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    I have been running OneCare for over a year resubscribing August 15th 2008.  I am on a SBS2003 SP1 domain with three PC's.  Updates applied through WSUS 3.  Everything ran smoothly (until Sunday).

     

    I replaced the MB and other hardware on one of my PC's including hard drives.  I installed all necessary software, applied Windows updates as appropriate, and etc... including activation of all Microsoft software & O/S.

     

    I have successfully installed OneCare and I see the other two PC's by adding myself as a hub (this is how I had it configured before), but I can not get the subscription service to open on my new install.

     

    When I click on Subscribe in the Windows Live OneCare main window it shows my Windows LiveID (grayed out) so I enter my password, press the continue online button and momentarily it looks like it is going somewhere useful, but then is redirected to the following URL http://get.live.com/onecare/server?wa=wsignin1.0

     

    I'm confused?  There is nothing on this page (that I can see) that allows me to activate my client, so I have <90 days left to get this sorted out.

     

    I have uninstalled the client with the cleanup tool, reinstalled the client, renamed my PC.  I have also attempted this off and on the domain all to no avail.  I can log into the subscription service and it has all of my information, but still will not let me activate this PC.

     

    Any assistance would be appreciated,

     

    Skid Rowe 

     

     

    Monday, August 25, 2008 4:08 PM

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    I have to assume that the OneCare team is working on a permanent fix. In the meantime, this workaround from OneCare support fixed the problem for me on two PCs that had been joined to an SBS 2003 domain before installing OneCare.

     

    1. If OneCare was installed on the machine prior to joining the SBS domain, then

    a. Rename the reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\smallbusinessserver to something else

    b. Now attempt the activation with a valid OneCare subscription

    2. If OneCare was installed after joining the SBS domain, then

    a. Rename the reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\smallbusinessserver to something else

    b. Uninstall OneCare

    c. After restarting, rename the reg key again if it reappears

    d. Reinstall OneCare

    e. Now attempt the activation with a valid OneCare subscription

     

    Good luck!

    Thursday, September 11, 2008 4:17 PM

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    I purchase care one and activate it. I update my windows vista and now I I can not sign on, check my email address- adaman@verizon.net

     

    Monday, August 25, 2008 5:05 PM
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    If you entered the subscription LiveID when you installed OneCare as a trial on the rebuilt PC and it is a hub for your Circle, it *is* activated, or it should be. It sounds like the credentials are messed up on the rebuilt PC in that it is in a pseudo activated state. I think it may be worth trying the following:

    Reset the LiveID credentials - 

    http://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsOneCare/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2776450&SiteID=2

    and then try activation once again.

    Uninstall OneCare and use the cleanup tool - 

    http://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsOneCare/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=828910&SiteID=2

    and reinstall from http://onecare.live.com and activating with the subscription LiveID.

    Contact support if both solutions don't help.

    How to reach support (FAQ) - http://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsOneCare/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2421771&SiteID=2

    -steve
    Monday, August 25, 2008 6:22 PM
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     Edwin Matthews wrote:
    I purchase care one and activate it. I update my windows vista and now I I can not sign on, check my email address- adaman@verizon.net

     

    Edwin, what can you not sign into?

    How to reach support (FAQ) - http://forums.microsoft.com/WindowsOneCare/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2421771&SiteID=2

    -steve
    Monday, August 25, 2008 6:23 PM
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    I'm a long-time OneCare user, supporting more than a hundred OneCare users at lots of different businesses. (Also a big fan of the work you do at this forum, Stephen.) I know OneCare's quirks pretty well.

     

    I just ran into the problem described in the first message. It's new to me. 

     

    A brand new laptop running Vista Business SP1, doing an installation of OneCare for the first time - no prior security software, no prior installation of OneCare, plain vanilla.

     

    I clicked Subscribe, put in the Live ID of the subscription that is successfully running on two other computers, and was told that I needed a subscription, I should go buy one.

     

    Clicking the button to "buy subscription" took me to the OneCare For Servers page. That's the strange part, eh?

     

    I logged into the Windows Live billing page and confirmed that the OneCare subscription was current.

     

    Something odd going on in the subscription validation process, I think. I'll test again in a day or two. . .

     

    Wednesday, August 27, 2008 8:42 PM
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    That is odd, and thanks for the complement. I'm hoping that it was a fluke. I just installed and activated a retail copy on an XP Home machine, hooking it to an existing retail subscription and it did everything it was supposed to do. Please let me know if you encounter the same thing on a retry of activation. Something strange may have happened in the install where OneCare thinks it is running on Server, hence the reason you don't have a valid subscription for the Server product...

    -steve

     

    Thursday, August 28, 2008 2:20 PM
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    It just occurred to me - is the PC you encountered this problem on connected to an SBS domain as in the top message?

    -steve

     

    Thursday, August 28, 2008 2:34 PM
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    Funny you should mention it! Yup, it is. I had run the wizard to join the domain the day before. Hmm - where might that lead?

