Activation error code 0xC004C533 - Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:22:03 Z

Hello, all.

Around late November (3.5 months ago) i started receiving prompts to activate Vista Home Premium 32 bit on my refurbished Gateway laptop, which I bought in the fall of 2007. The OS came pre-installed on my laptop and I am unable to locate an activation key for it-- either Gateway didn't put one on or the sticker came off somehow (very doubtful, as I never noticed one), but either way I do not have a key. When I log in it tells me to activate. I have tried entering several keys provided with my laptop and none of them are valid. I have tried running the validation tool and it is unable to complete the scan, giving me an error code of 0xc004c533. I am not sure what I should copy and paste after running the Reliability and Performance Monitor (please tell me!).

Please note that I have contacted Gateway to try and get them to give me a key and they have refused every single time (even when I persisted and asked them why they would not provide me with a key when I paid for the software, they said something like "We just can't do that"). I also called Microsoft and all they did was tell me to call Gateway (which I had already done). The first time this started happening was right after I installed SP1 for the first time. Is it possible that Gateway installed a non-genuine version of Vista and SP1 enabled the software to see past this? I personally don't want to believe this, as Gateway is a large company and would get in Big Trouble for this (at least, I would see to it that they did). There was no COA (as far as I remember) and no key when I received the laptop, just a small square sitcker on the front of my laptop that said "Windows Vista" (which I removed, as such things annoy me).

Anyway, I have done a Destructive Factory Reset three times on my computer now, and every time it has cleared the issue for about two weeks and then it starts telling me to activate again. I never really paid attention, but I believe this is because, the way I am using my computer (usually putting it to Sleep and not shutting down, unless it insists that I install updates) that it takes about two weeks to install all the previous updates and get around to installing SP1.

Sorry for the long description, I wanted to be as detailed as possible. Please note I have tried the steps outlined in http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/genuinevista/thread/13ca68c1-8cf9-4bdf-ad81-87652c288943/ and step set 1 did not do anything, and step set 2 rendered Windows almost completely useless, allowing me only to log on and then I would get a message telling me to reinstall Windows (I fixed this with a simple System Restore).

Thank you.

Activation error code 0xC004C533 - Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:57:48 Z

Hello emilyelle,

For the missing Product Key part of the issue, I would be found on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) located on the side or bottom of the computer. The computer's manufacturer is responsible to providing the Certificate of Authenticity for computer's they build that have Windows pre-installed.

As for the Activation part of the issue, error code 0xc004c533 means Vista needs to be activated.

Computers, which are built by large manufactures that come with Vista Pre-Installed, come with two (2) Product Keys:

A) OEM SLP: This key comes pre-installed in Vista, when it comes from the Factory. This key is geared to work with the special instructions found only on that Manufacturer's computer hardware. So when Vista was installed using the OEM SLP key (at the factory) Vista looks at the motherboard and sees the special instructions and Self-Activates. (that's why you did not need to Activate your computer after you brought it home)

B) COA SLP: This is the Product key that you see on the sticker on the side (or bottom) of your computer. It is a valid product key, but should only be used in limited situations. The key must be Activated by Phone. (Note: All manufacturers that use the OEM SLP system are required by contract to include a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker, that has a COA SLP key, on the computer)

I can't know without a Diagnostic Report, but from your post, I assume your Vista is using an OEM SLP key, but (for whatever reason) cannot see the special instructions in the computer’s motherboard and is unable to Self-Activate.

To fix the issue, you will need to change out the OEM SLP key with the COA SLP key. The normal way to do this is to click the ‘Start’ button, right-click ‘Computer’, select ‘Properties’ and then click ‘Change Product Key’ (located in the lower right-hand side of the window). Enter the COA SLP key and follow the instructions in the Change Product Key Wizard.

So the core of the issue is that you need to either find the old COA sticker, that came with your computer, get a replacement (if posible) from Gateway or purchase a retail copy of Vista.

Darin MS

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Activation error code 0xC004C533 - Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:44:17 Z

Thank you, Darin.

Unfortunately there is no COA sticker (i have a laptop, and i have checked all over the bottom and underneath the battery), and as far as i remember there never was one. I have contacted Gateway before and they said they cannot give me one, all they can do is sell me their "Recovery DVDs" (which cost almost as much as buying Vista).

If you could please tell me what to do in order to perform a Diagnostic Report then i will be happy to do so. But i don't think much of anything will help at this point, short of buying a new copy of Vista (or installing Linux...)

