not recognizing version

I started with the evaluation version given at a show. Purchased a full
install (OEM) version, did upgrade. After installing service pack 1 all
seemed well. Bottom right of screen still says evaluation copy and a prompt
comes up saying times almost up get a real version. Changed the product key
multiple times and it keeps kicking back. What next?

If you installed a pre-release version of SP1 that is your problem because
SP1 betas and release candidates expire at the end of this month. Uninstall
SP1 and let Windows Update offer it again.

"SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:55716AB9-BEF5-4141-B1B1-48A82917368D@microsoft.com...
>I started with the evaluation version given at a show. Purchased a full
> install (OEM) version, did upgrade. After installing service pack 1 all
> seemed well. Bottom right of screen still says evaluation copy and a
> prompt
> comes up saying times almost up get a real version. Changed the product
> key
> multiple times and it keeps kicking back. What next?

http://vistasupport.mvps.org/uninstall_sp1_beta.htm

Read the above link on how to uninstall Beta SP1, then install released
version SP1
--
Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia


"SteveM" wrote:

> I started with the evaluation version given at a show. Purchased a full
> install (OEM) version, did upgrade. After installing service pack 1 all
> seemed well. Bottom right of screen still says evaluation copy and a prompt
> comes up saying times almost up get a real version. Changed the product key
> multiple times and it keeps kicking back. What next?

Removed sp1, reinstalled updates (failed) again tried to change product key,
said it was activated but key didn't change. Just to be clear, the original
load was an evaluation copy, never removed but installed over. It no longer
says evaluation copy in right corner, but numerous updates have failed. Have
reinstalled MS regsvr32 wintrust.dll

"Mick Murphy" wrote:

> http://vistasupport.mvps.org/uninstall_sp1_beta.htm
>
> Read the above link on how to uninstall Beta SP1, then install released
> version SP1
> --
> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
>
>
> "SteveM" wrote:
>
> > I started with the evaluation version given at a show. Purchased a full
> > install (OEM) version, did upgrade. After installing service pack 1 all
> > seemed well. Bottom right of screen still says evaluation copy and a prompt
> > comes up saying times almost up get a real version. Changed the product key
> > multiple times and it keeps kicking back. What next?

The update issue is probably unrelated. Use the windowsupdate newsgroup.

"SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:357BFE46-C468-466A-8449-D9B4A61021B7@microsoft.com...
> Removed sp1, reinstalled updates (failed) again tried to change product
> key,
> said it was activated but key didn't change. Just to be clear, the
> original
> load was an evaluation copy, never removed but installed over. It no
> longer
> says evaluation copy in right corner, but numerous updates have failed.
> Have
> reinstalled MS regsvr32 wintrust.dll
>
> "Mick Murphy" wrote:
>
>> http://vistasupport.mvps.org/uninstall_sp1_beta.htm
>>
>> Read the above link on how to uninstall Beta SP1, then install released
>> version SP1
>> --
>> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
>>
>>
>> "SteveM" wrote:
>>
>> > I started with the evaluation version given at a show. Purchased a full
>> > install (OEM) version, did upgrade. After installing service pack 1 all
>> > seemed well. Bottom right of screen still says evaluation copy and a
>> > prompt
>> > comes up saying times almost up get a real version. Changed the product
>> > key
>> > multiple times and it keeps kicking back. What next?

It sounds like you have a retail Vista dvd so perform an In-Place-Upgrade
with no SP1 installed unless the Vista dvd is a very recent one and has SP1
integrated (it doesn't sound like it from your posts).

This is similar to XP's Repair Install. You must start Vista Setup from the
desktop and then you proceed as in a normal upgrade installation. It will
not disturb your apps, files, and settings but make a backup anyway. It
will completely replace the OS with a clean copy and that should get rid of
any corrupted files and catalogs. Those are usually the cause of Windows
Update failures.

