Answered by:
Blocked Key

Question
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Having a problem with a key being blocked issued by Microsoft (through our Partner Program)... Here is output of the Microsoft Genuine Advantage Diagnostic Tool:
Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
Validation Code: 50
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-WCD4Y-XXD73-GR4BR
Windows Product Key Hash: K++Jo207+CSS48xncUJsve7qXBc=
Windows Product ID: 00426-948-0434523-85624
Windows Product ID Type: 5
Windows License Type: Retail
Windows OS version: 6.1.7600.2.00010100.0.0.001
ID: {2E6D3C12-CFDE-4A16-89EC-B4D511EC611A}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: Registered, 1.9.42.0
Signed By: Microsoft
Product Name: Windows 7 Ultimate
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7600.win7_gdr.100618-1621
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: B4D0AA8B-604-645_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 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files (x86)\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-->
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\en-US\user32.dll.mui[6.1.7600.16385], Hr = 0x800b0100
Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{2E6D3C12-CFDE-4A16-89EC-B4D511EC611A}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7600.2.00010100.0.0.001</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-GR4BR</PKey><PID>00426-948-0434523-85624</PID><PIDType>5</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-1423783444-466222656-1306729390</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Model>Studio 1747</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>A06</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="6"/><Date>20100128000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>66B83607018400FE</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Eastern Standard Time(GMT-05:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>DELL </OEMID><OEMTableID>CL09 </OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults>
Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7600.16385
Name: Windows(R) 7, Ultimate edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, RETAIL channel
Activation ID: ac96e1a8-6cc4-4310-a4ff-332ce77fb5b8
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00426-00170-948-043452-00-1033-7600.0000-0182011
Installation ID: 012912530442496296097256830055391195293943021166506271
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340
Partial Product Key: GR4BR
License Status: Notification
Notification Reason: 0xC004F009 (grace time expired).
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 1/18/2011 8:05:46 PM
Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: 0x00000000
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: 12:27:2010 17:48
ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:
HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: NgAAAAEAAgABAAIAAQACAAAAAwABAAEAln0GHGgNiIJslnqIXuXOcBKXmojgNXqswPLc+3ZW
OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A
OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x20001
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
APIC PTLTD APIC
FACP INTEL CRESTLNE
HPET INTEL CRESTLNE
BOOT PTLTD $SBFTBL$
MCFG INTEL CRESTLNE
OSFR DELL DELL
SLIC DELL CL09
SSDT PmRef CpuPm
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 1:10 AM
Answers
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"AndrewBucklin" wrote in message news:fb9f372e-92ca-446d-bcf3-3efb0eba6e40...
Just got a call from the Action Pack team and they told me that because it's been activated too many times, the key has been blocked for "abuse". I was not aware that there was a limit to how many times you could wipe and reinstall Windows...?
Under normal circumstances there isn't - but too many activations in too short a period (and on too many different hardware hashes) and alarm bells ring.Darin has said that you've apparently managed to notch up 50 activation attempts in the 18 months that Win7 has been RTM - that's a fair number of installs (assuming that each was an installation, rather than a failed/succeeded activation on the same hardware)!I believe that the Action Pack entitles you to request a new Key (but never having been a subscriber, I am not sure) - Have you done so?Did the Action Pack team even attempt to establish the history, and your credentials?I'd be chasing them for a resolution - wearing hobnailed boots, and using a loud-hailer! (preferably on their phone-time!)--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, February 3, 2011 8:45 PM
Tuesday, February 1, 2011 11:18 PMModerator
All replies
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"AndrewBucklin" wrote in message news:fabb5232-9231-40e2-acce-24113a15c5cc...
Having a problem with a key being blocked issued by Microsoft (through our Partner Program)... Here is output of the Microsoft Genuine Advantage Diagnostic Tool:
Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
Validation Code: 50
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-WCD4Y-XXD73-GR4BR
Windows Product Key Hash: K++Jo207+CSS48xncUJsve7qXBc=
Windows Product ID: 00426-948-0434523-85624
Windows Product ID Type: 5
Windows License Type: Retail
Windows OS version: 6.1.7600.2.00010100.0.0.001
File Scan Data-->
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\en-US\user32.dll.mui[6.1.7600.16385], Hr = 0x800b0100
Name: Windows(R) 7, Ultimate edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, RETAIL channel
Partial Product Key: GR4BR
License Status: Notification
Notification Reason: 0xC004F009 (grace time expired).
