I have already been bitten by the Activation bug twice since purchasing my
copy of Vista Business (once as a result of a hard drive change and once
because of a Windows Update).

My question is IF I change no hardware, can I re-install without having to
reactivate (I am one of those who always preferred to reload every 6-8
months).

Thanks!

Yes you can

"Chad" <Chad@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B3EE8DEF-A2F6-4B67-9AED-756F77ED2005@microsoft.com...
>I have already been bitten by the Activation bug twice since purchasing my
> copy of Vista Business (once as a result of a hard drive change and once
> because of a Windows Update).
>
> My question is IF I change no hardware, can I re-install without having to
> reactivate (I am one of those who always preferred to reload every 6-8
> months).
>
> Thanks!

> Yes you can

Surely not? How does Vista "know" it has been previously activated if it's
just been freshly re-installed?

But it should just activate automatically on-line. There shouldn't be any
need for the phone call, so long as the hardware is unchanged.

Steve