Activation Error & System Instability

[Spanishcat]

Vista 32bit Home Prem, Core2Duo's at 2.13Ghz, 2Gb memory, GeForce 7600GT
card.
After increasingly unstable performance - 5+Bluescreen crashes a day - I
attempted to update drivers for my video card, following general Vista
updates. Updated driver installed, but Windows could not load it. I rolled
back the driver, yet it had no effect.
Upon restart (following multiple failures of Windows Explorer), a
blackscreen diskcheck came up - checking disk for 'consistency'. After the
check, a screen telling me Windows Activation has expired, offered me
multiple choices to proceed.
I have already successfully activated my genuine Windows program.
Upon re-entering the Product ID, I was greeted with "Error code: 0x004F050
- soft liscense reported that the product key is invalid".

I'm getitng sick of this system crashing, but this is too much. It claims
"this version of Windows is not genuine" - when it IS.
What do I do now? I'm guessing files have been corrupted, but how do I
repair??

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You can activate Vista by performing the following:

1. Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box type in: slui.exe 4
2. Press the Enter key on your keyboard.
3. Select your Country.
4. Follow the instructions for phone activation.
5. Once completed, restart your computer.
6. Then visit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/ and click "Validate Windows"
and restart your computer.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------

:

Vista 32bit Home Prem, Core2Duo's at 2.13Ghz, 2Gb memory, GeForce 7600GT
card.
After increasingly unstable performance - 5+Bluescreen crashes a day - I
attempted to update drivers for my video card, following general Vista
updates. Updated driver installed, but Windows could not load it. I rolled
back the driver, yet it had no effect.
Upon restart (following multiple failures of Windows Explorer), a
blackscreen diskcheck came up - checking disk for 'consistency'. After the
check, a screen telling me Windows Activation has expired, offered me
multiple choices to proceed.
I have already successfully activated my genuine Windows program.
Upon re-entering the Product ID, I was greeted with "Error code: 0x004F050
- soft liscense reported that the product key is invalid".

I'm getitng sick of this system crashing, but this is too much. It claims
"this version of Windows is not genuine" - when it IS.
What do I do now? I'm guessing files have been corrupted, but how do I
repair??

 

[Spanishcat]

I can only get into the system via safe-mode without network support (on
exe 4 it simply states "Restart in normal mode to activate Windows").
"Activation has expired - Windows is no longer working" is what comes up when
I try a normal launch. I'm having to restart each time I want to switch
between my working browser, and safe-mode access.
I ran system file-scan and it verified 98%; it found corrupt files but was
"unable to fix them".

Would a basic sys-restore get me around this problem? And I've yet to try
repairing Windows via the installation disk. Is the problem caused by a
corrupt registry? I just want to try everything I can before taking it in for
paid-repair.

 

[Larry]

You have a broken OS buddy. You are going to have to format and reinstall
vista. No way around this unless you favor always working in safe mode. My
guess is that it may be a pirated crap version. So reinstall

 

[Alias]

My guess is that it may be a pirated crap version.

What makes you think that?

Alias

 

[Spanishcat]

I bought both the rig and the software from a reliable, local indie; the
person I've personally dealt with has given good support for other (ISP)
problems.
I have the product ID, product code, and a confirmation code from the
initial telephone (because of no broadband service) activation. I really
don't think it's a knocked off copy. It's been working fine (bar some BSOD's)
since activation. Plus, I've used two official hotfix downloads which require
automated 'genuine' verification. If it passed all those barriers, then how
on earth could it be "not genuine" - as it's NOW telling me.

On the "Help BSOD!" post, some replies have mentioned re-seating
components, and generally checking all hardlinks inside the tower. I'm fine
with making sure things are fitted snugly, but beyond that I'm a complete
PC/DIY ingenue.
As mentioned previously, I ran mem diagnostic, and it came up with
"hardware faults". Didn't tell me where or why, tho. System file-scan
reported "corrupted" files (2%), but could not repair. Even I'm guessing
hardware issues... plus some software corruption for good measure.
Plus I don't like the idea of formatting and reinstalling. Not just yet.

