with the correct keycode? Or should I use the one Lenovo gives?

 

If you have your own copy, just enter it normally.

 

You really should have used the ABR tool to store your windows info. Now you are either going to have to reinstall windows back to the way it came (using lenovo's discs, or call up MS and have them activate the key on the bottom of the laptop. They may not activate it for you though which is why you are supposed to use the ABR utility so you don't need to call them. Just curious but why didn't you run the ABR tool?

 

Did you even read the post? He has his own copy, not the version/key provided on the bottom of the laptop.


You don't have to call MS man, just install your copy and it will activate fine (provided you haven't installed that copy before on any other machines).

 

If you have your own copy then I guess you could use that but using the OEM key that came with your machine is probably going to be easier in the long run, especially if you want to reinstall(no worries of having to call MS for activation).

 

I believe that there are 2 keys provided 1 on the bottom and one that is preactivated and nowhere in his post did I see that he has a completely separate OS copy. Sooooo, if he indeed has a OS copy that is not an oem then he can just go ahead and install it and register/activate it as normal.