If you are using a laptop you must go onto AC (I think Setup will not let
you proceed on battery). You will need to catch up with Windows Update
again afterwards.

"SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:357BFE46-C468-466A-8449-D9B4A61021B7@microsoft.com...
> Removed sp1, reinstalled updates (failed) again tried to change product
> key,
> said it was activated but key didn't change. Just to be clear, the
> original
> load was an evaluation copy, never removed but installed over. It no
> longer
> says evaluation copy in right corner, but numerous updates have failed.
> Have
> reinstalled MS regsvr32 wintrust.dll
>
> "Mick Murphy" wrote:
>
>> http://vistasupport.mvps.org/uninstall_sp1_beta.htm
>>
>> Read the above link on how to uninstall Beta SP1, then install released
>> version SP1
>> --
>> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
>>
>>
>> "SteveM" wrote:
>>
>> > I started with the evaluation version given at a show. Purchased a full
>> > install (OEM) version, did upgrade. After installing service pack 1 all
>> > seemed well. Bottom right of screen still says evaluation copy and a
>> > prompt
>> > comes up saying times almost up get a real version. Changed the product
>> > key
>> > multiple times and it keeps kicking back. What next?

It's an OEM DVD. . . any change in your suggestion?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> It sounds like you have a retail Vista dvd so perform an In-Place-Upgrade
> with no SP1 installed unless the Vista dvd is a very recent one and has SP1
> integrated (it doesn't sound like it from your posts).
>
> This is similar to XP's Repair Install. You must start Vista Setup from the
> desktop and then you proceed as in a normal upgrade installation. It will
> not disturb your apps, files, and settings but make a backup anyway. It
> will completely replace the OS with a clean copy and that should get rid of
> any corrupted files and catalogs. Those are usually the cause of Windows
> Update failures.
>
> If you are using a laptop you must go onto AC (I think Setup will not let
> you proceed on battery). You will need to catch up with Windows Update
> again afterwards.
>
> "SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:357BFE46-C468-466A-8449-D9B4A61021B7@microsoft.com...
> > Removed sp1, reinstalled updates (failed) again tried to change product
> > key,
> > said it was activated but key didn't change. Just to be clear, the
> > original
> > load was an evaluation copy, never removed but installed over. It no
> > longer
> > says evaluation copy in right corner, but numerous updates have failed.
> > Have
> > reinstalled MS regsvr32 wintrust.dll
> >
> > "Mick Murphy" wrote:
> >
> >> http://vistasupport.mvps.org/uninstall_sp1_beta.htm
> >>
> >> Read the above link on how to uninstall Beta SP1, then install released
> >> version SP1
> >> --
> >> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
> >>
> >>
> >> "SteveM" wrote:
> >>
> >> > I started with the evaluation version given at a show. Purchased a full
> >> > install (OEM) version, did upgrade. After installing service pack 1 all
> >> > seemed well. Bottom right of screen still says evaluation copy and a
> >> > prompt
> >> > comes up saying times almost up get a real version. Changed the product
> >> > key
> >> > multiple times and it keeps kicking back. What next?
>

OEM dvds do not have upgrade functionality so an in-place-upgrade may be
out. It doesn't hurt to try it though since no changes are made to the
system until you reach the installation options screen and confirm a choice.
If upgrade is disabled and only custom is available, then forget my
suggestion and exit Setup without confirming. I have never been in the same
scenario you describe so I would be interested in what you find at that
point. Post back.

"SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:21AD74D6-2DB8-47D3-8DCD-1CC06711256D@microsoft.com...
> It's an OEM DVD. . . any change in your suggestion?
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
>
>> It sounds like you have a retail Vista dvd so perform an In-Place-Upgrade
>> with no SP1 installed unless the Vista dvd is a very recent one and has
>> SP1
>> integrated (it doesn't sound like it from your posts).
>>
>> This is similar to XP's Repair Install. You must start Vista Setup from
>> the
>> desktop and then you proceed as in a normal upgrade installation. It
>> will
>> not disturb your apps, files, and settings but make a backup anyway. It
>> will completely replace the OS with a clean copy and that should get rid
>> of
>> any corrupted files and catalogs. Those are usually the cause of Windows
>> Update failures.
>>
>> If you are using a laptop you must go onto AC (I think Setup will not let
>> you proceed on battery). You will need to catch up with Windows Update
>> again afterwards.
>>
>> "SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:357BFE46-C468-466A-8449-D9B4A61021B7@microsoft.com...
>> > Removed sp1, reinstalled updates (failed) again tried to change product
>> > key,
>> > said it was activated but key didn't change. Just to be clear, the
>> > original
>> > load was an evaluation copy, never removed but installed over. It no
>> > longer
>> > says evaluation copy in right corner, but numerous updates have failed.
>> > Have
>> > reinstalled MS regsvr32 wintrust.dll
>> >
>> > "Mick Murphy" wrote:
>> >
>> >> http://vistasupport.mvps.org/uninstall_sp1_beta.htm
>> >>
>> >> Read the above link on how to uninstall Beta SP1, then install
>> >> released
>> >> version SP1
>> >> --
>> >> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "SteveM" wrote:
>> >>
>> >> > I started with the evaluation version given at a show. Purchased a
>> >> > full
>> >> > install (OEM) version, did upgrade. After installing service pack 1
>> >> > all
>> >> > seemed well. Bottom right of screen still says evaluation copy and a
>> >> > prompt
>> >> > comes up saying times almost up get a real version. Changed the
>> >> > product
>> >> > key
>> >> > multiple times and it keeps kicking back. What next?
>>

upgrade not available. . . if I do install it promises to wipe out everything
on my drive! will prayer be helpful?

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> OEM dvds do not have upgrade functionality so an in-place-upgrade may be
> out. It doesn't hurt to try it though since no changes are made to the
> system until you reach the installation options screen and confirm a choice.
> If upgrade is disabled and only custom is available, then forget my
> suggestion and exit Setup without confirming. I have never been in the same
> scenario you describe so I would be interested in what you find at that
> point. Post back.
>
> "SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:21AD74D6-2DB8-47D3-8DCD-1CC06711256D@microsoft.com...
> > It's an OEM DVD. . . any change in your suggestion?
> >
> > "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
> >
> >> It sounds like you have a retail Vista dvd so perform an In-Place-Upgrade
> >> with no SP1 installed unless the Vista dvd is a very recent one and has
> >> SP1
> >> integrated (it doesn't sound like it from your posts).
> >>
> >> This is similar to XP's Repair Install. You must start Vista Setup from
> >> the
> >> desktop and then you proceed as in a normal upgrade installation. It
> >> will
> >> not disturb your apps, files, and settings but make a backup anyway. It
> >> will completely replace the OS with a clean copy and that should get rid
> >> of
> >> any corrupted files and catalogs. Those are usually the cause of Windows
> >> Update failures.
> >>
> >> If you are using a laptop you must go onto AC (I think Setup will not let
> >> you proceed on battery). You will need to catch up with Windows Update
> >> again afterwards.
> >>
> >> "SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:357BFE46-C468-466A-8449-D9B4A61021B7@microsoft.com...
> >> > Removed sp1, reinstalled updates (failed) again tried to change product
> >> > key,
> >> > said it was activated but key didn't change. Just to be clear, the
> >> > original
> >> > load was an evaluation copy, never removed but installed over. It no
> >> > longer
> >> > says evaluation copy in right corner, but numerous updates have failed.
> >> > Have
> >> > reinstalled MS regsvr32 wintrust.dll
> >> >
> >> > "Mick Murphy" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> http://vistasupport.mvps.org/uninstall_sp1_beta.htm
> >> >>
> >> >> Read the above link on how to uninstall Beta SP1, then install
> >> >> released
> >> >> version SP1
> >> >> --
> >> >> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> "SteveM" wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> > I started with the evaluation version given at a show. Purchased a
> >> >> > full
> >> >> > install (OEM) version, did upgrade. After installing service pack 1
> >> >> > all
> >> >> > seemed well. Bottom right of screen still says evaluation copy and a
> >> >> > prompt
> >> >> > comes up saying times almost up get a real version. Changed the
> >> >> > product
> >> >> > key
> >> >> > multiple times and it keeps kicking back. What next?
> >>
>