Also, why does Vista seem to work fine for a few weeks after i do a Factory Restore until it suddenly starts asking me to activate again?

Activation error code 0xC004C533 - Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:17:49 Z

Hi again emilyelle,

To generate a Diagnostic Report, download and run the Genuine Diagnostics tool at this link http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012. Click "Continue", click the Windows tab, click the "Copy" button, then paste the report into a response message in this thread.

As for why Vista works fine for a few weeks after doing a Restore, when you do a restore it is like going back in time to the point the computer was first put togeather in the factory and Vista was first installed.

What should happen is Vista sees it have an OEM SLP product key, so it check to see if the specal instauctions are in the motherboard's bios. If so, it self-activates. But in your case, it apperently does not see the specal instructions and instead of self-activating it goes into "Grace Timer" mode. Depending on certain parameters, a certain amount of Grace time is provided to give the user time to change out the OEM SLP key with the COA SLP key.

Thanks,
Darin MS

Activation error code 0xC004C533 - Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:20:57 Z

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0006.1):
-----------------------------------------
WGA Data-->
Validation Status: Invalid License
Validation Code: 50
Online Validation Code: 0xc004c533
Cached Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-3RBY2-BGQ2R-DR9M6
Windows Product Key Hash: EYIpz/47G03lWRAOmk3kg+lR7Rc=
Windows Product ID: 89578-OEM-7332157-00141
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.0.6001.2.00010300.1.0.003
ID: {8AA52672-6F68-4714-ABC9-8C291F425EE6}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
WGA Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A

WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: 6.0.6002.16398

WGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WGATray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Data-->
Office Status: 102
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 - 100 Genuine
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 77F760FE-153-80070002_7E90FEE8-175-80070002_025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3_B4D0AA8B-920-80070057

Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed

File Scan Data-->

Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{8AA52672-6F68-4714-ABC9-8C291F425EE6}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0006.1</Version><OS>6.0.6001.2.00010300.1.0.003</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-DR9M6</PKey><PID>89578-OEM-7332157-00141</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-4249087955-1423130902-213919242</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Gateway                         </Manufacturer><Model>Blade-K8F                       </Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Phoenix Technologies LTD</Manufacturer><Version>84.06   </Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="4"/><Date>20061127000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>F3313507018400EE</HWID><UserLCID>1009</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Eastern Standard Time(GMT-05:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>GATEWA</OEMID><OEMTableID>SYSTEM </OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>102</Result><Products><Product GUID="{91120000-002F-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007</Name><Ver>12</Ver><PidType>19</PidType></Product></Products><Applications><App Id="16" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="18" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="1B" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="A1" Version="12" Result="100"/></Applications></Office></Software></GenuineResults>

Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002

Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.0.6001.18000
Name: Windows(TM) Vista, HomePremium edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Vista, OEM_SLP channel
Activation ID: bffdc375-bbd5-499d-8ef1-4f37b61c895f
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 89578-00146-321-500141-02-1033-6000.0000-0292009
Installation ID: 072206727106565895395016011784860123521842841441646524
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43473
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43474
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43476
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43475
Partial Product Key: DR9M6
License Status: Notification
Notification Reason: 0xC004F059.

HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: OAAAAAIAAgABAAEAAgACAAAAAwABAAEAnJ+020j9+0ieBl4/rneyGpm28vQm7HF6XPzu4KxW+vw=

OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A

OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: no, invalid SLIC table
Windows marker version: N/A
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: N/A
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name   OEMID Value   OEMTableID Value
APIC           GATEWA       SYSTEM
FACP           GATEWA       SYSTEM
MCFG           GATEWA       SYSTEM
SSDT           GATEWA       SYSTEM
SLIC           GATEWA       SYSTEM

Activation error code 0xC004C533 - Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:01:21 Z

Hi emilyelle,

Did you buy this computer Directly from a Gateway store or online directly from the Gateway website? Or did you buy it from some other retailer or e-tailer?

The reasons I ask are:

1) Gateway is unlikely to not include a COA sticker on one of their computers. The COA is how a customer knows they have Genuine Microsoft Software and Manufacturers are very careful about including it.

2) I can't be sure, but there are parts of your Diagnostic Report that give me a gut feeling that you may have had a Hacked (pirated) version of Vista.

