Well, that is very strange.
The Main licensing subsystem is showing "Validation Code:
0x0" which means "Genuine".
There must be some part of Vista that (for lack of a better word) is "stuck" in a Non-Genuine state.
There is no signs of Tamper (which is when Vista thinks it's being hacked) and I don't see any other signs of Validation or Activation troubles. The problem must be in the Licensing Store (general term for the files that control Vista's licensing status).
Please give the below steps a try. The first set of steps will attempt to Regenerate the Store. If that doesn't work, move on to the next set of steps that will recreate the Store, by renaming one of the main licensing files which should force Vista to create a new one.
(I have you rename the file because, to Vista, renaming a file is the same as deleting it, because Vista can no longer identify it, but if you have any unforseen issues, you can just rename the file back)
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Step set #1
1) Open Internet Explorer
2) A Browser will open, type: %windir%\system32 into the address field
3) Find the file cmd.exe
4) Right Click on the cmd.exe and select Run as Administrator
5) Type: cscript slmgr.vbs -rilc (It may take a long time for this to complete, please be patient)
6) Hit the Enter key
7) Reboot 2 times
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Step set #2
1) Open Internet Browser
2) Type %windir%\system32 into the browser address bar.
3) Find the file CMD.exe
4) Right-Click on CMD.exe and select Run as Administrator
5) Type: net stop slsvc (it may ask you if you are sure, select yes)
6) Type: cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareLicensing
7) Type: rename tokens.dat tokens.bar
8) Type: cd %windir%\system32
9) Type net start slsvc
10) Reboot Twice
11) If everything goes as it should, Vista should now require you to re-enter your Product Key.
(You will need to re-activate by phone again. If the Activation call center gives you any problems for re-activating so soon from the last time, just explain that Support is troubleshooting a Licensing issue.)
Activate by Phone steps:
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 enter and 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 transfer you to a Live Rep.
Thank you,
Darin Smith
WGA Forum Manager
Attention Forum All Users: Please Do Not post your issue in someone else's Thread...Create your own.
