Windows Vista on Vaio suddenly decided it was invalid

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?

Rob Lewis wrote:
> 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

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..

"Charlie Tame" wrote:

> Rob Lewis wrote:
> > 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
>

Charlie Tame wrote:

> 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'

Rob Lewis wrote:
> 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.

* NT Canuck:
> Charlie Tame wrote:
>
>> 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'

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

"Rob Lewis" <> wrote in message
news:0E291BEF-FFF0-4B30-90AB-...
> 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.

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

Rob Lewis <> wrote:

>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!

NT Canuck wrote:
> Charlie Tame wrote:
>
>> 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'


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

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.




"HeyBub" wrote:

> Rob Lewis wrote:
> > 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.
>
>
>