I upgraded to Vista Home Premium over XP on my C: drive. Overtime performance
became very poor. So, I did a clean install but to a new partion on another
hard Drive M:.

On boot up I get a choice of partitions. However when I try and activate my
new M: drive version I am informed the product key is already in use.

What should I do - format my C: Drive ? Any other tips ?

Hi,

Of course it's in use, you already activated it on C:. You'll need to use
the phone activation method to activate M: assuming that you are removing
the installation on C:.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
[url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]

"Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:871C675C-E08E-412D-BAC2-B034FA4658CF@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
>I upgraded to Vista Home Premium over XP on my C: drive. Overtime
>performance
> became very poor. So, I did a clean install but to a new partion on
> another
> hard Drive M:.
>
> On boot up I get a choice of partitions. However when I try and activate
> my
> new M: drive version I am informed the product key is already in use.
>
> What should I do - format my C: Drive ? Any other tips ?[/color]

Of course I want to remove the version on C: - but the uninstall process is
not straightforward. When you upgrade from XP you cannot use uninstall
programs in Control Panel. Ideally I would just deactivate the old copy. At
the moment the dual usage helps as I check out that all old programs and
files still work and are available on the new version. I will of course
telephone MS if this is the only option.

"Rick Rogers" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> Of course it's in use, you already activated it on C:. You'll need to use
> the phone activation method to activate M: assuming that you are removing
> the installation on C:.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> [url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
> Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
> My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]
>
> "Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:871C675C-E08E-412D-BAC2-B034FA4658CF@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> >I upgraded to Vista Home Premium over XP on my C: drive. Overtime
> >performance
> > became very poor. So, I did a clean install but to a new partion on
> > another
> > hard Drive M:.
> >
> > On boot up I get a choice of partitions. However when I try and activate
> > my
> > new M: drive version I am informed the product key is already in use.
> >
> > What should I do - format my C: Drive ? Any other tips ?[/color]
>
>[/color]

Hi Mark,

There is no uninstalling an NT to NT upgrade, there never has been. That was
only an option for 9x to NT upgrades (and didn't always work that well). To
remove the installation on C:, simply delete the Vista system folders and
modify the boot using bcdedit from an elevated command prompt. Do not format
C: as that is likely the system drive and contains the boot files. If you
do, you'll need to run a repair by booting the Vista DVD.

And yes, telephoning in the activation is the only option, there is no
"deactivate" method.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
[url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]

"Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BE10D748-D891-4153-95D5-39577422E4A3@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> Of course I want to remove the version on C: - but the uninstall process
> is
> not straightforward. When you upgrade from XP you cannot use uninstall
> programs in Control Panel. Ideally I would just deactivate the old copy.
> At
> the moment the dual usage helps as I check out that all old programs and
> files still work and are available on the new version. I will of course
> telephone MS if this is the only option.
>
> "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Hi,
>>
>> Of course it's in use, you already activated it on C:. You'll need to use
>> the phone activation method to activate M: assuming that you are removing
>> the installation on C:.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> [url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
>> Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
>> My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]
>>
>> "Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:871C675C-E08E-412D-BAC2-B034FA4658CF@microsoft.com...[color=darkred]
>> >I upgraded to Vista Home Premium over XP on my C: drive. Overtime
>> >performance
>> > became very poor. So, I did a clean install but to a new partion on
>> > another
>> > hard Drive M:.
>> >
>> > On boot up I get a choice of partitions. However when I try and
>> > activate
>> > my
>> > new M: drive version I am informed the product key is already in use.
>> >
>> > What should I do - format my C: Drive ? Any other tips ?[/color]
>>
>>[/color][/color]

I know its crude but if I did format C: and then arranged the BIOS to boot
from DVD and then do a repair Vista - I assume it could only see the new
version on M:.

It may not be elegant but for someone that does not know how to edit a ton
of files any reason why this could not be used as a pragmatic solution.

Thanks for you help.

