Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: product key you typed is invalid for activation

  1. #1
    Editor Guest

    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


  2. #2
    Mark L. Ferguson Guest

    Re: product key you typed is invalid for activation

    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.

  3. #3
    Editor Guest

    Re: product key you typed is invalid for activation

    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

  4. #4
    t-4-2 Guest
    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!)

  5. #5
    Bruce Chambers Guest

    Re: product key you typed is invalid for activation

    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.)

  6. #6
    Bruce Chambers Guest

    Re: product key you typed is invalid for activation

    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.

  7. #7
    Editor Guest

    Re: product key you typed is invalid for activation

    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"

  8. #8
    sailaja t Guest

    product key

    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

  9. #9
    Michael Guest
    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

  10. #10
    PvdG42 Guest

    Re: product key

    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.

  11. #11
    Michael Guest

    Re: product key

    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.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    1

    Re: product key you typed is invalid for activation-help

    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.
    Last edited by bluebutterfly1234; 29-01-2010 at 11:06 PM.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    1

    Re: product key you typed is invalid for activation

    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.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    1,736

    Re: product key you typed is invalid for activation

    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

Similar Threads

  1. GTA IV: Product key entered is invalid
    By Teucer in forum Video Games
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-12-2010, 03:30 PM
  2. Product Serial# Invalid
    By Tamkinat in forum Windows Software
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 16-07-2010, 12:03 AM
  3. Windows 7 Activation error 0XC004E003 Invalid Product Key
    By Hardik in forum Operating Systems
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-04-2010, 10:12 PM
  4. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 18-04-2008, 01:21 AM
  5. Windows Vista product key activation. Is it a 1 to 1 activation?
    By Andrzejewski in forum Vista Setup and Install
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 02-10-2007, 05:09 AM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Page generated in 1,710,831,376.86378 seconds with 16 queries