Can't access Vista C: drive. Product bogus?

[Konglow]

Vista(32) has been working just fine for months. Then, all of a sudden, it says my thirty days to register has run out and in the lower right corner it tells me my copy of Vista is bogus.It allows me to enter my Product Key but won't accept it. I get no access to the HD(200). I tried accessing with another computer but got the same results.
My remedy is to install a new HD(320) and put Vista(32) on it. I want to install the old Vista HD on my XP Pro unit.
So know we come to the problem. I can't get access to the HD to take Vista off. I don't want to loose the info in its files. I can't log on and I get the same message on either computer. How can I access the HD(200) to remove the OS(Vista) without removing files? Would appreciate any helpful advice.

WIN Vista Ultimate 32.
ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Dual PCIe.
AMD Athlon 64X2 6000 Dual Core 3.7
Kingwin Mach 1 600watt MA1S.
OCZ Platinum XTC 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (4x1024MB).
XFX GeForce 8800GTS 320Mb XXX DDR3 PCI Express w/Dual DVI & HDTV Out (Retail).
NEC 22" MultiSync FE2111(SB)(Dual Monitors).
Maxtor 2HD = 1Terabyte

EI 5.2

 

[wolluf]

What do you mean by 'no access'. What happens when you try to access this drive when its mounted as second or slave drive? Can you run chkdsk on it? Can you access its properties?

 

[Konglow]

When mounted as second or slave it overrides my XP C: drive.
When started I get my MB logo and all options.Then Win Vista loads followed by Password screen. I enter Passsword and get working Welcome screen. Then I get blu scrn with the following in lower rt hand scrn:
Windows Vista(TM)
Build 6000
This copy of Windows is not genuine.

No options on blu scrn, only option is to shut down.

I tried F8 and disabled Drvr Sig but did not help. Don't even get the options list I got earlier (provide key, etc).

Thanks for aiding me here. I'm at a loss but maybe there is something you know that I don't. MB startup options are availlable(TAB, DELETE & F8).

WIN Vista Ultimate 32.
ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Dual PCIe.
AMD Athlon 64X2 6000 Dual Core 3.7
Kingwin Mach 1 600watt MA1S.
OCZ Platinum XTC 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (4x1024MB).
XFX GeForce 8800GTS 320Mb XXX DDR3 PCI Express w/Dual DVI & HDTV Out (Retail).
NEC 22" MultiSync FE2111(SB)(Dual Monitors).
Maxtor 2HD = 1Terabyte

EI 5.2

 

[mrdenny]

Stupid question here, is the copy of Vista Legit? If so call Microsoft. They will be able to get you a working key. I've had to call them for Windows XP, they were very helpful.

If it's not a legit key you are hosed and need to purchase a key.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)
MCTS (SQL 2005 / Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0: Configuration / Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007: Configuration)
MCITP Database Administrator (SQL 2005) / Database Developer (SQL 2005)

My Blog

 

[wolluf]

If you install the drive in XP machine, you just need to make sure that XP drive is set as first boot drive in the bios - then it will boot XP and not Vista - which should get you access to the drive (booting is determined by bios, a Vista hard drive can't 'override' XP unless your bios makes it first boot device).

As Denny says, if it is legit, call MS. There were some problems earlier in year with Vista (I had to re-activate my already activated copy, because of an MS glitch).

 

[smah]

See if this helps with your [google]reduced functionality[/google] problem:

http://content.zdnet.com/2346-12554_22-56073.html

 

[linney]

Error message when you start Windows Vista: "Your activation period has expired"

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=933175#appliesto

These posts mention a MGA Diagnostic tool, it might be worth trying?

Can not activate Vista Premium

http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2128258&SiteID=25

http://www.google.com/search?q=mga+diagnostic+vista&rls=com.microsoft:

This is XP related but it talks about certain login scripts that can cause problems with Activation etc.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312295

 

[Konglow]

I want to thank you all for your input. I have learned much from all of your suggestions.
I pulled my C:drive and moved it to my XP machine. Then reloaded Vista Ultimate onto a new drive. There were no problems with it registering and this is the same disk that it called a fake.
This site and all those who help here have made this the best source for solutions that I have ever found. Thank you all so much.

WIN Vista Ultimate 32.
ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe Dual PCIe.
AMD Athlon 64X2 6000 Dual Core 3.7
Kingwin Mach 1 600watt MA1S.
OCZ Platinum XTC 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (4x1024MB).
XFX GeForce 8800GTS 320Mb XXX DDR3 PCI Express w/Dual DVI & HDTV Out (Retail).
NEC 22" MultiSync FE2111(SB)(Dual Monitors).
Maxtor 2HD = 1Terabyte

EI 5.2

 

[linney]

Tek-Tips is a good place to visit even if you don't have any technical problems yourself, I am still learning lots just from what I read on here.

Thank you for the feedback and the nice thanks that you gave to the other members too.