Tech Support Forum - View Single Post - Asks For Product Key Three Months After-The-Fact

allenm541 · 12-05-2007, 10:23 PM

Thank you for having this site!

Operating System:
Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit

Hardware:
Microstar MS-7327 Micro-ATX motherboard
AMD 3Ghz Dual Core 6000+ processor
2GB Patriot 800Mhz memory
Western Digital Raptor 10,000RPM 150GB system hard drive
Maxtor 500GB external hard drive (USB)
Lexmark X8350 printer/scanner/fax (USB)
Nvidia Geforce 7600GT PCI-E x16 Card
RME Multiface II Audio Interface PCI card
Network Adapter PCI Card
USB Expansion PCI-E x1 Card
DVD R/RW disc drive
iLok Software Protection Device (USB)
Syncrosoft Software Protection Device (USB)
Sceptre 22" view screen
Microsoft Wireless Lazer Mouse (USB)
Alienware keyboard (USB)

Okay, this is what happened to me. I've been running my Windows Vista happily for about 3 months now. I bought the computer used, so I don't have the original case to the Vista installation.

This is the message I am getting after boot-up which prohibits me from logging in:

"The Windows Vista Ultimate product key you typed is invalid for activation"

Then it gives me three options:
1) Access you computer with reduced functionally
2) Type a different product key
3) Contact Dell to help resolve this problem

The reduced functionally allows me to access the web only.

Now, the third option is very puzzling, as none of my computer components are made from Dell, as far as I know.

No changes were made by me to my hardware or software prior to my receiving this message after boot up.

I am not sure if my copy of Vista is genuine or not because I bought this computer used from a guy who builds computers (and perhaps he hacked a copy, I have no real way of knowing). However, if it is not genuine, why didn't I receive this message and prohibition earlier?

Sadly, I no longer have that person's contact info who I bought this computer from, or I would call him and ask him about it.

I visited Microsoft's microsoft.com/genuine to determine if my copy of Vista really is genuine or not. However, because of the limited functionally of my computer at the moment, ActiveX control doesn't seem to be working in my Firefox web browser (impossible to troubleshoot since I have no control over my computer at the moment beyond browsing the web). I have a plug-in in Firefox that lets me open an Internet Explorer tab; however, even in IE7, ActiveX still doesn't work.

I called Microsoft's technical support, but to no avail:

Lady from India: "What is the serial number"
Me: "I bought the computer used, I don't have the serial number"

Lady from India: "What is the serial number"
ME: "I don't have the serial number"

Lady from India: "Allen, did you hear me, what is your serial number?"
ME: "Did you hear me? I don't have the serial number, I bought the computer used."

Lady from India: "What is your serial number"
ME: "I DON'T HAVE THE SERIAL NUMBER"

Lady from India: "But you just said..." Click... the phone disconnected...

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, I'm all ears. If my copy of Vista really is fake, I'll buy a new. However, I'm confused as to why this is just happening "all of the sudden," after 3 months without a hiccup?

Perhaps one of Microsoft's automatic updates screwed me over...

12-05-2007, 10:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
allenm541 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate	Asks For Product Key Three Months After-The-Fact Thank you for having this site! Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit Hardware: Microstar MS-7327 Micro-ATX motherboard AMD 3Ghz Dual Core 6000+ processor 2GB Patriot 800Mhz memory Western Digital Raptor 10,000RPM 150GB system hard drive Maxtor 500GB external hard drive (USB) Lexmark X8350 printer/scanner/fax (USB) Nvidia Geforce 7600GT PCI-E x16 Card RME Multiface II Audio Interface PCI card Network Adapter PCI Card USB Expansion PCI-E x1 Card DVD R/RW disc drive iLok Software Protection Device (USB) Syncrosoft Software Protection Device (USB) Sceptre 22" view screen Microsoft Wireless Lazer Mouse (USB) Alienware keyboard (USB) Okay, this is what happened to me. I've been running my Windows Vista happily for about 3 months* now.* I bought the computer used, so I don't have the original case to the Vista installation. This is the message I am getting after boot-up which prohibits me from logging in: "The Windows Vista Ultimate product key you typed is invalid for activation" Then it gives me three options: 1) Access you computer with reduced functionally 2) Type a different product key 3) Contact Dell to help resolve this problem *The reduced functionally allows me to access the web only.* Now, the third option is very puzzling, as none of my computer components are made from Dell, as far as I know. No changes were made by me to my hardware or software prior to my receiving this message after boot up. I am not sure if my copy of Vista is genuine or not because I bought this computer used from a guy who builds computers (and perhaps he hacked a copy, I have no real way of knowing). However, if it is not genuine, why didn't I receive this message and prohibition earlier? Sadly, I no longer have that person's contact info who I bought this computer from, or I would call him and ask him about it. I visited Microsoft's microsoft.com/genuine to determine if my copy of Vista really is genuine or not. However, because of the limited functionally of my computer at the moment, ActiveX control doesn't seem to be working in my Firefox web browser (impossible to troubleshoot since I have no control over my computer at the moment beyond browsing the web). I have a plug-in in Firefox that lets me open an Internet Explorer tab; however, even in IE7, ActiveX still doesn't work. I called Microsoft's technical support, but to no avail: Lady from India: "What is the serial number" Me: "I bought the computer used, I don't have the serial number" Lady from India: "What is the serial number" ME: "I don't have the serial number" Lady from India: "Allen, did you hear me, what is your serial number?" ME: "Did you hear me? I don't have the serial number, I bought the computer used." Lady from India: "What is your serial number" ME: "I DON'T HAVE THE SERIAL NUMBER" Lady from India: "But you just said..." Click... the phone disconnected... If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, I'm all ears. If my copy of Vista really is fake, I'll buy a new. However, I'm confused as to why this is just happening "all of the sudden," after 3 months without a hiccup? Perhaps one of Microsoft's automatic updates screwed me over... Last edited by allenm541; 12-05-2007 at 10:28 PM.