After loging in on Windows Vista, you receive this strange message telling you to reinstall windows to activate it.
Follow these instructions, rather than attempting to reinstall the OS.
1) Open Internet Browser
2) Type %windir%\system32 into the browser address bar.
3) Find the file CMD.exe
4) Right-Click on CMD.exe and select ‘Run as Administrator’
5) Type: net stop slsvc (it may ask you if you are sure, select yes)
6) Type: cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareLicensing
7) Type: rename tokens.dat tokens.bar
Type: cd %windir%\system32
9) Type net start slsvc
10) Type: cscript slmgr.vbs -rilc (It may take a long time for this to complete, please be patient)
11) Reboot Twice
12) You may be required to Re-Activate. Use the Activate by Phone method outlined above
