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Kizz,
This may be caused from a couple of reasons. First you could have been sold a non-genuine copy of Windows XP a long time ago and just didnt realize what happened. As time passes product key codes have been identified as non-genuine and bounced against MS servers then blocked.
I understand the inconvenience you are currently experiencing and would like to provide you with some self-help options we have made available for our customers to address the issue you are currently experiencing. Please follow the steps outlined below as it could either resolve your issue or, if need be, provide us with additional information to determine the cause of this issue.
1. Ensure you log onto the computer experiencing the issue with “Administrator” rights.
2. Next we would like to confirm that you are running the most current version of the Genuine Advantage control on your computer. In order to do this please follow the below link and choose the “Validate Office” option.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine
If the above steps did not resolve your issue lets continue with the steps below.
I would like to provide some of the self-help options we have made available for our customers to address these issues. If you could please follow the steps outlined below the diagnostics Web Site will attempt to resolve the validation errors you are experiencing with Office.
http://www.microsoft.com/Genuine/diag/RunDiags.aspx?displayLang=en
Next follow the on-screen prompts to resolve the issue if any of the checks at the above site fail. You can do this by choosing the “Resolve Now” button if it appears. If, after attempting to resolve the issue as per the instructions on the above site fails, please refer to the link below and run the MGA Diagnostics tool:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012
You will be prompted to either “Run” or “Save” the tool. Choose to “Run” the tool and follow the on-screen prompts. You will receive an “Internet Explorer-Security Warning” dialog box for the “Windows Genuine Advantage Diagnostic Tool”; you must choose to “Run” this tool when prompted.
Once you are presented with the Diagnostics tool choose “Continue” to run the diagnostic report. If the “RESOLVE” button is available after running the diagnostics, please click “RESOLVE” to allow the diagnostic tool to attempt a repair.
1. After running the MGA Diagnostic tool, click on the “Windows” tab and then click on “Copy”.
2. Please return to this post and “Paste” the results here for additional review.
If the issue still has not been resolved could you please provide us with the following information?
Thank you
Stephen Holm, MS
OGA and WGA Forum ManagerFriday, June 1, 2007 8:54 PM -
Kizzakiz,
Your range of options depends upon these things:
1. What edition of Vista was installed on the laptop?
2. What type of XP license was installed on your old computer, OEM or retail? If your Certificate of Authenticity was affixed to the old computer, then it is an OEM license.....if the CoA was on the boxtop of the retail package, then it is a retail license.
Saturday, June 2, 2007 2:28 AM -
Ah ok;
1) Vista Ultimate 64 Bit
2) XP Prof. 32 Bit, Retail License.
Saturday, June 2, 2007 2:58 AM -
Kizzakiz,
Your OEM license for Vista Ultimate grants you downgrade rights to run XP Professional. So you will not "use up" the license for XP Pro that you have when you install XP Pro on your ex-Vista laptop because the XP you install will actually be operating "under" the Vista license. Of course, you can't use that now-freed-up Vista license on any other computer because it's an OEM license and tied to the laptop it came on.
Below the line is the text of a post (the thread is located at http://forums.microsoft.com/genuine/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1405893&SiteID=25) I made about two months ago that has details you will be interested in:
The link that Carey provided is in the secured OEM/systembuilder section of microsoft.com.
Here is a cut and paste of the page:
What to Know about Downgrade RightsThe following provides more details on downgrade rights for Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003 Standard and Enterprise Editions, and Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition.
Also see the Downgrade Rights FAQ
• The right to downgrade is an end-user right and is documented in the OEM System Builder product end-user license agreement or EULA.
• OEM System Builder Downgrade Rights for operating systems apply to Windows Vista Ultimate, Vista Business, Windows XP Professional, and Windows XP Tablet PC editions only. For Server, these rights apply to only Windows 2003 Server Standard and Enterprise Editions and Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition. OEM versions non mentioned do not have downgrade rights.
• If the End User chooses this option, it is noted in the Product EULA that neither Microsoft® nor the Manufacturer will supply such End User with media for such previous versions. The End User must provide the downgrade media and a valid Product Key.
• End Users can use the following media for their downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided End User has a Volume Licensing agreement), Retail (Full Package Product), or a System Builder edge-to-edge CD (provided software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License). End Users can use one legal version of the downgrade media for multiple installations. The end customer does not need to have one set of media for each PC they are downgrading, because they have acquired legitimate full operating system licenses for the most recent version, which gave them the right to downgrade.
• In the event the End User opts to downgrade, neither Microsoft nor the PC Manufacturer is obligated to provide customer product support for Customer Systems on which such previous versions are installed.
• The software may not be installed on any other computer system than the one which was downgraded under this right.
• If downgrading the End User cannot use the downgrade operating system (for example Windows XP Professional) and the most recent version which they downgraded from (for example Windows Vista Business) at the same time.