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 1/18/2011 8:05:46 PM
The Key is not blocked - what gives you the impression it is?Your problem is caused by the file mismatch highlighted above -You can try a System Restore back to a point about 3 days ago, and see if that helps, or use the System File Checker, and try restoring the file using that....System File Checker - Instructions
Click on the Start button
type in the Search box
CMD.EXE
right-click on the only file that is found
Select Run as Administrator
- the Elevated Command Prompt window should pop up
At the Command prompt, type
SFC /SCANNOW
and hit the Enter key
Wait for the scan to finish - make a note of any error messages - and then reboot.
Visit the Validation site http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/validate and attempt to Validate Windows - again, make a note of error messages.
Run MGADiag again, and see if it's managed to clear the error - if not, post back with a new report, and we'll take another look.
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed SlothWednesday, January 19, 2011 1:32 AMModerator -
According to Microsoft, it is blocked. I tried calling in to activate, and the system says the activation can not be completed.
I even went as far as doing a fresh install on another system and trying the activation there, but the same block message comes up.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 1:42 AM -
"AndrewBucklin" wrote in message news:708c23df-4e83-49d6-af23-6daf68420c84...
According to Microsoft, it is blocked. I tried calling in to activate, and the system says the activation can not be completed.
I even went as far as doing a fresh install on another system and trying the activation there, but the same block message comes up.
'cannot be completed, and 'Blocked' are two very different things - Blocked implies that MS has taken a specific decision that a key has been abused, and locked it out of being either activated or validated..cannot be completed simply means that there's a problem.Since you say that this has happened on two PC's, the chances are that the problem is with the disk used to install it - download another one, or re-burn it at the lowest speed you can.
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed SlothWednesday, January 19, 2011 2:06 AMModerator -
Tried another brand new disc and the new install still won't active. The message that appears during internet activation is "The product key your typed has been blocked from use by Microsoft". When I try to activate via phone, after I'm done entering the installation ID the automatted system says it can't activate and tells me to contact the company I purchased the software from.Wednesday, January 19, 2011 3:45 AM
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"AndrewBucklin" wrote in message news:bbfe9fd2-cf6a-46a0-a9a7-89e6db5c8452...Tried another brand new disc and the new install still won't active. The message that appears during internet activation is "The product key your typed has been blocked from use by Microsoft". When I try to activate via phone, after I'm done entering the installation ID the automatted system says it can't activate and tells me to contact the company I purchased the software from.
Very odd - the only thing I can think of is that the user32.dll.mui problem is causing the key to be misread somehow.Usually, a Blocked Key will show up in the MGADiag report as such, which is why I queried it.Try the SFC fix I suggested.If you have a working Win 7 installation, you may be able to copy the file from that to replace the 'broken' one (you may have to do it either in Safe Mode, or from a Recovery Console boot (or BartPE/UBCD if that's easier for you).
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed SlothWednesday, January 19, 2011 4:00 AMModerator -
Here is the output of the Microsoft Genuine Advantage Diagnostic Tool when run on the new computer on a new installation of Windows:
Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-WCD4Y-XXD73-GR4BR
Windows Product Key Hash: K++Jo207+CSS48xncUJsve7qXBc=
Windows Product ID: 00426-948-0434523-85893
Windows Product ID Type: 5
Windows License Type: Retail
Windows OS version: 6.1.7600.2.00010100.0.0.001
ID: {D0E43FCB-7FDF-49E1-89B8-CD8385D7E959}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Ultimate
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255
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 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Users\Media Center\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.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-->
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watadminsvc.exe[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\npwatweb.dll[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watux.exe[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watweb.dll[Hr = 0x80070003]
Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{D0E43FCB-7FDF-49E1-89B8-CD8385D7E959}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7600.2.00010100.0.0.001</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-GR4BR</PKey><PID>00426-948-0434523-85893</PID><PIDType>5</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-3870539413-4002183858-4110808353</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>System manufacturer</Manufacturer><Model>System Product Name</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>American Megatrends Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>1606 </Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="6"/><Date>20100824000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>A8B83607018400FA</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Eastern Standard Time(GMT-05:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM/><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults>
Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7600.16385
Name: Windows(R) 7, Ultimate edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, RETAIL channel
Activation ID: ac96e1a8-6cc4-4310-a4ff-332ce77fb5b8
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00426-00170-948-043452-00-1033-7600.0000-0182011
Installation ID: 003164077161130781970991186345698314284563452174227812
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340
Partial Product Key: GR4BR
License Status: Initial grace period
Time remaining: 42240 minute(s) (29 day(s))
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 1/20/2011 1:06:17 AM
Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: N/A
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: N/A
ActiveX: Not Registered - 0x80040154
Admin Service: Not Registered - 0x80040154
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:
HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: NAAAAAEABAABAAEAAQACAAAAAQABAAEA6GG6HGp9VPIQM7byJOa6qaj2HIjqRd796MyOLg==
OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A
OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes, but no SLIC table
Windows marker version: N/A
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: N/A
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
APIC 082410 APIC1900
FACP 082410 FACP1900
SRAT AMD FAM_F_10
HPET 082410 OEMHPET
MCFG 082410 OEMMCFG
OEMB 082410 OEMB1900
SSDT A M I POWERNOW
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 3:52 PM -
I created this thread after reading the sticky thread about blocked keys in hopes that "Darin Smith MS <abbr class="affil" /> " could check the product key to see if it was indeed blocked and hopefully help resolve the issue.
