Product Key

S

Stephen Russell

Hi All,

We are with MS's SA plan and have downloaded Vista from the eOpen link. In
our current license detail it had a license key for Vista (to be precise
Windows Vista - KMS). I was going to install Vista on my PC (in a dual-boot
scenario) as an initial install as we don't have plans to do a mass rollout
of Vista in the near future. However it kept on rejecting the
licence/product key that was on our eOpen site. After entering the key it
comes up with "Setup cannot validate your product key. Please review your
product key and ensure it has been entered correctly."

I did a bit of reading about KMS and, although it didn't rally make sense,
decided maybe the KMS server had to be on a clean install. So I have just
tried doing that! Same thing - rejects the product key. So I went back
into the eOpen site and it had a button to request "Multiple Activation
Keys". I'm adventurous so clicked the button and it generated a new key for
me. Beauty!!!, I thought. Nup - same result!!!

Anybody got any idea on what is going on or what I have to do to get
activated????

Many thanks,

Stephen

International Diabetes Institute
 
R

Rick Rogers

Hi,

The KMS key requires that you have your own activation server set up, so I
wouldn't expect that key to work without it.

The MAK key should be able to activate over the internet. When you go to do
this, instead of clicking 'activate now', instead use the option to enter a
new product key. Re-enter your MAK key, then click 'next' (not 'activate')
and see if this helps.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
S

Stephen Russell

Hi Rick,

Thanks for replying (and finding the post - it wasn't suppose to end up in
amongst other posts...)

I fired up the computer again this morning and exactly the same result as
previous. I will explain everything exactly as I see it as I didn't really
see a "Activate now" as you described.

This is a fresh install - booting to the DVD and onto a blank HDD. Firstly
the screen comes up asking for Language, keyboard layout, etc. Then I click
Next and it comes to the "Install Now" screen. I click Install Now. After
a short time it comes to the "Type your product key for activation" screen.
In there I have enetered the MAK key and tried it with the "Automatically
activate Windows when I'm online" box both ticked and unticked. Everytime
it comes back with "Setup cannot validate your product key.... " Are these
the screens I am suppose to be seeing?

Thanks again,

Stephen

Hi,

The KMS key requires that you have your own activation server set up, so I
wouldn't expect that key to work without it.

The MAK key should be able to activate over the internet. When you go to do
this, instead of clicking 'activate now', instead use the option to enter a
new product key. Re-enter your MAK key, then click 'next' (not 'activate')
and see if this helps.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
T

Tom Ziegmann

Hello Stephen,

Try installing without putting in the product key, and when you get the OS
up and running open System Properties and change the Product Key and try
activation again. Just be sure that you select the right edition that corresponds
to the key when you install the OS.

Tom Ziegmann
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft Core OS Beta Tester
 
S

Stephen Russell

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your suggestion, but it won't let me progress without a product
key being entered. The "Next" button is greyed out and unclickable...

Cheers,

Stephen

Hello Stephen,

Try installing without putting in the product key, and when you get the OS
up and running open System Properties and change the Product Key and try
activation again. Just be sure that you select the right edition that
corresponds
to the key when you install the OS.

Tom Ziegmann
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft Core OS Beta Tester
 
R

Rick Rogers

Hi,

Ok, that's a different problem. It indicates that either the Product Key is
being entered incorrectly (watch carefully for transpositions), or perhaps
there is a problem with the machine. This could be that BIOS AV is active
(it shouldn't be during installation), the memory is faulty, or possibly
that timing is not set correctly.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
S

Stephen Russell

Hi Rick,

I will check through all you have suggested (although I did make sure the
key was entered correctly - double, triple and quadruple checked...) on
previous attempts.

Stephen

Hi,

Ok, that's a different problem. It indicates that either the Product Key is
being entered incorrectly (watch carefully for transpositions), or perhaps
there is a problem with the machine. This could be that BIOS AV is active
(it shouldn't be during installation), the memory is faulty, or possibly
that timing is not set correctly.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
S

Stephen Russell

OOOOPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSS.............!!!!!!!!!

Seems the Vista I downloaded had an .img extension and the image I burnt on
to DVD needed a .iso extension. So the only Vista version Nero saw was one
with an iso extension and that happened to be the beta version I downloaded
a couple of months ago!!!!! Just burning the new version of Vista now. Yes
I am completely red and embarrassed and apologise for everbody's time that I
have taken up. I am walking away with my tail between my legs and have
given myself a decent slap on the wrist!!! Thanks to those who tried to
help someone who is logically challenged!!

Cheers,

Stephen

Hi Rick,

I will check through all you have suggested (although I did make sure the
key was entered correctly - double, triple and quadruple checked...) on
previous attempts.

Stephen

Hi,

Ok, that's a different problem. It indicates that either the Product Key is
being entered incorrectly (watch carefully for transpositions), or perhaps
there is a problem with the machine. This could be that BIOS AV is active
(it shouldn't be during installation), the memory is faulty, or possibly
that timing is not set correctly.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 

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