Cannot Reinstall Vista

[apprentice25]

I am trying to reinstall Vista. I am able to get to the screen that asks for the activation number. Once there, I type in the number. Then the next gets grayed in, and I cannot go any further. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[apprentice25]

Udate
I skipped the screen and left out the number and was able to reinstall the Vista.
Someone please explain to me what is going on. Also, how can I now activate it?

Thanks

 

[aford10]

You can call microsoft's activation number to activate it.

 

[arges86]

you may of had an OEM version.
So you have to deactivate your previous install before you can activate this one

 

[Zoron]

Windows checks to see if your product key is valid before allowing you to continue. When you finish typing the key, a green check mark is displayed beside the box after a second or two (provided you typed the correct key for the version you are installing) and you are then allowed to proceed. If the key is invalid, then it should display a red X rather than a check mark and you would not be allowed to proceed.