Missing Product Key

[Guest]

I recently purchased a toshiba notebook which came with a CD for Windows
Anytime Upgrade for Windows Vista 32 bit. I decided to run the disk and
before the installation was just about done, I was prompted to enter a valid
product key. After unsucessfully looking for quite some time through the
booklet in which the cd came in for the product key (as was recommended by
the prompt), I decided to check the underside of my laptop. I found a 25
digit product key and entered that in to be validated. Unfortunately, that
was not the correct product key number. I was then given the option to
validate Vista over the telephone, access my computer with limited functions,
or type in a different product key. I have repeatedly tried to enter any
code but none of them seem to work. Please tell me, do I need to purchase a
product key online or am I looking in the wrong areas/lost the slip that
contains my product key. I would appreciate any help! Thanks!

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

If you had read the instructions closely, you would have learned
that you would need to purchase a new product key for the version
of Windows Vista you upgraded to. Please read the following:

Windows Anytime Upgrade: Overview:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pr...orupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/overview.mspx

Windows Anytime Upgrade: frequently asked questions
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/37070041-1b90-4433-be0c-ab2855841b981033.mspx


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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

:

I recently purchased a toshiba notebook which came with a CD for Windows
Anytime Upgrade for Windows Vista 32 bit. I decided to run the disk and
before the installation was just about done, I was prompted to enter a valid
product key. After unsucessfully looking for quite some time through the
booklet in which the cd came in for the product key (as was recommended by
the prompt), I decided to check the underside of my laptop. I found a 25
digit product key and entered that in to be validated. Unfortunately, that
was not the correct product key number. I was then given the option to
validate Vista over the telephone, access my computer with limited
functions,
or type in a different product key. I have repeatedly tried to enter any
code but none of them seem to work. Please tell me, do I need to purchase a
product key online or am I looking in the wrong areas/lost the slip that
contains my product key. I would appreciate any help! Thanks!

 

[Mark]

Did you perform a Windows Anytime Upgrade, or is the disk simply labeled
with the words "Includes Window Anytime Upgrade."

If you performed an install, the Product Key Question is the second prompt
after you select a language. (Not at the end.)
Did you attempt to install the same product the product key is licensed for?
(You can't install Ultimate with a Home Basic key.)
Limited functionality is a process based on continuing to use Windows beyond
the required activation time limit without activating Windows.
If you performed a Windows Anytime Upgrade, you are NEVER asked for the
product key because it is part of the download license key used to make the
installation.
What happened with the phone activation?

Your story is a bit conflicting and confusing.
Your product, based on the write up is OEM and most likely should have been
activated by the vendor.
I recommend you contact the vendor where you purchased the notebook.


"Confusedaboutproductkeys"

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

The key on the sticker was for the installed OS (likely XP?). For Vista, a
key should have been in the accompanying upgrade documentation. If you've
lost this, contact Toshiba about a replacement.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Confusedaboutproductkeys"

 

[Guest]

The key on the belly of the laptop is for Windows Vista Home Premium. I have
been unable to contact Microsoft via phone since I am out of the country for
an extended period of time and have no reliable way to operate both the
laptop and phone. The CD case, which came in the Toshiba Satellite
A215-S4747 box, simply says 'Upgrade Your Windows Vista Experience' in the
center. In the bottom right, it says Windows Anytime Upgrade in smaller
font. I assumed that if this CD came with the laptop, I would not need to
spend another $150-$250 on a Product Key. I am awaiting responses from the
vendor (Office Depot) and Toshiba. Had I known that I would have to spend
additional money on this product key, I defintely would not have bothered to
run it on my computer. Are there any other options for me? Thanks for the
previous (and hopefully further) input.

 

[Mark]

This disk would allow you to re-install Vista Home Premium if you ever
needed to re-install. It is most likely your "Backup copy."

Should you decide to upgrade to Business or Ultimate, you would need to buy
an upgrade license and then you would use the same disk to perform the
upgrade by entering the purchased upgrade item when asked, or use Windows
Anytime Upgrade.

The limited functionality problem is probably a result of installing a
version you do not have a license for. You may need to re-install Vista Home
Premium and use the Product Key on the belly of your laptop to retore full
functionality. Then, activate.


"Confusedaboutproductkeys"

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Backup your important files, then read the User's Guide
that came with your PC to learn how to perform a
"Full System Recovery" in order to return to to the
Vista operating system that came preinstalled from the
factory.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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

:

The key on the belly of the laptop is for Windows Vista Home Premium. I
have
been unable to contact Microsoft via phone since I am out of the country for
an extended period of time and have no reliable way to operate both the
laptop and phone. The CD case, which came in the Toshiba Satellite
A215-S4747 box, simply says 'Upgrade Your Windows Vista Experience' in the
center. In the bottom right, it says Windows Anytime Upgrade in smaller
font. I assumed that if this CD came with the laptop, I would not need to
spend another $150-$250 on a Product Key. I am awaiting responses from the
vendor (Office Depot) and Toshiba. Had I known that I would have to spend
additional money on this product key, I defintely would not have bothered to
run it on my computer. Are there any other options for me? Thanks for the
previous (and hopefully further) input.

 

[Hertz_Donut]

"Confusedaboutproductkeys"

The key on the belly of the laptop is for Windows Vista Home Premium. I
have
been unable to contact Microsoft via phone since I am out of the country
for
an extended period of time and have no reliable way to operate both the
laptop and phone. The CD case, which came in the Toshiba Satellite
A215-S4747 box, simply says 'Upgrade Your Windows Vista Experience' in the
center. In the bottom right, it says Windows Anytime Upgrade in smaller
font. I assumed that if this CD came with the laptop, I would not need to
spend another $150-$250 on a Product Key. I am awaiting responses from
the
vendor (Office Depot) and Toshiba. Had I known that I would have to spend
additional money on this product key, I defintely would not have bothered
to
run it on my computer. Are there any other options for me? Thanks for
the
previous (and hopefully further) input.

What part of "upgrade" do you find confusing?

And, during the upgrade process, when it explained that you would have to
purchase and have available a
new product key for the version you were upgrading to, what part of that did
you not understand?

You paid for Windows Vista Home Premium. What makes you feel that you are
entitled to a free upgrade?

The response you will get from Office Max and from Toshiba is the same that
you are getting here...you are
expected to be able to understand that the upgrade is not free. You will not
win this battle. It is made
almost painfully evident that there is a fee involved, but somehow you
managed to ignore it.

Your options? If the original restore partition is undisturbed, you can
restore the computer to the state it was
when you purchased it. If the restore partition has been removed/over
written, then you can contact Toshiba
and purchase a restore CD set.

Honu

 

[Paul Randall]

"Confusedaboutproductkeys"

What part of "upgrade" do you find confusing?

What part of the CD labeling said the OP had to connect to the internet or
purchase anything? To me, "Anytime Upgrade" means upgrade any time,
anywhere, no strings or wires or radio waves attached. But maybe that was
just the big print and somewhere on the CD in near-invisible font are the
legalese weasel words that take away everything that the big words give :-(

-Paul Randall