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Can't activate Vista Home Premium. 0xC004C003 RRS feed

  • Question

  • I have a problem. Windows Vista Home Premium needs to be activated on my Toshiba Laptop. I put the code found on the sticker below the laptop, but it doesn't work. It says that the activation server determined the specified product key is in use. With the error code 0xC004C003. I need to activate it because I formatted my computer because I received a virus. Any help would really be appreciated since Toshiba doesn't want to help because my machine is out of warranty, and Microsoft is asking me for money to help me out for their own product which I had already bought when I received the system. Thanks.
    I have already tried talking with the telephone assistant. She send me to this forum.
    Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:20 AM

Answers

  • Hello Jose,

      That error message only means that you need to Activate by Phone. (I agree, the error message is not very informative)

    To Activate by Phone:

    a)    If you have access to the Start button: Click the Start button, and type slui 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 enter and follow steps to Activate over the Phone.

    NOTE: The important thing 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 transfer you to a Live Rep.

    Thank you,
    Darin MS

    • Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:06 PM
    Wednesday, August 26, 2009 6:06 PM