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.

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

ardon me for butting in. I'm curious to know: where did you find
another product key to type in ? Thank you.

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!)

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.)

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, 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"

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

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

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.

[bluebutterfly1234]

Hi I am having the same problem with my computer. The desktop turned black too. Does anyone know if reformatting will fix this? I don't have the money to buy a new key, and I don't think I should have to!

Also the Vista is legit, not a pirated version. I purchased it from Best Buy about 2 years ago and still have the receipt to prove it. I never changed vista to XP or tried to upgrade to 7 or anything.

I already contacted Windows for help.

I tried a keyfinder program and entered the key. Failed. Says error 0xc004e003.

[zombie_fied01]

I'm having the same issue, though my computer is an ASUS, not a Dell. Today, seemingly randomly, I booted up the computer and it told me that my activation key is invalid. Yesterday, everything was fine.
A few weeks ago I had to reboot the system because of some registry errors that were too many for me to fix. After the reboot, it ran smoothly again. Until today. This happened RIGHT after I installed my HP scanner/printer. I can't imagine this has anything to do with it, but maybe. Simultaneously I installed some Vista updates - THAT is what I think happened... Anyway, I've consulted everyone I can think of. I've tried entering in my product key again, however, the key has the number "1" and a few "0's." When I try to enter a one or a zero, I get this little pop up thingy that tells me the numbers are "unacceptable characters." I'm at a loss. Tech support for ASUS has lead me here... I'm really hoping someone, somewhere has had the same problem or at least may know a way to fix it. Please? And, of course, thank you.

[JAMES_911]

hi zombie_fied01,

There is another steps that you can follow from below to get you to the Change Product Key window is to:

1. Click the option 'Run with reduced functionality'
2. A internet Browser should come up, type: %windir%\system32\cmd.exe in the browser address bar
3. A window with a black background will come up
4. Type: slui.exe 3 and hit the Enter key
5. Type in the Product key from the sticker on your computer
6. Click the Next button.
7. You will be asked if want to Activate, click ok
8. It will attempt to Activate by the internet and will return an Invalid Key error (this is ok, continue to step 9)
9. Return to the window with the black background
10. Type: slui.exe 4 and hit the Enter key
11. Select your location in the drop down menu and click the Next button
12. The next screen provides the number to call to Activate by Phone