Darin, are you out there?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 4:28 PM -
"AndrewBucklin" wrote in message news:5f16dce6-28d5-47b8-acf2-8d8974caba9c...
Here is the output of the Microsoft Genuine Advantage Diagnostic Tool when run on the new computer on a new installation of Windows:
Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-WCD4Y-XXD73-GR4BR
Windows Product Key Hash: K++Jo207+CSS48xncUJsve7qXBc=
Windows Product ID: 00426-948-0434523-85893
Windows Product ID Type: 5
Windows License Type: Retail
Windows OS version: 6.1.7600.2.00010100.0.0.001
ID: {D0E43FCB-7FDF-49E1-89B8-CD8385D7E959}(1)
That one doesn't have the error present in the first installation - and should activate fine.It may be worth (rather than activating it) taking that one to the Validation site, and seeing what that has to say (it should pass, and non-activated machines within the grace period are assumed to be valid)There's a good chance that the reason this one wouldn't activate is the System Clock - MGADiag is showing having been run at 01:00-ish on the 20th of Jan (and by my calculations your time currently is 11:30 on the 19th)?
There's also a possibility that the security software is getting in the way of internet activation (if you're on a company network, it could be the firewall, or routing that's the problem)try the Validation diagnostics on this machine if it fails validation
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed SlothWednesday, January 19, 2011 4:31 PMModerator -
"AndrewBucklin" wrote in message news:21b75fef-cf3c-4851-9562-c26d783ce835...
I created this thread after reading the sticky thread about blocked keys in hopes that "Darin Smith MS <abbr class="affil" /> " could check the product key to see if it was indeed blocked and hopefully help resolve the issue.
Darin, are you out there?
Dain appears to be out of he office at present - he'll check your Key when he does get back in (as he does with all threads in these forums)
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed SlothWednesday, January 19, 2011 4:33 PMModerator -
Hello AndrewBucklin,
Sorry being late to this thread, (hate being sick).
I have checked the key and it is, in fact, Activation Blocked (but not Validation Blocked).
This usually means the Activation system noticed excessive Activations that it interpreted as Abuse of the key and automatically puts a Block on it. This is further supported, for this key, by the fact that my Key Information Tool shows over 50 Activation (and/or Activation Attempts) for this key.
The process to resolve this issue is to do an Activation By Phone. When the call first connects, you will be talking to a automatic phone prompt, you will want to select the option to talk to a Live Activation Rep or if there isn't an option, don't enter anything into the phone prompt. This will force the prompt to transfer you to a Live Rep.
Once you are talking to a Live Rep, request an escalation to have the key Unblocked (Note: I hate to have to say this, but if the rep is uncooperative or don't know what you are talking about, you may need to ask for their manager or call back to get a better Rep.).
Thank you,
Darin MS- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, January 20, 2011 12:13 AM
- Unmarked as answer by AndrewBucklin Thursday, January 20, 2011 3:12 AM
Thursday, January 20, 2011 12:09 AM -
OK, thanks for checking into this. We do use this key for testing and development and have likely reformatted and deleted and recreated virtual machines using this key multiple times. And if I remember correctly, Windows 7 automatically attempts activation instead of just expiring after the grace period (which by that point, we're probably done with the test system).