"Rick Rogers" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hi Mark,
>
> There is no uninstalling an NT to NT upgrade, there never has been. That was
> only an option for 9x to NT upgrades (and didn't always work that well). To
> remove the installation on C:, simply delete the Vista system folders and
> modify the boot using bcdedit from an elevated command prompt. Do not format
> C: as that is likely the system drive and contains the boot files. If you
> do, you'll need to run a repair by booting the Vista DVD.
>
> And yes, telephoning in the activation is the only option, there is no
> "deactivate" method.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> [url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
> Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
> My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]
>
> "Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:BE10D748-D891-4153-95D5-39577422E4A3@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> > Of course I want to remove the version on C: - but the uninstall process
> > is
> > not straightforward. When you upgrade from XP you cannot use uninstall
> > programs in Control Panel. Ideally I would just deactivate the old copy.
> > At
> > the moment the dual usage helps as I check out that all old programs and
> > files still work and are available on the new version. I will of course
> > telephone MS if this is the only option.
> >
> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> Of course it's in use, you already activated it on C:. You'll need to use
> >> the phone activation method to activate M: assuming that you are removing
> >> the installation on C:.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Best of Luck,
> >>
> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> [url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
> >> Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
> >> My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]
> >>
> >> "Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:871C675C-E08E-412D-BAC2-B034FA4658CF@microsoft.com...
> >> >I upgraded to Vista Home Premium over XP on my C: drive. Overtime
> >> >performance
> >> > became very poor. So, I did a clean install but to a new partion on
> >> > another
> >> > hard Drive M:.
> >> >
> >> > On boot up I get a choice of partitions. However when I try and
> >> > activate
> >> > my
> >> > new M: drive version I am informed the product key is already in use.
> >> >
> >> > What should I do - format my C: Drive ? Any other tips ?
> >>
> >>[/color][/color]
>
>[/color]

Hi,

If you do that, then first make M: the active volume with disk manager, or
the boot files will just be rewritten to C:.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
[url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]

"Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BDD9B522-E8DF-4A7E-92DF-298F0C5344A3@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
>I know its crude but if I did format C: and then arranged the BIOS to boot
> from DVD and then do a repair Vista - I assume it could only see the new
> version on M:.
>
> It may not be elegant but for someone that does not know how to edit a ton
> of files any reason why this could not be used as a pragmatic solution.
>
> Thanks for you help.
>
> "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Hi Mark,
>>
>> There is no uninstalling an NT to NT upgrade, there never has been. That
>> was
>> only an option for 9x to NT upgrades (and didn't always work that well).
>> To
>> remove the installation on C:, simply delete the Vista system folders and
>> modify the boot using bcdedit from an elevated command prompt. Do not
>> format
>> C: as that is likely the system drive and contains the boot files. If you
>> do, you'll need to run a repair by booting the Vista DVD.
>>
>> And yes, telephoning in the activation is the only option, there is no
>> "deactivate" method.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> [url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
>> Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
>> My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]
>>
>> "Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:BE10D748-D891-4153-95D5-39577422E4A3@microsoft.com...[color=darkred]
>> > Of course I want to remove the version on C: - but the uninstall
>> > process
>> > is
>> > not straightforward. When you upgrade from XP you cannot use uninstall
>> > programs in Control Panel. Ideally I would just deactivate the old
>> > copy.
>> > At
>> > the moment the dual usage helps as I check out that all old programs
>> > and
>> > files still work and are available on the new version. I will of course
>> > telephone MS if this is the only option.
>> >
>> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi,
>> >>
>> >> Of course it's in use, you already activated it on C:. You'll need to
>> >> use
>> >> the phone activation method to activate M: assuming that you are
>> >> removing
>> >> the installation on C:.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Best of Luck,
>> >>
>> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> >> [url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
>> >> Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
>> >> My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]
>> >>
>> >> "Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:871C675C-E08E-412D-BAC2-B034FA4658CF@microsoft.com...
>> >> >I upgraded to Vista Home Premium over XP on my C: drive. Overtime
>> >> >performance
>> >> > became very poor. So, I did a clean install but to a new partion on
>> >> > another
>> >> > hard Drive M:.
>> >> >
>> >> > On boot up I get a choice of partitions. However when I try and
>> >> > activate
>> >> > my
>> >> > new M: drive version I am informed the product key is already in
>> >> > use.
>> >> >
>> >> > What should I do - format my C: Drive ? Any other tips ?
>> >>
>> >>[/color]
>>
>>[/color][/color]

