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Windows Vista Activation: Product Key is not Valid; Product Key is already in use RRS feed

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    After some problems with my laptop I decided to do a clean install of Windows Vista Home Premium. I reinstalled Vista successfully, but it would not activate, when I entered the product key from the sticker on the bottom of my laptop it gave me a popup window saying that the product key does not appear to be valid. If I select to activate online now, and Show Me Details for the error that requires this change, it says

    Code 0xC004C003 The activation server determined the specified product key is in use.


    I called the automated phone hotline, was hung up on twice, and the third time spent about an hour with a robot before being told that I had to call ASUS, Microsoft couldn't help me. When I called ASUS, they told me that they had no power over the Microsoft authentication and could not help me.

    This computer had Vista authenticated before, I have a genuine Windows COA sticker with product key, but cannot activate, and the ridiculous runarounds from the phone system have done nothing. Is there any way that I can get this fixed, without being given another run around or being hung up on again?

    Friday, May 28, 2010 4:34 AM

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    Hello awestover,

    I am very sorry.  I missed the problem the first time I looked at this thread.

      The Product key currently being used is the Default Keyless Install key.

      Vista and Windows 7 allow you to install Windows without needing to enter a Product Key. When this is done, Windows uses it's own Default Keyless Install Key.  It acts as a Trial key and allows the user to use Windows for 30 days at which point the user will need to enter a Valid Product key.

       From your original post, I see that you reinstalled Windows and are strying to enter the OEM Product key from the sticker on the Laptop.

      The Problem is that you reinstall using a Retail Windows disk, but are trying to enter a OEM Product Key.  This usually does not work.  The Proper way to reinstall Windows that originally came pre-installed on a computer is to use the Windows Recovery Software thatr came with the PC.

      Before you say that the PC didn't come with any recovery software, please know that all computers that come with Windows Pre-Installed are required to have some way for the user to be able to reinstall.  Unlike in the old days, most Manufacturers no longer include a seprate disk that has the recovery software. Most Manufacturers now include the recovery software on the Hard Drive of the PC.

      To resolve your issue, please reinstall using the Recovery Software that was included with the computer.  Since you have already reinstalled using Retail software, it is likely that the Recovery Software, that was on the hard drive, has been overwritten.  In that case, please contact the computer's manufacturer for a replacment copy of the Recovery Software for that computer model.

    Thank you,

    Darin MS
    Thursday, June 3, 2010 7:06 PM

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    "awestover" wrote in message news:15f4b67c-b5a6-4616-b54b-5801810c1d94...
    > I called the automated phone hotline, was hung up on twice, and the third
    > time spent about an hour with a robot
     
    Do you mean that literally, or just as a description of the operator - it
    DOES make a difference.
     
    If you were literally talking to a robot - then you were talking to the
    monkey rather than the organ-grinder! - you need to talk to a human.
     
    Next time you phone, when you're asked to key in a number - DON'T input
    anything - even voice. This forces a real operator, and you can explain to
    them that you are NOT asking for support, you just want to re-activate your
    Windows.
     
    The reason you got pushed to ASUS was because the system thought you were
    asking for support for Windows - not an Activation ID.
     
    If you want to check whether your system should pass Activation/validation,
    then run the MGADiag tool mentioned in the sticky, and the Announcements at
    the top of the index page on this forum.
     
    --
    Noel Paton
    CrashFixPC
     
    Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
    www.crashfixpc.co.uk
     
     
    Noel Paton | CrashFixPC | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | http://www.crashfixpc.co.uk
    Friday, May 28, 2010 5:38 AM
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    I mean robot literally, the first one asked me to enter the numbers, and after a while offered to connect me to a live person, that live person said I had to be connected to customer support, after which I was transfered to an FAQ automated answer system which sounded like it was reading from the support.microsoft.com documents. When I finally got a real person I tried to explain the situation, but he said that since ASUS gave me the install disc they had to help me, if I wanted help from Microsoft I would have to buy the disc directly from them.

     

    I ran the diagonostic tool and it tells me that my product is genuine, but the partial product code it gives is completely different from the code on the sticker on the bottom of my laptop. Is it likely that this discrepancy is causing my issues?

    Friday, May 28, 2010 5:47 AM
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    "awestover" wrote in message news:02b05996-eba4-480f-b5c9-ce0da35cd080...
    >I mean robot literally, the first one asked me to enter the numbers, and
    >after a while offered to connect me to a live person, that live person said
    >I had to be connected to customer support, after which I was transfered to
    >an FAQ automated answer system which sounded like it was reading from the
    >support.microsoft.com documents. When I finally got a real person I tried
    >to explain the situation, but he said that since ASUS gave me the install
    >disc they had to help me, if I wanted help from Microsoft I would have to
    >buy the disc directly from them.
    >
    >
    >
    > I ran the diagonostic tool and it tells me that my product is genuine, but
    > the partial product code it gives is completely different from the code on
    > the sticker on the bottom of my laptop. Is it likely that this discrepancy
    > is causing my issues?
    >
     
    No - it says OEM-SLP under Channel heading?
    The one on the sticker is the CoA-SLP licence key
    The difference is that Many people have any given OEM-SLP licence key but
    only you have your CoA-SLP key.
     
    Your machine will always say Genuine during the 30-day 'grace period' - how
    long ago did you reinstall?
     