 

[Alias]

I bought both the rig and the software from a reliable, local indie; the
person I've personally dealt with has given good support for other (ISP)
problems.
I have the product ID, product code, and a confirmation code from the
initial telephone (because of no broadband service) activation. I really
don't think it's a knocked off copy. It's been working fine (bar some BSOD's)
since activation. Plus, I've used two official hotfix downloads which require
automated 'genuine' verification. If it passed all those barriers, then how
on earth could it be "not genuine" - as it's NOW telling me.

On the "Help BSOD!" post, some replies have mentioned re-seating
components, and generally checking all hardlinks inside the tower. I'm fine
with making sure things are fitted snugly, but beyond that I'm a complete
PC/DIY ingenue.
As mentioned previously, I ran mem diagnostic, and it came up with
"hardware faults". Didn't tell me where or why, tho. System file-scan
reported "corrupted" files (2%), but could not repair. Even I'm guessing
hardware issues... plus some software corruption for good measure.
Plus I don't like the idea of formatting and reinstalling. Not just yet.

Here's where the activation crap can really lead someone to pulling out
their hair.

Spanishcat, check out Ubuntu at www.ubuntu.com and get and run the Live
CD and see if it runs OK on the machine (without installing Ubuntu, just
the CD). If it does, then you know it's Windows and not the hardware.

Alias

 

[MICHAEL]

I can only get into the system via safe-mode without network support (on
exe 4 it simply states "Restart in normal mode to activate Windows").
"Activation has expired - Windows is no longer working" is what comes up when
I try a normal launch. I'm having to restart each time I want to switch
between my working browser, and safe-mode access.
I ran system file-scan and it verified 98%; it found corrupt files but was
"unable to fix them".

Would a basic sys-restore get me around this problem? And I've yet to try
repairing Windows via the installation disk. Is the problem caused by a
corrupt registry? I just want to try everything I can before taking it in for
paid-repair.

After following the instructions at the link below,
go through the steps Carey Frisch left in his post.

http://content.zdnet.com/2346-12554_22-56073-1.html

Restoring Vista functionality once in reduced functionality mode


-Michael

 

[Spanishcat]

(boy this is a latenight headache causer... )
Michael; I followed it letter for letter, but:
Windows Script Host
Script: c\windows... (the command)
Line: 303
Char: 9
Error: 0xC004E017
Code: (as above minus 0x)
Source: none
As for the Ubuntu option; I kinda need a quick-ish resolution or ID of the
cause. I simply can't afford to wait for a disk to be sent out, and the idea
of putting another 700+megs worth of data on this system doesn't seem like a
good idea.
Methinks maybe 'take back to shop' is looking like being the only option.
But what effect will a Windows repair attempt have? Will it reset or fix the
registry if its been corrupted? Then if it's a memory problem, I'm guessing
it'll just be a matter of time before the demons set in again.

(i'm attempting to finish a workbook+folio for an evening class, and i may
have less time that i'd previously taken for granted. i can afford to lose
maybe four or so days, but any longer and i'm sunk. A lot of photos need to
go through this pc... )

 

[MICHAEL]

Type "cmd" into Start Menu's Search bar.

Right-click the result and select "Run as administrator".

Type or copy/paste- slmgr -rearm

Reboot.

Go through the activation process again.


-Michael

 

[MICHAEL]

Type "cmd" into Start Menu's Search bar.

Right-click the result and select "Run as administrator".

Type or copy/paste- slmgr -rearm

Press enter.

 

[Spanishcat]

Win. ScriptHost
Script: (command)
Line: 291
Char: 5
Error: permission denied
Code: 800A0046
Source: MS VBScript runtime error

No luck.. and it was ran as admin.
I'll try a repair from the original disk, then have it collected. Maybe a
ram stick needs replacing? Whatever the case, it doesn't seem I have a chance
of getting it back on stream and solving the idiotic Activation
glitch/corruption.
Thanks.