Windows

I had an old computer and recently i switched from console to pc, so i upgraded. i was planning on keeping the windows vista i already had (i don't mind windows vista, because i don't want to spend $100 on windows 7) after i upgraded my mother board, though i needed a new product key to use the windows i already own (note: i kept my hard drive from my old computer to save money for other parts) so it booted right up and had all my settings on it already, i just needed to install some new drivers for the motherboard to work properly. i talked to some guy from microsft on the phone (he spoke with a very heavy middle eastern accent) and he eventually told me i had to buy a new code to use it. i then did an online chat with microsoft, and i instead said my old computer was damaged by a short, but the hard drive survived, this guy said i had to buy a new copy of windows, but i tried telling him i already owned windows so i just need a new code, he then told me to call the number. can anyone help me with any tips to re-activate my windows? (i live in the US) 

Thanks

If your old computer was a prebuilt pc the windows license only works for that computer.

i guess what i'm really asking is whats an easy way around this?

 

You will not receive a new Windows license, the only way around is purchasing a new one or going to Linux which is free. But don't listen to me, I may be wrong, wait for other people to give their opinions before you go and spend money on a new Windows.

Microsoft toolkit. It's amazing and a 1 click process. 

http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/28669-Microsoft-Toolkit-Official-KMS-Solution-for-Microsoft-Products

Don't torrent Windows. It's bad. Torrenting is bad. 

No, pirating is bad.  Torrenting is fine.

+1 People don't seem to like to acknowledge that torrenting and pirating aren't the same thing.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/ht/findvistakey.htm

Semantics, blah.