Fix : You are prompted to activate Windows Vista after you install Windows Vista Service Pack 1

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After you install Windows Vista Service Pack 1, you may be prompted to activate your copy of Windows Vista. You may be prompted to do this even if the computer was previously designated as “Genuine and Activated.” Additionally, the Vista System Properties dialog box may indicate that your copy of Windows Vista is not activated.

Causes

Cause 1

Changes to hardware or to hardware device drivers are detected

art of the Windows Genuine process requires that you reactivate your computer when certain hardware is changed or when certain hardware device drivers are changed. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 may update some installed device drivers. Therefore, you may be prompted to activate Windows Vista again.

Cause 2

The copy of Windows Vista that is installed on your computer was not activated

Before you installed the service pack, an activation exploit may have been installed on your computer. This activation exploit may have been created to circumvent the Windows Vista activation process. This kind of exploit can cause extreme alterations to important system components in Windows Vista and can affect system stability. Windows Vista SP1 addresses exploits that are created to circumvent the activation process. Windows Vista SP1 also includes updates that targets and disables these exploits.

Solution

Resolution for Cause 1

Activate your copy of Windows Vista again.

To activate Windows Vista, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Computer.

2. On the toolbar, click System properties, and then click Click here to activate Windows now in the Windows activation area.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.

3. Select the Windows Vista activation method that you want, and then follow the instructions.
Note If you select the automatic activation method when you set up the computer, the automatic activation process tries to activate your copy of Windows Vista three days after you first log on.

To verify the Windows Vista activation status, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Computer.

2. Click System properties on the toolbar, and view the Windows Vista activation status in the Windows activation area.

Resolution for Cause 2

After you install the service pack on a Vista-based computer that is running this kind of exploit, the Vista activation process is reactivated. You may be prompted to activate Vista and to provide a current and valid Windows Vista license key.