Can't Activate

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
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I installed Vista 32-bit on my new rig and tried using a key that was brand new, never used except on my laptop from which I immediately unloaded vista and went back to XP. It's Vista Enterprise and it's made available to me through my school but when I try and activate it keeps saying that I've used up the amount of installations for that key.

Then when I tried to contact M$ I found out that for Vista Enterprise support I have to pay out the nose before they will help me. Any recommendations on what to do?
 

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
Oct 9, 1999
31,516
167
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You're not doing something right or MS is screwing up. Activation is always free. Call the activation hotline again.

You're trying to install it on the same laptop as last time, correct?
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
I am confused, why or how is a school offering Vista enterprise? This version is specifically tailored for business and only offered to people who have a software assurance plan or volume license agreement.

I also believe this version requires activation via a local activation server every 160 days.
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
4,563
0
76
I have no idea what I'm doing wrong. I tried putting the CD-key that was given to me in but it didn't work, and no this isn't on the laptop but on my new desktop that I built.

My school (VT) offers it b/c I bought a software bundle when I was a freshmen and they've been updating as new software comes out. I have access to Vista Enterprise (32 only), XP Pro (32 & 64). I don't know anything about a software assurance plan or anything like that. I suspect they're used to dealing w/ avg computer users who buy laptops or desktops and never touch them.
 

Scotteq

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2008
5,276
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Rogue - At this point, I would go to your school and get clarification on the terms of your software licence and why you are running into the issue you're having.
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
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0
76
I would, but I'm in Kansas for the summer and that would be quite the hike. I can call but based on previous phone calls it feels like they're not quite "there"
 

Billb2

Diamond Member
Mar 25, 2005
3,035
70
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Just do the phone activation. Tell the nice lady that your HDD/motherboard/whatever died.
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
You bought a software package? Did you buy the laptop from the school as well? How did the software get installed on the laptop?
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
4,563
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The laptop was bought from dell (Precision M70). It came installed w/ XP Pro and all the basics. I have only used the Dell installation disk w/e i have formatted. Since I don't have any media for my software from school, i installed XP off of the dell disk onto the new PC and then upgraded it to vista using an .iso that I have from my school download page (courtesy of the VPN I set up).

I have a Vista Enterprise CD-Key to activate windows with, but every time I try it says that the # of activations have been exceeded. The only ever time I used it was to install Vista on the laptop, but then I had a hardware problem and went back to XP. it hasn't been used since.

Question 2: If i have an .iso of vista, can i open it using Daemon Tools and then burn that onto a DVD and do a clean install from the disc? I get the feeling that my initial installation of XP from the dell disc may have something to do w/ my current problem.

EDIT: The software in the package was Office, programs req. for major, and some OS.
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
Is this download page viewable from the web?
And I guess not understanding where you got the Vista Enterprise Key. In your last edit you mentioned all the programs in the software package and only mention "some" OS.

Enterprise key activation should be like any volume license. It works just fine but is on the owner of the key to manage the licenses.

I am still not understanding how or why a school is handing out volume license keys, especially if purchased. They should be retail keys. Or if sold with hardware OEM keys.

If you didnt get the key from the school but from another place you can admit it here. And it will help to explain why it doesnt work as well. And we can suggest you purchase a retail key with the disc.

Otherwise I'd call the school if you got the key from them ask what is going on. I dont believe Microsoft activation support will deal with volume license's. Only OEM or Retail.
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
4,563
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76
I know this is sounding sketch as hell, which is why you're asking me to let you know where I really got the key, but that's the truth. I'll walk you through it.

-Set up VPN w/ school
-Connect to DL site using username and unique passcode that I set up (through Opera/IE)
-Find the software that I need that has been licensed/allowable for me to DL (Office 03, Office 07, Mac Office 04, MS Project, MS Visio, etc.). The OS that I have available to me are: XP Pro 32/64, Vista Enterprise w/ SP1 (32 only), XP Tablet Edition. The only one that I have given out is Office 04 for Mac and that was for my sister who owns a Macbook and I didn't see a reason for her to buy it when I have it and won't ever use it.
-Checkmark 2 boxes saying I won't share.
-If the program requires a CD key a page pops up w/ the key prominently displayed w/ what program it is for.
-Then go to the actual dl page

W/o the VPN and the username/passcode you can't get in. I would think that VT bought enterprise so that they could license it out to students w/o having to buy large quantities of Ultimate (Just a guess). I'm at work so I don't have access to my PC and by the time I get home they won't be in the office (@ school) so the best I can do is copy down all the info and see if that helps.

I will be reformatting and installing 64-bit when I get back to VT to take advantage of the full 4gb of RAM. They don't make it available on teh DL site and they don't have media, only 1 disc that they lend out for 24hrs.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
11,586
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Here's a discussion of how the University of Chicago handles Vista Enterprise Activation on a Campus Agreement.

It says that if you are on the Univeristy of Chicago network (on-site or via VPN), then Vista Enterprise will Activate via the KMS (licensing) server.

It says that if you don't have a direct connection to the University network, you have to use a different version (non-Enterprise) of Vista.

Here's how Wayne State Univeristy handles Vista Enterprise Activation.

Wayne State uses both KMS and MAK Activation. MAK can be used off-network. If all the allocated Keys have been used, then you'll get a "Key limit exceeded" message.
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
4,563
0
76
ok...seems like i'm being a tard today...i used phone activation and had no problems. thank you all though for your help. Rebate, for your information it was a MAK code
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
11,586
0
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Just for your information, note that Vista Enterprise licenses, like ALL Microsoft Volume licenses, are sold by Microsoft as UPGRADE-ONLY licenses. Yeah, they'll work on a "new" PC. But you are supposed to dedicate a previous-version-OS license to the PC, too (like XP Home or Professional).