Answered by:
Can't activate VISTA BUSINESS

Question
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Hi,
I have reinstalled Vista Business on my DELL LAPTOP (Vostro 1700) by using an MSDN Microsoft Vista DVD we have in the office. Now it is saying it can't activate because the key is invalid. I have used the same key which comes with the laptop (the one stamped in the base of the laptop). I have also installed about 10 heavy weight software's (for my work) and some of them needed some patches to run on Vista... in a nutshell... it was a pain to get them all up and running... I wouldn't like to go through that again.
Could anyone help me please?
Diagnostic Report (1.7.0066.0):
-----------------------------------------
WGA Data-->
Validation Status: Genuine
Validation Code: 0
Online Validation Code: 0x0
Cached Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0x80004005
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-6WQK6-6H9X3-7WF3J
Windows Product Key Hash: H59r2OCEE1PC9Jim5Rz8387PIqQ=
Windows Product ID: 89576-OEM-7202566-45470
Windows Product ID Type: 8
Windows License Type: COA SLP
Windows OS version: 6.0.6000.2.00010100.0.0.006
CSVLK Server: N/A
CSVLK PID: N/A
ID: {BE3D260E-586A-4102-A420-3A55A4643C34}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
WGA Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows Vista (TM) Business
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 6000.vista_gdr.071009-1548
TTS Error:
Validation Diagnostic:
Resolution Status: N/A
Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A
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 Data-->
Office Status: 109 N/A
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: FCEE394C-2989-80070002_77F760FE-152-80070002_7E90FEE8-175-80070002
Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox 3 Beta 2\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
Regards, JeanMonday, January 28, 2008 4:27 PM
Answers
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Although I believe Carey is correct, I have never tried using a MSDN media with a OEM COA key, myself.
Since OEM keys Must to be Activated by Phone anyways, the best way to find out if an OEM key will work in MSDN media is by actually trying to Activate by Phone? If the activation is rejected, then we know Carey was correct.
Activate by Phone:
a) If you have access to the Start button: Click the Start button, and type in "slui.exe 4" in the search field and then press the "Enter" key. This will bring up the Activate by Phone dialog window. Follow the steps provided by the window. The phone activation process should only take about 6 minutes.
b) If you do not have access to the Start button: Reboot and login to Vista, a dialog window will come up. In that window, click the option "Access computer with reduced functionality". Once you do that, Internet Explorer or Firefox browser will open. In the address bar type "c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe" press enter, a new window will come up, type: slui 4 and hit enterand follow steps to Activate over the Phone.
NOTE: The key to this process is that you need to talk to a Live Activation Rep! When you first call, you will be interacting with an Automated Voice, either select the option to talk to a Live Rep or if there is no option, do not enter any numbers. This should force the automated voice to tansfer you to a Live Rep.
Thank you,
Darin Smith
WGA Forum ManagerTuesday, January 29, 2008 10:51 PM
All replies
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The OEM product key affixed to your Dell laptop cannot be used with a MSDN Windows Vista DVD. You can only use a "retail" product key with a MSDN Windows Vista DVD. If you wish to reinstall the Windows Vista version that originally came with your Dell laptop, you'll need to contact Dell support and order their Dell Windows Vista reinstallation disc. Otherwise, you'll need to purchase a conventional "full retail version" license (product key) for your current retail Windows Vista Business installation.
Windows Marketplace: http://www.windowsmarketplace.com/results.aspx?text=vista&tabid=1
Monday, January 28, 2008 4:37 PMModerator -
Thanks for the answer!
Although I think the solution DELL/Microsoft offers is pretty bad... it should have rejected the key when installing VISTA (I have entered it), not now. I went through about 2 whole days to get all these softwares installed.... pretty bad (I know it is not your fault).
Couldn't I call Microsoft and try to get an activation key to avoid all that problem about reinstalling everything again?
CheersMonday, January 28, 2008 4:46 PM -
Sorry, but Microsoft cannot exchange a computer manufacturer's OEM product key for a retail product key.Monday, January 28, 2008 4:51 PMModerator
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Although I believe Carey is correct, I have never tried using a MSDN media with a OEM COA key, myself.
Since OEM keys Must to be Activated by Phone anyways, the best way to find out if an OEM key will work in MSDN media is by actually trying to Activate by Phone? If the activation is rejected, then we know Carey was correct.
Activate by Phone:
a) If you have access to the Start button: Click the Start button, and type in "slui.exe 4" in the search field and then press the "Enter" key. This will bring up the Activate by Phone dialog window. Follow the steps provided by the window. The phone activation process should only take about 6 minutes.
b) If you do not have access to the Start button: Reboot and login to Vista, a dialog window will come up. In that window, click the option "Access computer with reduced functionality". Once you do that, Internet Explorer or Firefox browser will open. In the address bar type "c:\windows\system32\cmd.exe" press enter, a new window will come up, type: slui 4 and hit enterand follow steps to Activate over the Phone.
NOTE: The key to this process is that you need to talk to a Live Activation Rep! When you first call, you will be interacting with an Automated Voice, either select the option to talk to a Live Rep or if there is no option, do not enter any numbers. This should force the automated voice to tansfer you to a Live Rep.
Thank you,
Darin Smith
WGA Forum ManagerTuesday, January 29, 2008 10:51 PM