     

    Thursday, August 28, 2008 3:50 PM
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    I think that OneCare on the PC is taking you to an activation path for server because of the domain. It shouldn't be, but there's logic in OneCare to behave differently when joined to the SBS domain because of the OneCare for Server offering. OneCare on the PC in that environment is aware of the SBS domain, but it should not make any difference in the activation path as it requires you to activate with a LiveID for a subscription. I'm speculating that, because it is part of an SBS domain prior to installation and activation, that OneCare is looking for the subscription package that is offered with SBS 2008 - a 25 seat license and a server license, none of which apply to you.

    I'm going to ask the OneCare team to have a look at this thread. In the meantime, if you are willing, (and I don't even know if this is possible) can you reverse the domain joining wizard? Perhaps it will require a System Restore. If so, try to activate when the PC is not part of the domain and, assuming that you are successful, then run the Wizard to join the domain.

    -steve

     

    Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:00 PM
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    That particular computer is not under my control but I may be able to do some experimenting later today on a test system in my own office.

     

    That's an interesting possibility! I think you would assume this but FWIW, it's an SBS 2003 domain.

     

    Thanks! I'll let you know if I can reproduce it.

     

     

     

    Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:38 PM
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    i have removed my pc from the domain and no difference.  still getting the same result

    Thursday, August 28, 2008 6:01 PM
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    Now that you've removed the PC from the domain, let's try one additional thing, if you are willing.

    Uninstall OneCare from the PC that is unable to activate and reinstall it now that it is not a member of the SBS domain.

     

    I received confirmation late last night that a PC that is a member of an SBS domain can only activate using the server subscription package, which, of course, is not a good thing if you are running SBS Server 2003 and not 2008, or if you have chosen to use a variety of protection for the PCs in your SBS domain and on the server. I don't know if the trigger for the activation path happens at installation. Based on your experience, I think that this is the case, and the only way I can see to reset this is to reinstall OneCare while the PC is not joined to the domain.

     

    I responded to the communication that I received, stating that I considered this to be a bug in the activation process. I see no reason why a client of an SBS domain cannot activate with *any* valid OneCare subscription.

     

    -steve

     

    Friday, August 29, 2008 12:04 PM
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    Steve, I just got off the help line with a level 2 OneCare technician and although he did it quite fast he stopped the OneCare services, opened MMC and deleted a certificate that was installed with the OneCare process.  The OneCare icon turned red momentarily and then green again.  At that point the subscription process was performed successfully.

     

    Hope this helps.

     

    Friday, August 29, 2008 5:37 PM
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    Thanks for reporting that. I assume that whatever he deleted was placed there during the install of OneCare when OneCare recognized that the PC was joined to the SBS domain. The good news is that support can fix it. Now, we either need to find out what this fix is in order to help people here and get this information into Instant Help, or they need to fix the OneCare installer to not make the assumption that being part of the SBS domain means that the domain administrator owns the subscription to OneCare and has chosen to purchase the site license through the OneCare for Server activation.

    I'm going to update this thread to make your last post the answer - in essence, contact support.

    -steve

     

    Friday, August 29, 2008 6:01 PM
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    I had this happen again today on a second computer in the same SBS 2003 domain. I haven't been able to experiment yet with leaving the domain and uninstalling/reinstalling OneCare. I tried to find the path that was described - I can open a management console and see OneCare certificates but I couldn't find the right sequence to get past this subscription glitch so I won't detail it.

     

    If I have time, I'll get on the phone with support tomorrow and make a note of the exact steps, or go through the reinstallation to see what happens.

     

    Boy, I would think this deserves to get a quick fix. I can't be the only person using OneCare frequently in SBS 2003 domains.

     

    Saturday, August 30, 2008 12:30 AM
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    I'm sure you're not.  If the machine were never in a domain (fresh O/S install), completely patched, and then OneCare installed, it would go off without a hitch.  Then you could put it in the domain and all would work fine, but once it is in a domain (especially a SBS domain) it will choke (even removing it will not delete the certificates) because of the new OneCare for Server 2008.

     

    As indicated in a previous post, ask for a level 2 tech and just tell them you need to remove the certificate for OneCare, so it will not direct you to the server page when completing the subscription.

     

    Tuesday, September 2, 2008 8:40 PM
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    I have the same exact problem.  I have nine PC's in an SBS2003 domain and activation is okay but the subscription takes me to the OneCare for Server page.  Interestingly, I was able to install OneCare on one PC in the domain.  I took one PC home, changed it to a workgroup uninstalled OneCare, reinstalled OnceCare and the problem still remain. Level 1 support yesterday was unable to fix anything.  I would like to know about the certificate removal process.

    Tuesday, September 2, 2008 11:15 PM
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    This onecare activation is a neightmare, after I format my PC, and try to install oncare, I can't activate the product, wish I never purchase this useless idiot product

    Wednesday, September 3, 2008 5:53 AM
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    The One Care activation process can be a little confusing but this guide should help - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943781/en-us

    Wednesday, September 3, 2008 2:30 PM
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     BBurkert wrote:

    I have the same exact problem.  I have nine PC's in an SBS2003 domain and activation is okay but the subscription takes me to the OneCare for Server page.  Interestingly, I was able to install OneCare on one PC in the domain.  I took one PC home, changed it to a workgroup uninstalled OneCare, reinstalled OnceCare and the problem still remain. Level 1 support yesterday was unable to fix anything.  I would like to know about the certificate removal process.

