product key you typed is invalid for activation

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Editor

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
 
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
 
Editor said:
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
Click to expand...


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://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 said:
Thank you for your reply. I'm still hopelessly confused !
Click to expand...


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://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"
 
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:

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

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
 
The product key for your Dell is located on a sticker somewhere on the
computer/laptop. Find it, write it down, then select "Type a different
product key" and enter it.
 
Black Desktop with Icons intact?

Caught up with you using a pirated key or OS. You are on your own bud. Splurge and
purchase a legal copy
 
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 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
Click to expand...

As the copy of Windows that came with your Dell (I'm assuming that's the
copy of Windows in question) is OEM, and all support must come from Dell
whether you like it or not.
As Michael told you, the correct key *should* be on a sticker on the
computer. Try that key again carefully. If it fails, contact Dell. They are
the only party obligated to help you.
 
Not always true, Peter. I formatted and re-installed Vista on this box 3
months ago using the Vista disc Dell sent me. It never asked for a key. I
thought everything was fine until a few weeks ago when I encountered the
same thing. Friggin' Dell put the sticker on the bottom of the tower. I
entered the key and all is fine. This was the first time I had this
situation with an OEM disk. I'm just giving the OP the benefit of the
doubt.
 
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