    Please Copy the results using the button - and post them here, so that we
    can check the output to confirm it is actually OK
     
     
    --
    Noel Paton
    CrashFixPC
     
    Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
    www.crashfixpc.co.uk
     
     
    Noel Paton | CrashFixPC | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | http://www.crashfixpc.co.uk
    Friday, May 28, 2010 6:02 AM
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    I just reinstalled today

     

    Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
    -----------------------------------------
    Windows Validation Data-->
    Validation Status: Genuine
    Validation Code: 0
    Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0x80004005
    Windows Product Key: *****-*****-XK376-TJ7T4-76PKF
    Windows Product Key Hash: 5QFdDDGgO8Pgmj93aZhOuZ69dH0=
    Windows Product ID: 89578-022-5000027-71429
    Windows Product ID Type: 5
    Windows License Type: Retail
    Windows OS version: 6.0.6000.2.00010300.0.0.003
    ID: {A902F3B2-669A-4043-9541-E6A76F0110C9}(3)
    Is Admin: Yes
    TestCab: 0x0
    LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    Product Name: Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium
    Architecture: 0x00000000
    Build lab: 6000.vista_rtm.061101-2205
    TTS Error:
    Validation Diagnostic:
    Resolution Status: N/A

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

    Windows XP 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
    OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
    OGAAddin.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: 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 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>{A902F3B2-669A-4043-9541-E6A76F0110C9}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.0.6000.2.00010300.0.0.003</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-76PKF</PKey><PID>89578-022-5000027-71429</PID><PIDType>5</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-1207016716-3995682056-4265604662</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>ASUSTeK Computer Inc. </Manufacturer><Model>F50SV               </Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>American Megatrends Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>203    </Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="5"/><Date>20090218000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>C0303507018400F8</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Central Standard Time(GMT-06:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>_ASUS_</OEMID><OEMTableID>Notebook</OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults> 

    Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002

    Licensing Data-->
    Software licensing service version: 6.0.6000.16386
    Name: Windows(TM) Vista, HomePremium edition
    Description: Windows Operating System - Vista, RETAIL channel
    Activation ID: 9e042223-03bf-49ae-808f-ff37f128d40d
    Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
    Extended PID: 89578-00142-022-500002-00-1033-6000.0000-1472010
    Installation ID: 015952105674470325886126597794231735275296699790715926
    Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57201
    Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57203
    Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57205
    Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57204
    Partial Product Key: 76PKF
    License Status: Initial grace period
    Time remaining: 42845 minute(s) (29 day(s))

    Windows Activation Technologies-->
    N/A

    HWID Data-->
    HWID Hash Current: OAAAAAEABAABAAEAAQABAAAABAABAAEAeqjqALKSlPS4UACivsEuT/j+8vTkOBc8bM3yA6xWRso=

    OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
    N/A

    OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
    BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
    Windows marker version: 0x20000
    OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
    BIOS Information:
      ACPI Table Name    OEMID Value    OEMTableID Value
      APIC            021809        APIC1713
      FACP            021809        FACP1713
      DBGP            021809        DBGP1713
      HPET            021809        OEMHPET
      BOOT            021809        BOOT1713
      MCFG            021809        OEMMCFG
      SLIC            _ASUS_        Notebook
      ECDT            021809        OEMECDT
      OEMB            021809        OEMB1713
      SSDT            PmRef        CpuPm

    Friday, May 28, 2010 6:05 AM
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    "awestover" wrote in message news:685ef57b-daef-4c68-aa77-9237a7ba9dd8...
    >I just reinstalled today
    >
    >
    >
    > Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
    > -----------------------------------------
    > Windows Validation Data-->
    > Validation Status: Genuine
    > Validation Code: 0
    > Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0x80004005
    > Windows Product Key: *****-*****-XK376-TJ7T4-76PKF
    > Windows Product Key Hash: 5QFdDDGgO8Pgmj93aZhOuZ69dH0=
    > Windows Product ID: 89578-022-5000027-71429
    > Windows Product ID Type: 5
    > Windows License Type: Retail
     
     
    It certainly looks good to go, to me, anyhow.! Darin will confirm/correct
    when he gets in (where is he anyhow - didn't see him yesterday?)
     
    When you entered the numbers over the phone in the automated system, it said
    you had to speak to an operator?
    In that case, try activating again -this time, when you get the automatic
    ansafone asking which service you want, don't even speak, let alone hit a
    button :).
    That should force an operator onto the line immediately.
    (I have also heard that Option 0 is the operator, but....)
     
    HTH
     
     
    Noel Paton | CrashFixPC | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | http://www.crashfixpc.co.uk
    Friday, May 28, 2010 6:15 AM
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    Hello awestover,

    I am very sorry.  I missed the problem the first time I looked at this thread.

      The Product key currently being used is the Default Keyless Install key.

      Vista and Windows 7 allow you to install Windows without needing to enter a Product Key. When this is done, Windows uses it's own Default Keyless Install Key.  It acts as a Trial key and allows the user to use Windows for 30 days at which point the user will need to enter a Valid Product key.

       From your original post, I see that you reinstalled Windows and are strying to enter the OEM Product key from the sticker on the Laptop.

      The Problem is that you reinstall using a Retail Windows disk, but are trying to enter a OEM Product Key.  This usually does not work.  The Proper way to reinstall Windows that originally came pre-installed on a computer is to use the Windows Recovery Software thatr came with the PC.

      Before you say that the PC didn't come with any recovery software, please know that all computers that come with Windows Pre-Installed are required to have some way for the user to be able to reinstall.  Unlike in the old days, most Manufacturers no longer include a seprate disk that has the recovery software. Most Manufacturers now include the recovery software on the Hard Drive of the PC.

      To resolve your issue, please reinstall using the Recovery Software that was included with the computer.  Since you have already reinstalled using Retail software, it is likely that the Recovery Software, that was on the hard drive, has been overwritten.  In that case, please contact the computer's manufacturer for a replacment copy of the Recovery Software for that computer model.

    Thank you,

    Darin MS
    Thursday, June 3, 2010 7:06 PM