Windows Vista on Vaio suddenly decided it was invalid

[Guest]

This morning, my Sony Vaio, which I had left riunning all night had a message
on the screen saying "The product key you typed was invalid" It then gave me
three choices.
Use it with reduced functionality (I can browse the web)
Buy a new product key (this just takes me to a web page with a U.S. phone
number, which is really helpful, as I am in Australia
Contact Sony Corporation for help.

This is a genuine Vaio, bought from a Sony retailer three months ago with
pre-installed OEM Vista Business. I have been using it solid for the last
three months, and have never typed in a product key.

I called Sony support, who told me that this is a known problem with Vista,
and that I had to call Microsoft.

I called Microsoft support who told me that there is no such problem, and
that if my Vaio doesn't have a "genuine windows" sticker with a product key
on it (it doesn't) then I have an illegal couterfeit copy and should take it
back to the shop. From that point on they refused to help any further.

I borrowed a computer from my client today to get some work done, and when I
got back to my office this evening, I called Sony back. Yes, there is a known
problem that Microsoft are meant to help me with, and they gave me the
reference to the KB article: 931573, and told me to install the fix.

So I went to the article and tried to install the fix, but half way through
installing, I get a message to say I may be the victim of counterfeiting and
it takes me to a windows validation web page wghich is broken, and then pops
up a message to say that I am not allowed to install the fix on my system.

So, before I go back to the Sony shop tomorrow and dump it on their counter
and ask for something running a relatively sane operating system (2003, or
XP?), does anyone have any idea how to get out of this trap?

 

[Charlie Tame]

This morning, my Sony Vaio, which I had left riunning all night had a message
on the screen saying "The product key you typed was invalid" It then gave me
three choices.
Use it with reduced functionality (I can browse the web)
Buy a new product key (this just takes me to a web page with a U.S. phone
number, which is really helpful, as I am in Australia
Contact Sony Corporation for help.

This is a genuine Vaio, bought from a Sony retailer three months ago with
pre-installed OEM Vista Business. I have been using it solid for the last
three months, and have never typed in a product key.

I called Sony support, who told me that this is a known problem with Vista,
and that I had to call Microsoft.

I called Microsoft support who told me that there is no such problem, and
that if my Vaio doesn't have a "genuine windows" sticker with a product key
on it (it doesn't) then I have an illegal couterfeit copy and should take it
back to the shop. From that point on they refused to help any further.

I borrowed a computer from my client today to get some work done, and when I
got back to my office this evening, I called Sony back. Yes, there is a known
problem that Microsoft are meant to help me with, and they gave me the
reference to the KB article: 931573, and told me to install the fix.

So I went to the article and tried to install the fix, but half way through
installing, I get a message to say I may be the victim of counterfeiting and
it takes me to a windows validation web page wghich is broken, and then pops
up a message to say that I am not allowed to install the fix on my system.

So, before I go back to the Sony shop tomorrow and dump it on their counter
and ask for something running a relatively sane operating system (2003, or
XP?), does anyone have any idea how to get out of this trap?

Coming to an XP near you soon, probably.

Unless / until Microsoft cease this insanity the only reasonable
suggestions anyone can make are install Windows 2000, change to Linux /
Solaris / Mac. I only suggest W2000 because I don't think MS will bother
going that far back in their efforts to cripple their operating systems
and legitimate customers' businesses.

This is NOT your fault at all but it has become your problem, and both
Sony and Microsoft need to be punished severely for misrepresentation
IMHO. They have after all sold goods which by design are defective.

I apologize for the fact that this does not appear very helpful, but
since being denied access in a similar manner to 3 of my machines I have
switched everything here and at work to Ubuntu Linux, I expect to have
to live with my mistakes but not with theirs

 

[Guest]

Yeah, I must admit I held back from saying I would switch to linux - I tried
that once before and found I was spending more time "learning linux" than
doing any useful work. Much the same as I am finding Vista far too time
consuming.
Unfortunately, Sony tell me they only have drivers available for Vista for
this Vaio, so if I did upgrade it to XP or 2003, I would lose a lot of the
functionality.

I have tried Vista on trwo other PCs, and in both cases gave up and went
back to better operating systems due to the constant problems. Vista might be
alright when (if?) it ever gets finished, but even then, I think the constant
nanny "Did you do that?" prompts would drive me insane..

 

[NT Canuck]

Unless / until Microsoft cease this insanity the only reasonable
suggestions anyone can make are install Windows 2000, change to Linux /
Solaris / Mac. I only suggest W2000 because I don't think MS will bother
going that far back in their efforts to cripple their operating systems
and legitimate customers' businesses.

