Vista activation code loacation

[igiveup]

I'm having trouble with bad sectors on my WD drive. Files are corrupted and hang up.

I cannot use restore as it was turned off and I cannot repair using the install cd.

I want to reload Vista home premium which is registered and activated. Before I do I want to copy the file which has the activation code. Is it in the registry and Window folder somewhere. And what is the file name?
Under win XP the file name was "Wpa.dbl "

tx

[SPARKY]

From the Microsoft site.

How many times can I install Windows on my computer before I have to activate Windows again?
You can reinstall Windows on the same computer as many times as you want because activation pairs the Windows product key with information about your computer’s hardware. If you make a significant hardware change, you might have to activate Windows again.

Will I ever need to activate my current copy of Windows again?
Maybe. You might have to activate Windows again if:• You uninstall Windows on one computer and install it on another. During installation, enter the product key that came with your copy of Windows. If automatic activation fails, follow the instructions that walk you through activating Windows by phone. You will have 30 days to activate your copy of Windows.

• You make a significant hardware change to your computer, such as upgrading the hard disk and memory at the same time. If a major hardware change requires activating Windows again, you will be notified and will have three days to activate your copy of Windows.

• You reformat your hard disk. Reformatting erases your activation status. In this case, you’ll have 30 days to activate Windows again.

• A virus infects your computer and deletes your activation status.

[Mike]

I don't think it can be backed up in Vista, but there shouldn't be a problem re-activating, if it's the same hardware you can do a new activation unlimited times.

[igiveup]

tx all.

I will install a new drive and re-install and re-activate.