• If downgrading Windows Server 2003 or Small Business Server 2003, the End User cannot use the downgrade server software and Windows 2003 software at the same time.
• If an End User chooses to downgrade to an approved, prior version of the Windows desktop operating system, the PC Manufacturer is still required to apply the desktop operating system Certificate of Authenticity (COA) to the PC.
• End Users may reinstall Windows Vista Business, Vista Ultimate, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC edition, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Small Business Server 2003 at any time, provided the downgrade operating system has been removed from the computer, and that software is reinstalled on the PC it was originally installed on with the original OEM System Builder edge-to-edge CD distributed with the original PC. The End User will need to use the Product Key, located in the center of the Certificate of Authenticity (COA), in order to activate the product.
• When an end user is using their downgrade rights offered under the License Terms in Windows Vista Business and Ultimate versions and they use both Windows XP media and a product key that was previously activated, they will fail activation due to the hardware configuration change when installing on the Vista system. In these cases the end user will be prompted to call the Activation Support Line and explain their circumstances to the Customer Service Representative. Once it is determined that the end user has a valid Vista Business or Ultimate license, the Customer Service Representative will help them activate their software.
• For Client Access License (CAL) downgrades, end users may use Windows Device CALs and Windows User CALs with an earlier version of the software in accordance with the terms of the of the Windows Server 2003 EULA; however, due to technical incompatibilities, the end user may not use TS Device CALs with TS User CALs.
This summary is intended to be a general informational overview of the downgrade rights outlined in the End User License Agreement for the indicated Microsoft OEM System Builder product. It is not intended to be a legal analysis/interpretation of its contents. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Please refer to the actual EULA for the precise terms and conditions which govern use of the software. In the event of a conflict between this general summary and the EULA, the EULA prevails.Downgrade Rights FAQ Q. Who can install the Downgrade Software or reinstall the original software? A. A System Builder (when authorized by end user), or the end user. Because downgrade rights are an end user right granted in the end user license agreement (EULA), the end-user must first be able to accept the (EULA) associated with the software, so this software must be installed first before the Downgrade Software is installed.Q. Do I need to ship media for the Downgrade Software system as well as most recent version they are using to downgrade from? A. The System Builder may not provide the end user with the Downgrade Software media. This media must come from the end user and must be legally licensed from the Microsoft retail, OEM/System Builder, or volume license channels.
System Builders must provide the Windows Vista Business, Vista Ultimate, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition, or Windows Small Business Server 2003 media that is located in the Microsoft System Builder Pack to the end-user.Q. Can end users use Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Small Business Server 2003 software and the Downgrade Software at the same time? A. No. End users may only install and use one Microsoft operating system (either the Downgrade Software or the applicable Windows Server 2003 software) at any given time.Q. Can end users return to Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Small Business Server 2003 software after they downgrade? A. Yes. End users who downgrade may reinstall the original software when they are ready to migrate. For example, an end user who downgrades to Windows NT Server 4.0 may later return to the Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition software provided that the end user deletes Windows NT Server 4.0 software from the server.Q. How do end users reinstall the original software after downgrading to a previous allowed downgrade version? A. End users must use the original System Builder media that was included with the PC or server for reinstallation. The Downgrade Software must be deleted from the hard drive before the original software is reinstalled.Q. Where do customers get the CD to install the Downgrade Software? A. End users must use a legally licensed version of the specified previous version of the Windows desktop or server operating system to install the Downgrade Software. The Downgrade Software may be from the retail, OEM/System Builder, or volume licensing channels.As I posted in another thread that seems to have been deleted (??), the circumstances surrounding downgrade rights seem to be geared to big organizations instead of an individual such as yourself. If would be natural to expect a larger orgainzation to have oodles of copies of XP laying around, but regular folks don't normally have extra copies of XP laying around.
If you can get a CD for XP Pro, you should be able to install it using the media-matching generic Product Key from the chart at the bottom of this article: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/wpadepl.mspx Once installed, you can then run the Activation Wizard, choose activate by phone, and then speak with an activation rep to assert your downgrade rights.
If the generic PK approach does not work for some reason, then your only other option would be to borrow a copy of XP Pro from someone and use their PK to install. However, you will want to be very careful to not accidentally allow that installation of XP to activate, because if it does it will create problems for the person from whom you borrowed XP. The best way to prevent an inadvertent activation would be to disconnect from the internet before the Out Of The Box Experience Wizard runs at the conclusion of Setup.
As I posted in the previously deleted thread, all of my downgrading experience has been in circumstances where the business has had previous licensed copies of the previous OS, so I cannot say that I have made a downgrade work they way we both think it should work for you.