Always. :P

Use the WET wizard to save your files and settings to intermediate storage
first.

Thanks for confirming that the upgrade option is not available. I thought
so but I like to make sure about things I have not yet seen on my own.

"SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:56CAD202-570E-4408-ACFA-49B4BADCDDE3@microsoft.com...
> upgrade not available. . . if I do install it promises to wipe out
> everything
> on my drive! will prayer be helpful?
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
>
>> OEM dvds do not have upgrade functionality so an in-place-upgrade may be
>> out. It doesn't hurt to try it though since no changes are made to the
>> system until you reach the installation options screen and confirm a
>> choice.
>> If upgrade is disabled and only custom is available, then forget my
>> suggestion and exit Setup without confirming. I have never been in the
>> same
>> scenario you describe so I would be interested in what you find at that
>> point. Post back.
>>
>> "SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:21AD74D6-2DB8-47D3-8DCD-1CC06711256D@microsoft.com...
>> > It's an OEM DVD. . . any change in your suggestion?
>> >
>> > "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
>> >
>> >> It sounds like you have a retail Vista dvd so perform an
>> >> In-Place-Upgrade
>> >> with no SP1 installed unless the Vista dvd is a very recent one and
>> >> has
>> >> SP1
>> >> integrated (it doesn't sound like it from your posts).
>> >>
>> >> This is similar to XP's Repair Install. You must start Vista Setup
>> >> from
>> >> the
>> >> desktop and then you proceed as in a normal upgrade installation. It
>> >> will
>> >> not disturb your apps, files, and settings but make a backup anyway.
>> >> It
>> >> will completely replace the OS with a clean copy and that should get
>> >> rid
>> >> of
>> >> any corrupted files and catalogs. Those are usually the cause of
>> >> Windows
>> >> Update failures.
>> >>
>> >> If you are using a laptop you must go onto AC (I think Setup will not
>> >> let
>> >> you proceed on battery). You will need to catch up with Windows
>> >> Update
>> >> again afterwards.
>> >>
>> >> "SteveM" <SteveM@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:357BFE46-C468-466A-8449-D9B4A61021B7@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Removed sp1, reinstalled updates (failed) again tried to change
>> >> > product
>> >> > key,
>> >> > said it was activated but key didn't change. Just to be clear, the
>> >> > original
>> >> > load was an evaluation copy, never removed but installed over. It no
>> >> > longer
>> >> > says evaluation copy in right corner, but numerous updates have
>> >> > failed.
>> >> > Have
>> >> > reinstalled MS regsvr32 wintrust.dll
>> >> >
>> >> > "Mick Murphy" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> http://vistasupport.mvps.org/uninstall_sp1_beta.htm
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Read the above link on how to uninstall Beta SP1, then install
>> >> >> released
>> >> >> version SP1
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "SteveM" wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> > I started with the evaluation version given at a show. Purchased
>> >> >> > a
>> >> >> > full
>> >> >> > install (OEM) version, did upgrade. After installing service pack
>> >> >> > 1
>> >> >> > all
>> >> >> > seemed well. Bottom right of screen still says evaluation copy
>> >> >> > and a
>> >> >> > prompt
>> >> >> > comes up saying times almost up get a real version. Changed the
>> >> >> > product
>> >> >> > key
>> >> >> > multiple times and it keeps kicking back. What next?
>> >>
>>