product key you typed is invalid for activation

Last night, all was well with my computer. Woke up this morning with a
black desktop (icons still intact) and a window stating: "The Windows Vista
Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation."

My choices are:
*Buy a new product key online
*Type a different product key
*Contact Dell to help resolve this problem

Dell has not been very helpful to me in the past so I hesitate to call them.
(My Dell came pre-installed with Vista. I installed SP1 a couple weeks ago
without incident.)

I made NO changes to my computer between last night and this morning.
Anyone??? Thanks.
Editor

Dell has very good live chat support, among other resources.
Your error is probably due to the SP1 update installing some new driver.
Before seeking other help I would do a little homework on the problem by
uninstalling SP1, and activating, to reinstall SP1.
--
Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
interface.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
Mark L. Ferguson
..

"Editor" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Last night, all was well with my computer. Woke up this morning with a
> black desktop (icons still intact) and a window stating: "The Windows
> Vista Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation."
>
> My choices are:
> *Buy a new product key online
> *Type a different product key
> *Contact Dell to help resolve this problem
>
> Dell has not been very helpful to me in the past so I hesitate to call
> them. (My Dell came pre-installed with Vista. I installed SP1 a couple
> weeks ago without incident.)
>
> I made NO changes to my computer between last night and this morning.
> Anyone??? Thanks.
> Editor

Thank you, Mark. I was a bit leery to uninstall SP1, activate and reinstall
SP1. I chatted online with someone from Dell. She told me to select "Type
a different product code" (see below), which I did, and then entered the
product code on my Dell. It *seems* to have worked. Time will tell.
Oooooooh, if only I had insisted on XP!!!
Editor

"Mark L. Ferguson" <> wrote in
message news:FA8E9164-7A2A-4588-9F6D-...
> Dell has very good live chat support, among other resources.
> Your error is probably due to the SP1 update installing some new driver.
> Before seeking other help I would do a little homework on the problem by
> uninstalling SP1, and activating, to reinstall SP1.
> --
> Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> interface.
> http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer
> Mark L. Ferguson
> .
>
> "Editor" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> Last night, all was well with my computer. Woke up this morning with a
>> black desktop (icons still intact) and a window stating: "The Windows
>> Vista Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation."
>>
>> My choices are:
>> *Buy a new product key online
>> *Type a different product key
>> *Contact Dell to help resolve this problem
>>
>> Dell has not been very helpful to me in the past so I hesitate to call
>> them. (My Dell came pre-installed with Vista. I installed SP1 a couple
>> weeks ago without incident.)
>>
>> I made NO changes to my computer between last night and this morning.
>> Anyone??? Thanks.
>> Editor
>

Editor;693234 Wrote:
> Thank you, Mark. I was a bit leery to uninstall SP1, activate and
> reinstall
> SP1. I chatted online with someone from Dell. She told me to select
> "Type
> a different product code" (see below), which I did, and then entered
> the
> product code on my Dell. It *seems* to have worked. Time will tell.
> Oooooooh, if only I had insisted on XP!!!
> Editor
>
> "Mark L. Ferguson" <MarkLFerguson@xxxxxx> wrote in
> message news:FA8E9164-7A2A-4588-9F6D-9CA6DA2E53A1@xxxxxx> > >
> > > Dell has very good live chat support, among other resources.
> > > Your error is probably due to the SP1 update installing some new
> > driver.
> > > Before seeking other help I would do a little homework on the problem
> > by
> > > uninstalling SP1, and activating, to reinstall SP1.
> > > --
> > > Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
> > > interface.
> > > 'Help about the Web-based Newsreader'
> > (http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer)
> > > Mark L. Ferguson
> > > .
> > >
> > > "Editor" <turbowicz@xxxxxx> wrote in message
> > > news:uAxNWJipIHA.3428@xxxxxx
> > > > >
Hello Editor,
Pardon me for butting in. I'm curious to know: where did you find
another product key to type in ? Thank you.


--
t-4-2

t-4-2, I typed the product code on the sticker on the top of my computer.
It wasn't a "different" product key, although Dell told me to select "Type a
different product code." I just did what they told me to do. Go figure! I
mean... is Vista supposed to make sense? {*_*} (Sorry, Vista lovers - I
hate Vista!)
Editor

"t-4-2" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> Editor;693234 Wrote:
>> Thank you, Mark. I was a bit leery to uninstall SP1, activate and
>> reinstall
>> SP1. I chatted online with someone from Dell. She told me to select
>> "Type
>> a different product code" (see below), which I did, and then entered
>> the
>> product code on my Dell. It *seems* to have worked. Time will tell.
>> Oooooooh, if only I had insisted on XP!!!
>> Editor
>>
>> "Mark L. Ferguson" <MarkLFerguson@xxxxxx> wrote in
>> message news:FA8E9164-7A2A-4588-9F6D-9CA6DA2E53A1@xxxxxx> > >
>> > > Dell has very good live chat support, among other resources.
>> > > Your error is probably due to the SP1 update installing some new
>> > driver.
>> > > Before seeking other help I would do a little homework on the problem
>> > by
>> > > uninstalling SP1, and activating, to reinstall SP1.
>> > > --
>> > > Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
>> > > interface.
>> > > 'Help about the Web-based Newsreader'
>> > (http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...eAPostAsAnswer)
>> > > Mark L. Ferguson
>> > > .
>> > >
>> > > "Editor" <turbowicz@xxxxxx> wrote in message
>> > > news:uAxNWJipIHA.3428@xxxxxx
>> > > > >
> Hello Editor,
> Pardon me for butting in. I'm curious to know: where did you find
> another product key to type in ? Thank you.
>
>
> --
> t-4-2

