I have a desktop running Windows Vista Ultimate.


A few weeks ago My hard drive failed. Without it I was unable to do ANYTHING with my computer. I had two drives but the one that failed was the one with Windows.

I thought if I could reinstall Windows on the remaining disc I might get going again. The windows disc I have refused to start. I don't know why.

I removed the failed drive and went to a 'computer store' in my town and lay my case before the technician. He SOLD me a restore disc (that's what he called it) It was a copy with 'Windows Vista SP 3 written on it with a magic marker. For this I paid $5.

My machine booted right up with the restore disc and went through an install routine. It did ask for a product code but since I had none it went ahead and loaded. I had a working computer again with Windows Vista. Since that time I have enjoyed a computer that behaves like new. I sent the defective drive to the maufacturer who is sending a replacement. One nagging little question:

From time to time Windows will ask me if I want to activate windows...What's this about and how should I proceed?

Thanks for any suggestions.He sold you an unauthorised version of Vista...just wait...it gets more fun as Vista continues to randomly disable User features.
They're getting really good at this.
Have you considered a phone activation ? ?
After all if your legit then your legit...Thanks for your reply.

I suspected as much. Another question:

I had installed Tax Cut on my one drive. I copied it to another partition hoping to confine my tax files to a separate spot. It refuses to open, responding with an error message: 'Side by side configuration wrong.' Is this related to the Vista copy?

Your advice is greatly appreciated.You can't simply copy a program and have it run PROPERLY...
It needs to be re-installed.Thanks for your response.
I want to buy a good partition manager and also a better IMAGE copier. I recall READING about Norton Ghost and Partition Magic. Are these still viable?
What do you reccomend?

Thanks for any advice.Paragon offers a FREE partition program...does everything Partition Magic does.
I Recently finished testing this which reminds me i still need to write a review.

As far as imaging goes i'm an Acronis True Image guy myself....have been for Years.Yep .... another vote here for Acronis True Image.

IIRC Partition Magic does not work in Vista, so save your cash.