[fcarl]

my windows keys are valid but my computer will not activate my keys

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Please give us more information.

Are you reinstalling XP?
If so, what version are you installing and what version if your key for?
Where did you get the install media (Flash drive or DVD)?

Try Activate Windows by phone

[Ztruker]

Please give us more information.

Are you reinstalling XP?
If so, what version are you installing and what version if your key for?
Where did you get the install media (Flash drive or DVD)?

Try Activate Windows by phone

[fcarl62]

i am running vista basic ! i spent 2 days with microsoft and they cannot fix my problem !! they say my keys a valid !! my computer is still working , but i have a black screen behind my icons ! i keep getting a message to activate my keys , either with automated phone system orpurchase new keys or enter your keys again

[Ztruker]

A bit confusing as you posted your question in a Windows XP forum.

Are you reinstalling Vista? If so are you reinstalling Vista Basic? Any other version will not work with a Basic key.

Where did you get the install media (Flash drive or DVD)?

Look here, may solve your problem:

If you do not have a Windows Vista installation DVD, you can download a legal copy with SP1 integrated from here:

Download Official Windows Vista RTM with SP1 Setup Files (32-bit and 64-bit).

Only Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 (X64 or X86) download is available, but if, during the install, you do not enter the product key
when initially prompted for it (which you must have to use the download), then you will be prompted to select the version of Vista you
want to install. You can activate once the install is done.

You do need a valid installation key, which should be on the COA sticker on the computer, to activate the installation.

Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Ultimate

Downloaded the Vista X64 or X86 files.

X64: You must be running on a 64bit (X64) system to create a 64Bit install DVD or flash drive
install.wim
boot.wim
X14-63453.exe

X86:
install.wim
boot.wim
X14-63452.exe

Double click on X14-63453.exe or X14-63452.exe. It extracts all the files into a Vista sub-folder.

Downloaded Windows Bootable Image Creator zip then extract the files to a folder.

Open the folder and run WBICreator.exe
Click Next
Select OS Type: Windows Vista
CD/DVD Label: VistaX64 or VistaX86
Setup Location: The Vista folder created when you double clicked on X14-63453.exe or X14-63452.exe.
Output Path: Somewhere with enough free space to hold the .iso file that will be created (X64 = 3,837,112KB, X86 = 3,013,816KB).
Click GO.

When done a VistaX64.iso or VistaX86.iso file will be created in the Output Path you chose.

You can use the .iso as input to a burner program like ImgBurn to create a Vista Install DVD, or you can use it as Input to
Universal USB Installer – Easy as 1 2 3 to create a Vista install flash drive.

Update: If you are going to burn a DVD to install with, you can skip the creation of the .ISO file and burn a bootable DVD to install with using ImgBurn. See the guide here for how to do this:

How to create a Windows Vista / 7 / 8 installation disc (bootable) using ImgBurn

I created a X86 flash drive and used it to install a clean copy of Vista Home Basic on my HP DV2200 Laptop. Worked great using the key on the COA sticker of the laptop.

Remember to use the X64 or X86 version of Vista you currently have.

Note: You may need to download drivers for the computer from the manufacturers web site so I would suggest getting the Network (LAN and Wireless) and video/VGA drivers ahead of time so you can install them as soon as you finish installing Vista.