Docking or Undocking a Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) computer may prompt you to reactivate Windows

Source: Microsoft Support

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On a computer�that's running Windows Vista SP2, you may be prompted to reactivate Windows each time you dock or undock your computer or add or remove other forms of removable hardware.

This issue can be caused by the following combination of events:

1. 
   The computer's hard disk drive (HDD) has changed, or appears to have changed, due to an updated storage driver (see KB 943991).
2. 
   A docking event (dock or undock) or adding or removing an additional device to or from the computer.

The combination of these two apparent hardware changes causes the computer to have enough cumulative hardware changes (HDD + device in docking station�e.g. CD-ROM drive) to trigger an out of tolerance state.� The out of tolerance state then causes the prompt for reactivation.

To resolve this issue use one of the methods listed below:

Method 1: Install Windows Vista SP2

Windows Vista SP2 no longer uses removable hardware in it�s out of tolerance algorithm.� You may be prompted for one last activation after the SP2 install.

�

Method 2: Manually start and activate Windows using the phone activation process.

Activating by phone will force the computer to rebind and create a third activation entry on the Microsoft activation server that matches the current HDD.� Future docking and undock events will not cause a reactivation, because the only change will be the device in the docking station and this does not change to cause the out of tolerance state.

To manually phone activate the computer:� Type "slui 4" (without the quotes) from an elevated command prompt and follow the instructions:

1. 
   Click Start, All Programs, Accessories
2. 
   Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
3. 
   Click Continue or enter administrator credentials if prompted
4. 
   Type slui 0x04 and press ENTER
5. 
   Follow the instructions to Activate Windows

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For more information about Microsoft Product Activation, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/mpa.aspx

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