     

    I don't have a solution for you (yet), but the problem is being investigated.

     

    For you, and the others with a PC in an SBS 2003 domain that can't activate OneCare except by being taken to the OneCare for Server activation path, if you can do the following, it would be very much appreciated.

    Open a command prompt [In case of Vista, right click and run as admin]

    Type (or paste) the following command :

          reg export HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SmallBusinessServer\ClientSetup c:\onecaresbs.reg

    Please zip up the exported file, onecaresbs.reg, into onecaresbs.zip, and attach it to an email. Send it to wloc@live.com with a subject line of OneCare SBS. In the message body, please provide your contact information and location in case the OneCare team wishes to touch base with you.

     

    Basically, I believe that the OneCare installation is seeing a registry entry that should not exist in a SBS2003 domain client and that key is detected by OneCare to determine the activation path.

     

    -steve

     

    Wednesday, September 3, 2008 3:25 PM
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    I think the export command is missing the "Microsoft" key - try this:

     

    reg export HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SmallBusinessServer\ClientSetup c:\onecaresbs.reg

     

    FWIW, I found that key on a Windows XP PC but I don't see the same key on a Vista PC that's joined to an SBS domain.

     

    I've sent the file to the OneCare team. Thanks for staying on this!

     

    Wednesday, September 3, 2008 4:26 PM
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    Thanks! I think you would be correct. The person who forwarded the request (and the key location) to me did so pretty late last night, so I can understand the omission.

     

    On the machines that you checked, are either of them having the activation issue with OneCare where it goes to the OneCare for Server subscription page during activation?

    -steve

     

    Wednesday, September 3, 2008 5:13 PM
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    The WinXP computer is the one with the activation issue. I sent the REG file to the SBS team. I haven't set up a Vista computer in an SBS domain since this started so I don't know if it affects Vista or not.

    Wednesday, September 3, 2008 5:39 PM
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    Thanks. I suspect that the key will show up on a VIsta machine joined to an SBS domain, too. That key is not supposed to appear in a SBS 2003 domain client, just an SBS 2007 domain client, as far as I know. Well, let me rephrase that - it is my understanding that the key was not expected (by the OneCare team) to be there except when the PC is joined to a a SBS 2007 domain.

    -steve

     

    Wednesday, September 3, 2008 6:17 PM
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    I just modified the request for the reg file. Apparently, the attachment is stripped as malicious by Windows Live Hotmail. So, please send the exported file in a zip file. Thanks!

    -steve

     

    Wednesday, September 3, 2008 6:54 PM
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    I would like to keep this post on the top.

     

    Where is the answer?  What MMC certificate was removed.  Does MS recognize this as a real problem?  What is being done?

     

    Sunday, September 7, 2008 12:58 AM
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    First TTT

    Second - Why has all status of this problem ceased?  Can we get some answers?  What about the MMC Console Certificate Removal?  Which one?  What's the procedure.

     

    Wednesday, September 10, 2008 1:21 PM
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    I have to assume that the OneCare team is working on a permanent fix. In the meantime, this workaround from OneCare support fixed the problem for me on two PCs that had been joined to an SBS 2003 domain before installing OneCare.

     

    1. If OneCare was installed on the machine prior to joining the SBS domain, then

    a. Rename the reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\smallbusinessserver to something else

    b. Now attempt the activation with a valid OneCare subscription

    2. If OneCare was installed after joining the SBS domain, then

    a. Rename the reg key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\smallbusinessserver to something else

    b. Uninstall OneCare

    c. After restarting, rename the reg key again if it reappears

    d. Reinstall OneCare

    e. Now attempt the activation with a valid OneCare subscription

     

    Good luck!

    Thursday, September 11, 2008 4:17 PM
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    Hmm. The forum software must do something interesting to reg keys. If it doesn't show up properly in the above post, the key to rename is:

     

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ smallbusinessserver

    Thursday, September 11, 2008 4:23 PM
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    Any idea when this problem will be fixed?

     

    I have the exact same problem as per the original post, on all PC's commissioned recently.  Rather annoyingly, the OneCare support mob that I have spoken to don't seem to know anything about this problem, and blame it on my GPO settings!

     

    Which MS team needs to address the problem?  (i.e. is it a problem with OneCare's code?)

     

    Cheers,
    Alan

     

    Monday, October 6, 2008 11:57 AM
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    Let's call it a problem with the OneCare activation code in that it is looking for a key that is only supposed to exist with a client is joined to a domain for SBS 2007. Apparently, that key exists in a client for SBS 2003, too. I would expect that it is a fairly high priority issue for the next "minor" program revision. I don't know when that will be, though.

    -steve

     

    Monday, October 6, 2008 4:22 PM
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