Well, that was crazy. First call to the activation department and I allowed them to go through their script and try reentering the product key and reactivating by phone. Obviously that failed. Then she transferred me to Microsoft Customer Service. After speaking with that rep, and giving her all my information, she told me she'd need to transfer me to the technical support team. Being in this position before in getting transferred around, I asked for their direct number in case I was disconnected. She told me they did not have a direct number. I then asked for the direct number to get back to her in case I was disconnected, so that I would not have to go through the activation department again to get back to her. She insisted that the call would not be disconnected but I requested that she provide it anyways. So she gave me the 1-800-MICROSOFT (1-800-642-7676) number. She then transferred me and I received a message, "You have reached a non working phone number". Well, at least I got a case number (1147340446) and another phone number to try. I decided however to follow your advice and called the activation department back; thinking that they would raise the escalation themselves. This time I jumped the gun and told them why I was calling without letting them go through their script. This time I was told to dial 1-800-936-5700. Again, I decided to trust you and redial the activation department once more to try another Rep. This time, the Rep told me the same thing as the last one; to dial 1-800-936-5700. I thanked her but asked to speak to the manager this time. The manager instructed me my problem could only be resolved by the "window genuine advantage department" which can be reached Mon-Fri, 5am - 7pm Pacific Time at 1-866-530-6599. I looked at my clock and it was exactly 7pm Pacific Time. Guess I'll have to try the next day.
Am I heading in the right direction? Thanks!
Thursday, January 20, 2011 3:12 AM -
"AndrewBucklin" wrote in message news:5f0aa3ab-026d-4015-a2f0-2b13c2bf9a2c...
OK, thanks for checking into this. We do use this key for testing and development and have likely reformatted and deleted and recreated virtual machines using this key multiple times. And if I remember correctly, Windows 7 automatically attempts activation instead of just expiring after the grace period (which by that point, we're probably done with the test system).
Well, that was crazy. First call to the activation department and I allowed them to go through their script and try reentering the product key and reactivating by phone. Obviously that failed. Then she transferred me to Microsoft Customer Service. After speaking with that rep, and giving her all my information, she told me she'd need to transfer me to the technical support team. Being in this position before in getting transferred around, I asked for their direct number in case I was disconnected. She told me they did not have a direct number. I then asked for the direct number to get back to her in case I was disconnected, so that I would not have to go through the activation department again to get back to her. She insisted that the call would not be disconnected but I requested that she provide it anyways. So she gave me the 1-800-MICROSOFT (1-800-642-7676) number. She then transferred me and I received a message, "You have reached a non working phone number". Well, at least I got a case number (1147340446) and another phone number to try. I decided however to follow your advice and called the activation department back; thinking that they would raise the escalation themselves. This time I jumped the gun and told them why I was calling without letting them go through their script. This time I was told to dial 1-800-936-5700. Again, I decided to trust you and redial the activation department once more to try another Rep. This time, the Rep told me the same thing as the last one; to dial 1-800-936-5700. I thanked her but asked to speak to the manager this time. The manager instructed me my problem could only be resolved by the "window genuine advantage department" which can be reached Mon-Fri, 5am - 7pm Pacific Time at 1-866-530-6599. I looked at my clock and it was exactly 7pm Pacific Time. Guess I'll have to try the next day.
Am I heading in the right direction? Thanks!
If you're using a VM, there should be absolutely no need to activate it more than once - ever.Simply install Windows into the VM, activate it, then close down (and save) the VM and make a read-only copy.If you then 'screw up ' the VM, you can delete the affected one, then use your backup.The only time you may ever need to re-activate it is if you change the VM environment (from say VPC to VMWare).Either way - during installation you are asked whether you want to connect and activate automatically - you can always say 'No'!As to your unhappy experiences with MS Support - it does sometimes feel like rolling XXXX uphill, but if you stick with it, it does usually get the right result.Your may want to consider getting a subscription to TechNet or MSDN if you do a lot of software/hardware testing - it can work out a lot cheaper and easier than buying separate licenses for everything you may need to test.
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed SlothThursday, January 20, 2011 8:24 AMModerator -
Thanks; I will do that in the future and when installing on a physical test system, I'll make sure it doesn't automatically update.
An update to my experience: Upon calling the "Microsoft Genuine Advantage Department" and said "NO" when it asked if I had received a message asking me to active. I was then put on hold for a while until a Rep came on the line. The Rep told me she could replace the product key if I could send her an image of the product key sticker and disc. I reminded her there was no disc or product key sticker, as this product key was given to us under the Microsoft Partner program in our Action Pack subscription and that the product key is only available for viewing via the Microsoft website and .ISO images are only available to download. She told me to intead send an e-mail with a screen shot of the web page with the product key on it to genuine@one.microsoft.upgrade.com. I have done this and am waiting a response. Hopefully I can get somewhere.