Those nice people at MS have managed to give me another activation code that
will enable me to run my M: drive clean install version of Vista alongside my
XP Upgrade on C: drive.

Now I don't have the panic of having my new install deactivated in 30 days I
can concentrate on a more organised approach going forward.

In ideal world I would like to actually replace my C: drive with a new
bigger quicker disk etc.

Any chance you could recommend an organised way to move forward on this
taking into account this difficult issue of boot drives etc.

I know if this off original subject but any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

"Rick Rogers" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> If you do that, then first make M: the active volume with disk manager, or
> the boot files will just be rewritten to C:.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> [url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
> Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
> My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]
>
> "Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:BDD9B522-E8DF-4A7E-92DF-298F0C5344A3@microsoft.com...[color=green]
> >I know its crude but if I did format C: and then arranged the BIOS to boot
> > from DVD and then do a repair Vista - I assume it could only see the new
> > version on M:.
> >
> > It may not be elegant but for someone that does not know how to edit a ton
> > of files any reason why this could not be used as a pragmatic solution.
> >
> > Thanks for you help.
> >
> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> Hi Mark,
> >>
> >> There is no uninstalling an NT to NT upgrade, there never has been. That
> >> was
> >> only an option for 9x to NT upgrades (and didn't always work that well).
> >> To
> >> remove the installation on C:, simply delete the Vista system folders and
> >> modify the boot using bcdedit from an elevated command prompt. Do not
> >> format
> >> C: as that is likely the system drive and contains the boot files. If you
> >> do, you'll need to run a repair by booting the Vista DVD.
> >>
> >> And yes, telephoning in the activation is the only option, there is no
> >> "deactivate" method.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Best of Luck,
> >>
> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> [url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
> >> Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
> >> My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]
> >>
> >> "Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:BE10D748-D891-4153-95D5-39577422E4A3@microsoft.com...
> >> > Of course I want to remove the version on C: - but the uninstall
> >> > process
> >> > is
> >> > not straightforward. When you upgrade from XP you cannot use uninstall
> >> > programs in Control Panel. Ideally I would just deactivate the old
> >> > copy.
> >> > At
> >> > the moment the dual usage helps as I check out that all old programs
> >> > and
> >> > files still work and are available on the new version. I will of course
> >> > telephone MS if this is the only option.
> >> >
> >> > "Rick Rogers" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hi,
> >> >>
> >> >> Of course it's in use, you already activated it on C:. You'll need to
> >> >> use
> >> >> the phone activation method to activate M: assuming that you are
> >> >> removing
> >> >> the installation on C:.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Best of Luck,
> >> >>
> >> >> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >> >> [url]http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/[/url]
> >> >> Windows help - [url]www.rickrogers.org[/url]
> >> >> My thoughts [url]http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com[/url]
> >> >>
> >> >> "Mark" <Mark@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:871C675C-E08E-412D-BAC2-B034FA4658CF@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >I upgraded to Vista Home Premium over XP on my C: drive. Overtime
> >> >> >performance
> >> >> > became very poor. So, I did a clean install but to a new partion on
> >> >> > another
> >> >> > hard Drive M:.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > On boot up I get a choice of partitions. However when I try and
> >> >> > activate
> >> >> > my
> >> >> > new M: drive version I am informed the product key is already in
> >> >> > use.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > What should I do - format my C: Drive ? Any other tips ?
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>[/color][/color]
>
>[/color]