help clear up new VISTA ( newbie needs help )

[jrf2027]

So, an OEM does not require you to reactivate each time you reinstall? I've never dealt with an OEM before.

Not if you use ABR to backup your OEM preactivation prior to reinstalling Vista, and use ABR to restore your OEM preactivation after reinstalling Vista.

AFAIK, it only works for royalty OEM preactivations, not system builder OEM activations. But it works beautifully on my Gateway desktop and Toshiba laptop...and should work for the OP's system.

[knowitall_wannabe]

Keris said it best. Clean the SOB (format) and start anew. Best policy, no question.