Windows 2000 isn't so bad, in fact it has a better
network stack than in xp (unless repaired in sp3),
the vista network stack is fine but that may only
apply to Vista Ultimate from reports I've heard.

You didn't happen to see an email did you?
I've not seen a reply/acknowledgement.

Thanks Charlie,

NT Canuck
'Seek and ye shall find'

 

[HeyBub]

This morning, my Sony Vaio, which I had left riunning all night had a
message on the screen saying "The product key you typed was invalid"
It then gave me three choices.
Use it with reduced functionality (I can browse the web)
Buy a new product key (this just takes me to a web page with a U.S.
phone number, which is really helpful, as I am in Australia
Contact Sony Corporation for help.

This is a genuine Vaio, bought from a Sony retailer three months ago
with pre-installed OEM Vista Business. I have been using it solid for
the last three months, and have never typed in a product key.

I called Sony support, who told me that this is a known problem with
Vista, and that I had to call Microsoft.

I called Microsoft support who told me that there is no such problem,
and that if my Vaio doesn't have a "genuine windows" sticker with a
product key on it (it doesn't) then I have an illegal couterfeit copy
and should take it back to the shop. From that point on they refused
to help any further.

I borrowed a computer from my client today to get some work done, and
when I got back to my office this evening, I called Sony back. Yes,
there is a known problem that Microsoft are meant to help me with,
and they gave me the reference to the KB article: 931573, and told me
to install the fix.

So I went to the article and tried to install the fix, but half way
through installing, I get a message to say I may be the victim of
counterfeiting and it takes me to a windows validation web page
wghich is broken, and then pops up a message to say that I am not
allowed to install the fix on my system.

So, before I go back to the Sony shop tomorrow and dump it on their
counter and ask for something running a relatively sane operating
system (2003, or XP?), does anyone have any idea how to get out of
this trap?

The "Sony" shop is the culprit. You bought nothing from Microsoft; don't let
the shop turf you to Microsoft.

The big clue is the absence of the OEM sticker on the machine - Microsoft
requires OEM producers to provide such a sticker on legal OEM installations
of MS software. No sticker usually means pirated software.

Take the machine back and fuss like the third monkey on Noah's gangplank.

 

[MICHAEL]

* NT Canuck:

Windows 2000 isn't so bad, in fact it has a better
network stack than in xp (unless repaired in sp3),
the vista network stack is fine but that may only
apply to Vista Ultimate from reports I've heard.

You didn't happen to see an email did you?
I've not seen a reply/acknowledgement.

Thanks Charlie,

NT Canuck
'Seek and ye shall find'

It's good to see you around these parts, NT.
Have you tested TreeWalk on Vista, yet? I keep
meaning to, and meant to ask Obiwan in the
Securecomp newsgroup. Any new updates coming
up soon?

Take care,

Michael

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

This morning, my Sony Vaio, which I had left riunning all night had a
message
on the screen saying "The product key you typed was invalid" It then gave
me
three choices.
Use it with reduced functionality (I can browse the web)
Buy a new product key (this just takes me to a web page with a U.S. phone
number, which is really helpful, as I am in Australia
Contact Sony Corporation for help.

This is a genuine Vaio, bought from a Sony retailer three months ago with
pre-installed OEM Vista Business. I have been using it solid for the last
three months, and have never typed in a product key.

I called Sony support, who told me that this is a known problem with
Vista,
and that I had to call Microsoft.

I called Microsoft support who told me that there is no such problem, and
that if my Vaio doesn't have a "genuine windows" sticker with a product
key
on it (it doesn't) then I have an illegal couterfeit copy and should take
it
back to the shop. From that point on they refused to help any further.

I borrowed a computer from my client today to get some work done, and when
I
got back to my office this evening, I called Sony back. Yes, there is a
known
problem that Microsoft are meant to help me with, and they gave me the
reference to the KB article: 931573, and told me to install the fix.

So I went to the article and tried to install the fix, but half way
through
installing, I get a message to say I may be the victim of counterfeiting
and
it takes me to a windows validation web page wghich is broken, and then
pops
up a message to say that I am not allowed to install the fix on my system.

So, before I go back to the Sony shop tomorrow and dump it on their
counter
and ask for something running a relatively sane operating system (2003, or
XP?), does anyone have any idea how to get out of this trap?

Somebody told me about something similar happening with his HP/Compaq, and
there was a lady who had this happen with her ThinkPad in this very channel
just a few days ago, so I doubt it is Sony's fault.

ss.