Saturday, June 2, 2007 7:55 PM
All replies
-
Kizz,
This may be caused from a couple of reasons. First you could have been sold a non-genuine copy of Windows XP a long time ago and just didnt realize what happened. As time passes product key codes have been identified as non-genuine and bounced against MS servers then blocked.
I understand the inconvenience you are currently experiencing and would like to provide you with some self-help options we have made available for our customers to address the issue you are currently experiencing. Please follow the steps outlined below as it could either resolve your issue or, if need be, provide us with additional information to determine the cause of this issue.
1. Ensure you log onto the computer experiencing the issue with “Administrator” rights.
2. Next we would like to confirm that you are running the most current version of the Genuine Advantage control on your computer. In order to do this please follow the below link and choose the “Validate Office” option.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine
If the above steps did not resolve your issue lets continue with the steps below.
I would like to provide some of the self-help options we have made available for our customers to address these issues. If you could please follow the steps outlined below the diagnostics Web Site will attempt to resolve the validation errors you are experiencing with Office.
http://www.microsoft.com/Genuine/diag/RunDiags.aspx?displayLang=en
Next follow the on-screen prompts to resolve the issue if any of the checks at the above site fail. You can do this by choosing the “Resolve Now” button if it appears. If, after attempting to resolve the issue as per the instructions on the above site fails, please refer to the link below and run the MGA Diagnostics tool:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012
You will be prompted to either “Run” or “Save” the tool. Choose to “Run” the tool and follow the on-screen prompts. You will receive an “Internet Explorer-Security Warning” dialog box for the “Windows Genuine Advantage Diagnostic Tool”; you must choose to “Run” this tool when prompted.
Once you are presented with the Diagnostics tool choose “Continue” to run the diagnostic report. If the “RESOLVE” button is available after running the diagnostics, please click “RESOLVE” to allow the diagnostic tool to attempt a repair.
1. After running the MGA Diagnostic tool, click on the “Windows” tab and then click on “Copy”.
2. Please return to this post and “Paste” the results here for additional review.
If the issue still has not been resolved could you please provide us with the following information?
Thank you
Stephen Holm, MS
OGA and WGA Forum ManagerFriday, June 1, 2007 8:54 PM -
Kizzakiz,
Your range of options depends upon these things:
1. What edition of Vista was installed on the laptop?
2. What type of XP license was installed on your old computer, OEM or retail? If your Certificate of Authenticity was affixed to the old computer, then it is an OEM license.....if the CoA was on the boxtop of the retail package, then it is a retail license.
Saturday, June 2, 2007 2:28 AM -
Ah ok;
1) Vista Ultimate 64 Bit
2) XP Prof. 32 Bit, Retail License.
Saturday, June 2, 2007 2:58 AM -
Kizzakiz,
Your OEM license for Vista Ultimate grants you downgrade rights to run XP Professional. So you will not "use up" the license for XP Pro that you have when you install XP Pro on your ex-Vista laptop because the XP you install will actually be operating "under" the Vista license. Of course, you can't use that now-freed-up Vista license on any other computer because it's an OEM license and tied to the laptop it came on.
Below the line is the text of a post (the thread is located at http://forums.microsoft.com/genuine/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1405893&SiteID=25) I made about two months ago that has details you will be interested in:
The link that Carey provided is in the secured OEM/systembuilder section of microsoft.com.
Here is a cut and paste of the page:
What to Know about Downgrade RightsThe following provides more details on downgrade rights for Windows Vista, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003 Standard and Enterprise Editions, and Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition.
Also see the Downgrade Rights FAQ
• The right to downgrade is an end-user right and is documented in the OEM System Builder product end-user license agreement or EULA.
• OEM System Builder Downgrade Rights for operating systems apply to Windows Vista Ultimate, Vista Business, Windows XP Professional, and Windows XP Tablet PC editions only. For Server, these rights apply to only Windows 2003 Server Standard and Enterprise Editions and Windows Small Business Server 2003 Premium Edition. OEM versions non mentioned do not have downgrade rights.
• If the End User chooses this option, it is noted in the Product EULA that neither Microsoft® nor the Manufacturer will supply such End User with media for such previous versions. The End User must provide the downgrade media and a valid Product Key.
• End Users can use the following media for their downgrade: Volume Licensing media (provided End User has a Volume Licensing agreement), Retail (Full Package Product), or a System Builder edge-to-edge CD (provided software is acquired in accordance with the Microsoft OEM System Builder License). End Users can use one legal version of the downgrade media for multiple installations. The end customer does not need to have one set of media for each PC they are downgrading, because they have acquired legitimate full operating system licenses for the most recent version, which gave them the right to downgrade.
• In the event the End User opts to downgrade, neither Microsoft nor the PC Manufacturer is obligated to provide customer product support for Customer Systems on which such previous versions are installed.
• The software may not be installed on any other computer system than the one which was downgraded under this right.
