Invalid Product key

[TMan$]

I am getting upto speed with Vista Business. I installed Vista Businsess from
DVD that didn't come with the Laptop (thinkpad). I wanted to change the
product key to the one on the bottom of the laptop which is for Vista
Business before my last 3 days run out. I get an error that the key is
invalid. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Nope, your problem is that you're trying to use an OEM key with retail
media. That won't work. You need to get the restore media or Vista kit
from Lenovo and then you will be able to use the key on the bottom of the
laptop to install.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[TMan$]

If I get the Vista kit from Lenovo do I have to dump what I have done and
start over? What is the reason for this incompatablity? What is the
difference between the keys a side from retail vs oem?
--
T

Nope, your problem is that you're trying to use an OEM key with retail
media. That won't work. You need to get the restore media or Vista kit
from Lenovo and then you will be able to use the key on the bottom of the
laptop to install.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

I am getting upto speed with Vista Business. I installed Vista Businsess
from
DVD that didn't come with the Laptop (thinkpad). I wanted to change the
product key to the one on the bottom of the laptop which is for Vista
Business before my last 3 days run out. I get an error that the key is
invalid. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Patrick Keenan]

If I get the Vista kit from Lenovo do I have to dump what I have done and
start over?

Lenovo seems to be providing restore disks, not original install disks. (I
have a newer R61 and if you get the DVD, it's a restore disk). The restore
function seems to start with wiping the drive; I had to do this when I
swapped hard disks. Cloning the system partition didn't work, and the
restore function didn't allow a repair.

You could call Lenovo support to verify. Since it's their packaging, they
will have the facts.

What is the reason for this incompatablity? What is the
difference between the keys a side from retail vs oem?

Retail vs. OEM vs. Upgrade vs. Volume License keys have *never* been
transferrable, since before Activation was devised.

Your other option is to purchase a Vista Business license that exactly
matches the version you installed - that key should work.

HTH
-pk

--
T

Nope, your problem is that you're trying to use an OEM key with retail
media. That won't work. You need to get the restore media or Vista kit
from Lenovo and then you will be able to use the key on the bottom of the
laptop to install.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

I am getting upto speed with Vista Business. I installed Vista Businsess
from
DVD that didn't come with the Laptop (thinkpad). I wanted to change
the
product key to the one on the bottom of the laptop which is for Vista
Business before my last 3 days run out. I get an error that the key is
invalid. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[TMan$]

Thanks to all for input.

--
T

If I get the Vista kit from Lenovo do I have to dump what I have done and
start over?

Lenovo seems to be providing restore disks, not original install disks. (I
have a newer R61 and if you get the DVD, it's a restore disk). The restore
function seems to start with wiping the drive; I had to do this when I
swapped hard disks. Cloning the system partition didn't work, and the
restore function didn't allow a repair.

You could call Lenovo support to verify. Since it's their packaging, they
will have the facts.

What is the reason for this incompatablity? What is the
difference between the keys a side from retail vs oem?

Retail vs. OEM vs. Upgrade vs. Volume License keys have *never* been
transferrable, since before Activation was devised.

Your other option is to purchase a Vista Business license that exactly
matches the version you installed - that key should work.

HTH
-pk

--
T

Nope, your problem is that you're trying to use an OEM key with retail
media. That won't work. You need to get the restore media or Vista kit
from Lenovo and then you will be able to use the key on the bottom of the
laptop to install.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


I am getting upto speed with Vista Business. I installed Vista Businsess
from
DVD that didn't come with the Laptop (thinkpad). I wanted to change
the
product key to the one on the bottom of the laptop which is for Vista
Business before my last 3 days run out. I get an error that the key is
invalid. Am I doing something wrong?

 

[Michael Palumbo]

I am getting upto speed with Vista Business. I installed Vista Businsess
from
DVD that didn't come with the Laptop (thinkpad). I wanted to change the
product key to the one on the bottom of the laptop which is for Vista
Business before my last 3 days run out. I get an error that the key is
invalid. Am I doing something wrong?

I'm going to assume the DVD you used was a retail version, the key that
comes with the laptop would be an OEM key and it simply won't work with a
retail disk/install.

Mic