Genuine Windows/Windows Actvitation Problem

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
10,940
1,618
126

I ran Windows Update 2 days ago and got the message stating it needed to verify if I was running a genuine copy of winows. So I download the active X deal. It runs and tells me that my copy of windows is not activated (which is not true since it was activated over 3 weeks ago). When I check my system properties, it confirms that my copy of windows has been activated.

I have an email into Microsoft support about this...anyone else experience anything like this?

Windows Aero has been deactivated because of this...
 

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
10,940
1,618
126
didn't know that microsoft has their own forum to deal with activation problems (separate ones for XP, Vista and Office)...

Here

seems like there are a bunch of people who get these Windows is not Geniuine or other validation problems with Vista...

Just hope I don't have to do another reinstall...
 

hasu

Senior member
Apr 5, 2001
993
10
81
Good information. I was thinking of getting Vista Business for my next machine (which is at least a few months away, anyways). May be I should wait till Microsoft start shipping genuine windows!
 

Smilin

Diamond Member
Mar 4, 2002
7,357
0
0
Just as an FYI, opening a support case with MS is the right path here. MS is *very* sensitive to any problems with activation. They want to prevent casual piracy, not cause grief for valued customers. The support case will be free and the people helping you can either quickly solve it or quickly escalate to those who can.
 

InlineFive

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2003
9,599
2
0
Originally posted by: Smilin
Just as an FYI, opening a support case with MS is the right path here. MS is *very* sensitive to any problems with activation. They want to prevent casual piracy, not cause grief for valued customers. The support case will be free and the people helping you can either quickly solve it or quickly escalate to those who can.

Ditto, Microsoft is very good about free support for activation/licensing and WU/MU issues.
 

mylok

Senior member
Nov 1, 2004
265
0
0
i had the same problem trying to download the mobile device software. It said Vista was not activated (but it was). the solution was to activate Vista over the phone, after i did that I was able to verify my version was genuine and then it let me download the software.

It was simple to do but I cant remember the command used. i had to type a command into the run dialog box which caused the activate windows window to open.
 

Robor

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
16,979
0
76
Originally posted by: mylok
i had the same problem trying to download the mobile device software. It said Vista was not activated (but it was). the solution was to activate Vista over the phone, after i did that I was able to verify my version was genuine and then it let me download the software.

It was simple to do but I cant remember the command used. i had to type a command into the run dialog box which caused the activate windows window to open.

If it's the same as in WinXP it's: 'C:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a' (assuming your Windows is on the 'C' drive)
 

herbiehancock

Senior member
May 11, 2006
789
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You can get started with phone activation by typing "slui.exe 4" in the search field in the Start Menu and pressing Enter.
 

Puffnstuff

Lifer
Mar 9, 2005
16,187
4,871
136
My retail ultimate deactivated itself for the 3rd time this morning after installing the latest update. I was able to boot off the dvd and use system restore plus I unplugged the network cable and was able to reboot into a genuine activated copy of windows. I've turned off auto update to prevent updates from auto installing themselves in the future.
 

Robor

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
16,979
0
76
Originally posted by: herbiehancock
You can get started with phone activation by typing "slui.exe 4" in the search field in the Start Menu and pressing Enter.

Is that the same as running 'msoobe.exe /a' in WinXP?