Windows Vista Ultimate is behaving strangely

[copas]

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.

[patio]

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...

[copas]

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.

[patio]

You can't simply copy a program and have it run properly...
It needs to be re-installed.

[copas]

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.

[patio]

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.

[Old Fart]

Yep .... another vote here for Acronis True Image.

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