 

[Juan I. Cahis]

Dear friends, does somebody know if patch 931573 automatically
installs during the automatic update process, or should be installed
manually to prevent this problem?

This morning, my Sony Vaio, which I had left riunning all night had a message
on the screen saying "The product key you typed was invalid" It then gave me
three choices.
Use it with reduced functionality (I can browse the web)
Buy a new product key (this just takes me to a web page with a U.S. phone
number, which is really helpful, as I am in Australia
Contact Sony Corporation for help.

This is a genuine Vaio, bought from a Sony retailer three months ago with
pre-installed OEM Vista Business. I have been using it solid for the last
three months, and have never typed in a product key.

I called Sony support, who told me that this is a known problem with Vista,
and that I had to call Microsoft.

I called Microsoft support who told me that there is no such problem, and
that if my Vaio doesn't have a "genuine windows" sticker with a product key
on it (it doesn't) then I have an illegal couterfeit copy and should take it
back to the shop. From that point on they refused to help any further.

I borrowed a computer from my client today to get some work done, and when I
got back to my office this evening, I called Sony back. Yes, there is a known
problem that Microsoft are meant to help me with, and they gave me the
reference to the KB article: 931573, and told me to install the fix.

So I went to the article and tried to install the fix, but half way through
installing, I get a message to say I may be the victim of counterfeitingand
it takes me to a windows validation web page wghich is broken, and then pops
up a message to say that I am not allowed to install the fix on my system.

So, before I go back to the Sony shop tomorrow and dump it on their counter
and ask for something running a relatively sane operating system (2003, or
XP?), does anyone have any idea how to get out of this trap?

Thanks
Juan I. Cahis
Santiago de Chile (South America)
Note: Please forgive me for my bad English, I am trying to improve it!

 

[Charlie Tame]

Windows 2000 isn't so bad, in fact it has a better
network stack than in xp (unless repaired in sp3),
the vista network stack is fine but that may only
apply to Vista Ultimate from reports I've heard.

You didn't happen to see an email did you?
I've not seen a reply/acknowledgement.

Thanks Charlie,

NT Canuck
'Seek and ye shall find'

Ah, loadsa spam on this address, will double check.

 

[Guest]

You're a real help, mate.

YES I DID BUY SOMETHING FROM MICROSOFT
Against my better judgement, I bought a laptop with Vista pre-installed.

Part of the cost of the laptop was the Vista license.

The problem has been caused, as far as I can tell, by an update from
Microsoft coupled with Microsoft's over-ambitious attempts to stop
couterfeiting.
The scored a Blue on Blue this time - something Americans are real good at.

 

[Guest]

No, the patch doesn't automatically get installed - I didn't have it.

You have to *know* in advance that this problem is going to occur and
install the patch.

If the problem occurs, too late - the patch won't install.

The latest answer from Sony is to perform a "System Recovery", i.e. reformat
the disk, re-install Vista, then install the patch.

 

[NT Canuck]

* NT Canuck:

It's good to see you around these parts, NT.

Good to see you also Michael.

Have you tested TreeWalk on Vista, yet?

I put some findings in .t.dns using the
last version I would vouch for, and with
a few edits for pathways in /bin since
Vista handles shortcut links differently.
It might be good for you to copy that posting
as the method used to correct links (tw) will
apply to all our past editions.

Works fine but the tw on site is not commercial
setup, I have nothing to do with anything there.

I keep
meaning to, and meant to ask Obiwan in the
Securecomp newsgroup. Any new updates coming
up soon?

I parlay with him occasionally but if I do
anything it will be in legacy editions where
I have some interest, otherwise you know more
than I do at this point.

There are several other projects gathering
dust which are far more interesting to proto'.

Take care,

Michael

NT Canuck
'Seek and ye shall find'

 

[Guest]

FWIW,

The restore process finally finished, I logged in, and decided the first
thing I was going to do was install the patch before it all goes wrong again.
And hey, the patch still won't install because it "does not apply to your
system"

So that's it, I don't trust it anymore, it has cost me a day's work (I don't
see Microsoft offering me *their* credit card details)
So it is back to the shop, and no doubt a visit to Consumer Affairs..