A Hacked version of Vista is a normal Vista that they they put an OEM SLP key in and then install a "Hack" that makes Vista think it sees the "Specal Instuction" in the Motherboard's Bios. The specal instuctions are, of course, not there, but Vista thinks it is and self-activates.

About a week or so, ago, Micrsosoft released an update that makes Vista 'Ignore' a number of these types of Activation Hacks. When that happens, Vista attempts to re-self-activate (as it perodically does on it's own) but now it no longer sees the "Specal Instructions" and can't self-activate.

If you did not get the computer directly from Gateway, I suggest contacting the person or company that you did buy it from and demand the Genuine Microsoft Software, that you paid for. Or at the very least, a refund. You may also want to look into any laws (for your area) that may cover this type of situation. Lastly, I encurage you to submit a piracy report at http://microsoft.com/piracy against that person or company.

Sorry I haven't been giving you any good new,
Darin MS

Activation error code 0xC004C533 - Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:03:45 Z

I bought the laptop from TigerDirect.ca, a Canadian retailer of computers and electronics. I had a feeling that it might be pirated software too, since it seems to start asking me to activate only after i install certain updates. I will contact Tiger Direct about this. Thank you.

Activation error code 0xC004C533 - Vista Home Premium 32 bit

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:54:30 Z

hello im having the same simillair problem with my windows vista it came with product key that dosent work i tried all types of product keys and they dont work then i update sp2 now its telling me that i have ten days left here is my diagnostic report please please hep me Diagnostic Report (1.9.0006.1):
-----------------------------------------
WGA Data-->
Validation Status: Genuine
Validation Code: 0
Online Validation Code: 0x0
Cached Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-JQMWD-2QJRJ-RJ34F
Windows Product Key Hash: R8gPTEFMoOygFewoq/uOoWMpz68=
Windows Product ID: 89578-OEM-7332157-00237
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.0.6002.2.00010300.2.0.003
ID: {5CE8D935-9B19-443A-B977-6EBAFC9D51C9}(3)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
WGA Version: Registered, 1.9.9.1
Signed By: Microsoft
Product Name: Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 6002.lh_sp2rtm.090410-1830
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A

WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: 6.0.6002.16398

WGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WGATray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002

OGA Data-->
Office Status: 102
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 - 100 Genuine
OGA Version: Registered, 1.7.111.0
Signed By: Microsoft
Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3

Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Users\marie jones\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed

File Scan Data-->

Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{5CE8D935-9B19-443A-B977-6EBAFC9D51C9}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0006.1</Version><OS>6.0.6002.2.00010300.2.0.003</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-RJ34F</PKey><PID>89578-OEM-7332157-00237</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-704769462-34889237-2824112601</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>TOSHIBA</Manufacturer><Model>Satellite L300D</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Insyde Corp.</Manufacturer><Version>1.40</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="4"/><Date>20081124000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>B2333507018400F6</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Eastern Standard Time(GMT-05:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>TOSINV</OEMID><OEMTableID>TOSINV00</OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>102</Result><Products><Product GUID="{91120000-002F-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007</Name><Ver>12</Ver><Val>B0700DF7E026AFA</Val><Hash>XMimVXIdKo7EVDP+PmC0AyKsYVc=</Hash><Pid>81602-381-3917393-68040</Pid><PidType>10</PidType></Product></Products><Applications><App Id="16" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="18" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="1B" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="A1" Version="12" Result="100"/></Applications></Office></Software></GenuineResults>

Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002

Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.0.6002.18005
Name: Windows(TM) Vista, HomePremium edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Vista, OEM_SLP channel
Activation ID: bffdc375-bbd5-499d-8ef1-4f37b61c895f
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 89578-00146-321-500237-02-1033-6002.0000-1842009
Installation ID: 012063286051502664996016627506963073120902539856320904
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43473
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43474
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43476
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=43475
Partial Product Key: RJ34F
License Status: Initial grace period
Time remaining: 14760 minute(s) (10 day(s))

HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: NgAAAAEABAABAAEAAQABAAAAAwABAAEAJJTSdNqPsK4yy1T5EDNQHdRK8vTMSQKEli6sVn4o

OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A

OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: no, invalid SLIC table
Windows marker version: N/A
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: N/A
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
APIC   TOSINV  TOSINV00
FACP   TOSINV  TOSINV00
HPET   TOSINV  TOSINV00
BOOT   TOSINV  TOSINV00
MCFG   TOSINV  TOSINV00
SLIC   TOSINV  TOSINV00
SSDT   AMD     PowerNow