Windows Vista activation woes

When I was away on vacation, my newly installed copy of Windows Vista Ultimate de-activated. Yet, because Vista is having so much trouble correctly identifying my simple/stupid DHCP configuration, I can't activate on-line.

I refuse to use the touch-tone call in system.

Today, I moved the Vista box in question, Area 51, to the third floor office where we have a connection via RCN. I've noticed a new option (I don't think it was there before -- I'm sure I would have noticed it) that shows up on the first Windows Activation dialog that appears just after I log in:

Access your computer with reduced functionality
This will also allow you to buy a product key on line

This isn't really what I want to do, but it opens a full screen window for MSIE. From here, the address bar slides out from the top of the screen when I mouse up there.

Now, all I need to do is press Alt-Tab to go back to the original Windows Activation dialog that popped up originally, and now select the "activate online" option.

This is the most opaque, confusing process I've had to hop through in some time -- and it's critical to get the computer to run correctly!

Amazingly, I'm all set. Now that I've activated, Vista auto-magically displays the task bar &c. Since I'm connected to a new router & ISP, it's time to do the network shuffle.

Vista asks:

Select a location for the 'Network 2' network.

I pick "Home" and I'm all set. Now, Start > All Programs > Windows Update, [Check for Updates].

Quote of the day appears:

To check for updates, you must first install an update for Windows Update. Your automatic updating settings will not change.

From the sounds of it, I should be relieved. Did I mention I was updating? Yes, and 13 are available. Off I go...