Editor;693355 Wrote:
> t-4-2, I typed the product code on the sticker on the top of m
> computer
> It wasn't a "different" product key, although Dell told me to selec
> "Type
> different product code." I just did what they told me to do. Go figure
>
> mean... is Vista supposed to make sense? {*_*} (Sorry, Vista lovers -
> hate Vista!
> Edito
>
> "t-4-2" <> wrote in messag
> news:...> > >
> >
> > > Editor;693234 Wrote
> > > Hello Editor
> > > Pardon me for butting in. I'm curious to know: where did you fin
> > > another product key to type in ? Thank you
> >
> >
> > > -
> > > t-4-2 > >
Thank you for your reply. I'm still hopelessly confused

--
t-4-2

Editor wrote:
> Last night, all was well with my computer. Woke up this morning with a
> black desktop (icons still intact) and a window stating: "The Windows
> Vista Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation."
>
> My choices are:
> *Buy a new product key online
> *Type a different product key
> *Contact Dell to help resolve this problem
>
> Dell has not been very helpful to me in the past so I hesitate to call
> them. (My Dell came pre-installed with Vista. I installed SP1 a couple
> weeks ago without incident.)
>
> I made NO changes to my computer between last night and this morning.
> Anyone??? Thanks.
> Editor


You've no option but to call Dell. Having an OEM installation of
Vista, they're your *only* recourse. (Or you could pay Microsoft for help.)


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

t-4-2 wrote:
> Editor;693355 Wrote:
>> t-4-2, I typed the product code on the sticker on the top of my
>> computer.
>> It wasn't a "different" product key, although Dell told me to select
>> "Type a
>> different product code." I just did what they told me to do. Go figure!
>> I
>> mean... is Vista supposed to make sense? {*_*} (Sorry, Vista lovers - I
>> hate Vista!)
>> Editor
>>
>> "t-4-2" <> wrote in message
>> news:...> > >
>>>> Editor;693234 Wrote:
>>>> Hello Editor,
>>>> Pardon me for butting in. I'm curious to know: where did you find
>>>> another product key to type in ? Thank you.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> t-4-2 > >
> Thank you for your reply. I'm still hopelessly confused !
>
>


No need to be confused. The OP really did enter a different Product
Key, but without realizing it.

If you have a factory-installed OEM license, and haven't since
reinstalled the OS, the original Product Key is that of the drive image
used at the factory and not the specific Product Key affixed to the PC's
case.

When the OP entered the Product Key from the CoA label, he entered a
different Key.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Bruce, thank you for your concern. As stated in an earlier post, I DID
contact Dell. My response to Mark was:
"Thank you, Mark. I was a bit leery to uninstall SP1, activate and
reinstall
SP1. I chatted online with someone from Dell. She told me to select "Type
a different product code" (see below), which I did, and then entered the
product code on my Dell. It *seems* to have worked. Time will tell.
Oooooooh, if only I had insisted on XP!!!
Editor"

"Bruce Chambers" <3t> wrote in message
news:...
> Editor wrote:
>> Last night, all was well with my computer. Woke up this morning with a
>> black desktop (icons still intact) and a window stating: "The Windows
>> Vista Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation."
>>
>> My choices are:
>> *Buy a new product key online
>> *Type a different product key
>> *Contact Dell to help resolve this problem
>>
>> Dell has not been very helpful to me in the past so I hesitate to call
>> them. (My Dell came pre-installed with Vista. I installed SP1 a couple
>> weeks ago without incident.)
>>
>> I made NO changes to my computer between last night and this morning.
>> Anyone??? Thanks.
>> Editor
>
>
> You've no option but to call Dell. Having an OEM installation of Vista,
> they're your *only* recourse. (Or you could pay Microsoft for help.)
>
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375
>
> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
>
> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand
> Russell
>
> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
> killed a great many philosophers.
> ~ Denis Diderot

product key you typed is invalid for activation
Editor posted on Thursday, April 24, 2008 11:46 AM


Last night, all was well with my computer. Woke up this morning with a
black desktop (icons still intact) and a window stating: "The Windows Vista
Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation."

My choices are:
*Buy a new product key online
*Type a different product key
*Contact Dell to help resolve this problem




Editor wrote:

product key you typed is invalid for activation
24-Apr-08

Last night, all was well with my computer. Woke up this morning with a
black desktop (icons still intact) and a window stating: "The Windows Vista
Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation.

My choices are
*Buy a new product key onlin
*Type a different product ke
*Contact Dell to help resolve this proble

Dell has not been very helpful to me in the past so I hesitate to call them.
(My Dell came pre-installed with Vista. I installed SP1 a couple weeks ago
without incident.

I made NO changes to my computer between last night and this morning
Anyone??? Thanks
Editor

Previous Posts In This Thread:

On Thursday, April 24, 2008 11:46 AM
Editor wrote:

product key you typed is invalid for activation
Last night, all was well with my computer. Woke up this morning with a
black desktop (icons still intact) and a window stating: "The Windows Vista
Home Premium product key you typed is invalid for activation.

My choices are
*Buy a new product key onlin
*Type a different product ke
*Contact Dell to help resolve this proble

Dell has not been very helpful to me in the past so I hesitate to call them.
(My Dell came pre-installed with Vista. I installed SP1 a couple weeks ago
without incident.

I made NO changes to my computer between last night and this morning
Anyone??? Thanks
Editor

On Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:02 PM
Mark L. Ferguson wrote:

Dell has very good live chat support, among other resources.
Dell has very good live chat support, among other resources
Your error is probably due to the SP1 update installing some new driver
Before seeking other help I would do a little homework on the problem by
uninstalling SP1, and activating, to reinstall SP1
--
Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the we
interface.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales...teAPostAsAnswe
Mark L. Ferguso