Am I heading in the right direction?
- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Monday, January 24, 2011 7:56 PM
- Unmarked as answer by AndrewBucklin Monday, January 24, 2011 8:03 PM
Thursday, January 20, 2011 7:35 PM -
While this is not the exact process that was described to me for users requesting a key be unblocked, it does sound promising . Please keep me updated. I am interested in how it works out.
Darin MSThursday, January 20, 2011 8:18 PM -
"Darin Smith MS" wrote in message news:e08857aa-62eb-483f-b52c-e3f4b6853604...
While this is not the exact process that was described to me for users requesting a key be unblocked, it does sound promising . Please keep me updated. I am interested in how it works out.
Darin MS
...and that makes two of us!
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed SlothThursday, January 20, 2011 11:25 PMModerator -
Now the Microsoft Genuine Advantage department has told me that since it is not a retail key, there is nothing they can do and instructed me to contact "Action Pack Subscriptions" at 1-877-283-1925, M-F 9:30AM - 8:30PM EST. Upon contacting them, they told me to contact the activation department. I told him I had already, and they directed me to the Genuine Advantage department from which I was directed to him. Upon hearing this, he told me he'd create a case and have the back office help me after I send screen-shots of the error message, product key, and product id.
Wish me luck!
- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Monday, January 31, 2011 9:13 PM
- Unmarked as answer by AndrewBucklin Tuesday, February 1, 2011 8:58 PM
Monday, January 24, 2011 11:05 PM -
"AndrewBucklin" wrote in message news:4c9cdfe3-05c6-4de0-b645-47a20241b632...
Now the Microsoft Genuine Advantage department has told me that since it is not a retail key, there is nothing they can do and instructed me to contact "Action Pack Subscriptions" at 1-877-283-1925, M-F 9:30AM - 8:30PM EST. Upon contacting them, they told me to contact the activation department. I told him I had already, and they directed me to the Genuine Advantage department from which I was directed to him. Upon hearing this, he told me he'd create a case and have the back office help me after I send screen-shots of the error message, product key, and product id.
Wish me luck!
I do, I do!)
--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed SlothMonday, January 24, 2011 11:13 PMModerator -
Still awaiting a resolution on this... But I did get this message a few hours ago:
Hello Andrew,
This email is in regards to your Windows 7 Ult Key issue for ***, Inc. , *****.
Please note that your issue is still under investigation at this time. We will provide you with a status update in two business days. Please be assured that we are diligently monitoring your request and will see it through to resolution.
Should you have any questions please contact us at 1-800-676-7658 or by email at maps-na@microsoft.com . Please reference Case ID: ***-*******.
We appreciate your time and patience through this process.
Travis
http://www.microsoft.com/partner/
Tel: 1-800-676-7658
Fax: 1-661-702-2930
Tuesday, February 1, 2011 2:06 AM -
Just got a call from the Action Pack team and they told me that because it's been activated too many times, the key has been blocked for "abuse". I was not aware that there was a limit to how many times you could wipe and reinstall Windows...?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011 8:58 PM -
"AndrewBucklin" wrote in message news:fb9f372e-92ca-446d-bcf3-3efb0eba6e40...
Just got a call from the Action Pack team and they told me that because it's been activated too many times, the key has been blocked for "abuse". I was not aware that there was a limit to how many times you could wipe and reinstall Windows...?
Under normal circumstances there isn't - but too many activations in too short a period (and on too many different hardware hashes) and alarm bells ring.Darin has said that you've apparently managed to notch up 50 activation attempts in the 18 months that Win7 has been RTM - that's a fair number of installs (assuming that each was an installation, rather than a failed/succeeded activation on the same hardware)!I believe that the Action Pack entitles you to request a new Key (but never having been a subscriber, I am not sure) - Have you done so?Did the Action Pack team even attempt to establish the history, and your credentials?I'd be chasing them for a resolution - wearing hobnailed boots, and using a loud-hailer! (preferably on their phone-time!)--
Noel Paton | Nil Carborundum Illegitemi | CrashFixPC | The Three-toed Sloth- Marked as answer by Darin Smith MS Thursday, February 3, 2011 8:45 PM
Tuesday, February 1, 2011 11:18 PMModerator