• If downgrading the End User cannot use the downgrade operating system (for example Windows XP Professional) and the most recent version which they downgraded from (for example Windows Vista Business) at the same time.
• If downgrading Windows Server 2003 or Small Business Server 2003, the End User cannot use the downgrade server software and Windows 2003 software at the same time.
• If an End User chooses to downgrade to an approved, prior version of the Windows desktop operating system, the PC Manufacturer is still required to apply the desktop operating system Certificate of Authenticity (COA) to the PC.
• End Users may reinstall Windows Vista Business, Vista Ultimate, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC edition, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Small Business Server 2003 at any time, provided the downgrade operating system has been removed from the computer, and that software is reinstalled on the PC it was originally installed on with the original OEM System Builder edge-to-edge CD distributed with the original PC. The End User will need to use the Product Key, located in the center of the Certificate of Authenticity (COA), in order to activate the product.
• When an end user is using their downgrade rights offered under the License Terms in Windows Vista Business and Ultimate versions and they use both Windows XP media and a product key that was previously activated, they will fail activation due to the hardware configuration change when installing on the Vista system. In these cases the end user will be prompted to call the Activation Support Line and explain their circumstances to the Customer Service Representative. Once it is determined that the end user has a valid Vista Business or Ultimate license, the Customer Service Representative will help them activate their software.
• For Client Access License (CAL) downgrades, end users may use Windows Device CALs and Windows User CALs with an earlier version of the software in accordance with the terms of the of the Windows Server 2003 EULA; however, due to technical incompatibilities, the end user may not use TS Device CALs with TS User CALs.
This summary is intended to be a general informational overview of the downgrade rights outlined in the End User License Agreement for the indicated Microsoft OEM System Builder product. It is not intended to be a legal analysis/interpretation of its contents. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Please refer to the actual EULA for the precise terms and conditions which govern use of the software. In the event of a conflict between this general summary and the EULA, the EULA prevails.Downgrade Rights FAQ Q. Who can install the Downgrade Software or reinstall the original software? A. A System Builder (when authorized by end user), or the end user. Because downgrade rights are an end user right granted in the end user license agreement (EULA), the end-user must first be able to accept the (EULA) associated with the software, so this software must be installed first before the Downgrade Software is installed.Q. Do I need to ship media for the Downgrade Software system as well as most recent version they are using to downgrade from? A. The System Builder may not provide the end user with the Downgrade Software media. This media must come from the end user and must be legally licensed from the Microsoft retail, OEM/System Builder, or volume license channels.
System Builders must provide the Windows Vista Business, Vista Ultimate, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition, or Windows Small Business Server 2003 media that is located in the Microsoft System Builder Pack to the end-user.Q. Can end users use Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Small Business Server 2003 software and the Downgrade Software at the same time? A. No. End users may only install and use one Microsoft operating system (either the Downgrade Software or the applicable Windows Server 2003 software) at any given time.Q. Can end users return to Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, or Windows Small Business Server 2003 software after they downgrade? A. Yes. End users who downgrade may reinstall the original software when they are ready to migrate. For example, an end user who downgrades to Windows NT Server 4.0 may later return to the Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition software provided that the end user deletes Windows NT Server 4.0 software from the server.Q. How do end users reinstall the original software after downgrading to a previous allowed downgrade version? A. End users must use the original System Builder media that was included with the PC or server for reinstallation. The Downgrade Software must be deleted from the hard drive before the original software is reinstalled.Q. Where do customers get the CD to install the Downgrade Software? A. End users must use a legally licensed version of the specified previous version of the Windows desktop or server operating system to install the Downgrade Software. The Downgrade Software may be from the retail, OEM/System Builder, or volume licensing channels.As I posted in another thread that seems to have been deleted (??), the circumstances surrounding downgrade rights seem to be geared to big organizations instead of an individual such as yourself. If would be natural to expect a larger orgainzation to have oodles of copies of XP laying around, but regular folks don't normally have extra copies of XP laying around.
If you can get a CD for XP Pro, you should be able to install it using the media-matching generic Product Key from the chart at the bottom of this article: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/deploy/wpadepl.mspx Once installed, you can then run the Activation Wizard, choose activate by phone, and then speak with an activation rep to assert your downgrade rights.
If the generic PK approach does not work for some reason, then your only other option would be to borrow a copy of XP Pro from someone and use their PK to install. However, you will want to be very careful to not accidentally allow that installation of XP to activate, because if it does it will create problems for the person from whom you borrowed XP. The best way to prevent an inadvertent activation would be to disconnect from the internet before the Out Of The Box Experience Wizard runs at the conclusion of Setup.
As I posted in the previously deleted thread, all of my downgrading experience has been in circumstances where the business has had previous licensed copies of the previous OS, so I cannot say that I have made a downgrade work they way we both think it should work for you.
Saturday, June 2, 2007 7:55 PM