 

[Guest]

Well so far reading through all of the posts I haven't seen anyone suggest
anything that could actually solve the problem you are having so I guess that
I will have to be the one who tells you what to do. Sony is correct in
telling you about the system recovery option and if you know how to do it
then you should, however if you don't know how to start it or where the
hidden partition is to get it to boot then it won't help you and no you don't
need to repartition the hard drive to do this either. If you don't know how
to use system recovery then this is what you do. First thing you do is back
up all of your personal files and anything that you want to keep that is not
a windows component. Do this on anothor partition, another drive, a flash
drive memory card or whatever suits your fancy, but do it. Next make sure
that you have your pkey, write it down and do not lose it. Next you will need
to re-install vista this will be a clean install so you will lose everything
that's why you backup your important things first, insert the upgrade disk or
what ever disk you may have that came with the computer and reboot your
computer, choose the drive you want to install to and do a clean install,
make sure you choose the version of vista that came preinstalled(even if you
upgraded to another version later on) or this will be all for nothing. When
it gets to the part where it asks you for the pkey type in your pkey or if
you don't know it then you will need to get it, but for now just say you will
enter it later and go on with the installation. After you are finished
installing vista you will have 30 days to enter your pkey, immediately go to
the website and get that fix, this will eliminate the part where they won't
let you download it because 'you may be a victim of counterfiting' and let
you install the patch after that don't forget to enter the pkey if you didn't
already and then "activate" windows. This should solve the problem and I know
it sounds like alot, but it is probably the best thing you can do right now
given your situation.

 

[Guest]

Hi Kathryn

Thank you for taking the trouble to write such a detailed explanation.

As it happens, yes, I did know how to run the recovery - I probably made it
sound like I didn't by saying that entailed formatting the disk - what I
meant was that the recovery process itself erases the partition.
So, I restored Vista, and all of the Sony apps. Only took 3 hours to complete.

Then tried to apply the patch. Except that I can't. I get a message "This
patch does not apply to your system". So I am still vulnerable to this
happening again.

And no, I do not have a pkey to enter! The OEM pre-installed version of
Vista on my machine does not have a pkey. This is where the trouble all
started.

I then took it back to the shop and banged the table. They have promised me
that they will have a fix for me. As I am really quite a good natured,
patient kind of guy, I have told them to go ahead. However, my pateience will
reach its limit, and if I have to go through all this again before they find
a fix, then I will be demanding a replacement.

And guess what? I seem to have bought the only Sony Vaio on the market that
doesn't offer an upgrade to Windows XP!

 

[Juan I. Cahis]

Incredible!!!

To prevent to have the problem in the future, I downloaded the patch,
and when I tried to install it, it said that it is not for my system
and refused to install it!!!!

What can we do??????

No, the patch doesn't automatically get installed - I didn't have it.

You have to *know* in advance that this problem is going to occur and
install the patch.

If the problem occurs, too late - the patch won't install.

The latest answer from Sony is to perform a "System Recovery", i.e. reformat
the disk, re-install Vista, then install the patch.

Thanks
Juan I. Cahis
Santiago de Chile (South America)
Note: Please forgive me for my bad English, I am trying to improve it!

 

[Guest]

Yeah, I really hope someone from MS is reading this and can do something
about it,

but I doubt it.

My impression is of a faceless giant totally out of control with its own
power.

 

[Charlie Tame]

"We" can probably do nothing except hope that someone with Sony's
business leverage gets sick of it, however they seem to be in bed
together with regard to DRM and piracy issues and most likely will
expect users to pay for the "Fix".

 

[Guest]

One other problem with Kathryn's instructions (sorry Kathryn, but for the
benefit of anyone else in this situation, I have to point it out).

Once this problem occurs, you have *no* access to your desktop to peform a
backup. I always take regular backups as a matter of course, but to ensure
that I had the very latest data backed up I was able to connect an
administrative share to my Vaio (to C$), and copy everything I needed off to
anothe rcomputer. For anyone without the benefit of a network, then they are
stuffed.

So - anyone using OEM Vista - make sure you are fanatical about your backups.

As it is, I forgot to copy my IE Favourites, and I am having to
painstakingly go back through all my iTunes selecting the tracks that will
fit on my iPod before I can synchronise it again. So far, this has wasted 2-3
days of my time, and counting..

 

[dennis@home]

"We" can probably do nothing except hope that someone with Sony's business
leverage gets sick of it, however they seem to be in bed together with
regard to DRM and piracy issues and most likely will expect users to pay
for the "Fix".

Its companies like Sony that insist on DRM to "protect" their content.
As DRM seldom stops the mass pirate-rs what Sony means is control where the
purchaser can use the content so they can charge more for it on different
media, etc. Exactly the same reason as region codes were created for DVDs.
You have no hope of a company like Sony wanting to get rid of DRM.