Driver updates require new product key

[Guest]

I updated drivers for my hard discs and chipset (Intel Matrix Storage
Manager, Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility, downloaded from Dell),
and Vista now requires a new product key when I try to activate again.

I do not want to pay more money to Microsoft, just for updating drivers on
my computer. How can I activate Vista 64 Ultimate Retail without paying extra
money? There has been no physical changes to my computer.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

If it won't reactivate over the internet, use the option to phone it in.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Beck]

I updated drivers for my hard discs and chipset (Intel Matrix Storage
Manager, Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility, downloaded from
Dell),
and Vista now requires a new product key when I try to activate again.

I do not want to pay more money to Microsoft, just for updating drivers on
my computer. How can I activate Vista 64 Ultimate Retail without paying
extra
money? There has been no physical changes to my computer.

There is a patch that should cure these rogue activation requests. Are you
up to date in windows update?

 

[Guest]

I updated drivers for my hard discs and chipset (Intel Matrix Storage
Manager, Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility, downloaded from Dell),
and Vista now requires a new product key when I try to activate again.

I do not want to pay more money to Microsoft, just for updating drivers on
my computer. How can I activate Vista 64 Ultimate Retail without paying extra
money? There has been no physical changes to my computer.

The first time you connect to internet, windows vista automatic updates will
download all patches. So if you have that problem is because you've disabled
the automatic updates!

 

[Guest]

I am up to date over my head, that's the problem!

Vista is updated automatically, and I regularly check to install optional
updates. Today I also updated from Dell (bios, chipset and harddisk
controllers), and Vista suddenly claims I have a new computer.

So I need a working advice please.

 

[Sly Dog]

The only available, working solution is to make the telephone call to the
Windows re-activation service and go through the inconvenience of obtaining
the re-activation code.

You don't have to pay more money to Micro$oft, you merely have to accomodate
their anti-piracy strategy.

 

[Dale]

When there are hundreds of millions of Vista PCs, this is going to cost
Microsoft a fortune bigger than some small countries' GNP.

Dale

 

[Conor]

I updated drivers for my hard discs and chipset (Intel Matrix Storage
Manager, Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility, downloaded from Dell),
and Vista now requires a new product key when I try to activate again.

I do not want to pay more money to Microsoft, just for updating drivers on
my computer. How can I activate Vista 64 Ultimate Retail without paying extra
money? There has been no physical changes to my computer.

It's a known bug. KB931573.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931573

SYMPTOMS
You may be prompted to activate Windows Vista on a computer on which
Windows Vista activation was not previously required. Although this
problem rarely occurs, it may occur during typical use of a Windows
Vista-based computer. For example, this problem may occur under one or
more of the following conditions:
? You install a device driver.
? You install a program.
? You run a new program.
? You remove a program.

 

[Guest]

I know it's a bug, I am asking how to solve the problem.

Vista is on automatic update - if I try to follow your link and manually
reinstall the update for this bug, it refuses to install; "does not apply to
your system".

I still need help to bypass this bug.

 

[Peter M]

Updating the bios is the biggest headache.... the bios is where vista
activation gets the motherboard info from but when you update a bios, the
bios string has changed so vista sees' it as a new motherboard.

 

[Guest]

It's a known bug. KB931573.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931573

When you activate Vista for the first time or when you connect to internet
the first day you buy Vista, windows update automatically download and
install this patch and so this bug will never occur!

 

[Guest]

I know it is a bug - I need help to bypass it. And Vista is on automatic
update, so this patch obviously does not work. And if I try to manually
reinstall it, I just get "this does not apply to your system".

So you are wrong - automatic update does not prevent this bug. Could you
give me some real help, not repeating your wrong answer.

 

[Guest]

Well, I also updated the bios, and also firmware to a CD/DVD burner. So Vista
cannot handle these updates. How do I bypass this problem?

 

[Beck]

I know it is a bug - I need help to bypass it. And Vista is on automatic
update, so this patch obviously does not work. And if I try to manually
reinstall it, I just get "this does not apply to your system".

So you are wrong - automatic update does not prevent this bug. Could you
give me some real help, not repeating your wrong answer.

Have you tried the free phone activation yet?

 

[Dale]

<QUOTE>
"Windows Vista is more intelligent and a bit more lenient than Windows XP
around hardware tolerance," Brown said. She referred questions to
Microsoft's Windows Activation Web page, which does not address Windows
Vista
</QUOTE>

More lenient than XP? Ok. And how much was that bridge?

Dale

 

[Dale]

I know it is a bug - I need help to bypass it. And Vista is on automatic
update, so this patch obviously does not work. And if I try to manually
reinstall it, I just get "this does not apply to your system".

So you are wrong - automatic update does not prevent this bug. Could you
give me some real help, not repeating your wrong answer.

Wait for version 2 of the patch... and then for version 3, version 4, and
version 5...

 

[Guest]

I used the product key when I installed Vista. But now Vista requires a new
key because I have updated some drivers/bios/firmware. I do not think
Keyfinder is able to give me a new key.

 

[Beck]

I used the product key when I installed Vista. But now Vista requires a new
key because I have updated some drivers/bios/firmware. I do not think
Keyfinder is able to give me a new key.

Have you tried ringing the activation line yet?

 

[Guest]

I have sent an e-mail. Should have an answer within 24 hours, I hope.

 

[Beck]

I have sent an e-mail. Should have an answer within 24 hours, I hope.

They wont be able to do much by email. If you phone them they will give you
a special key to activate. Its by far the quickest and easiest option.