LEGAL Windows XP Validation Key Blocked by an unknown source!!!

Teresa · 13-11-2005

After 6 PLUS hours trying to remedy this problem which has caused a nightmare
for me, I have received this reply from my Windows caseworker:
"After further checking the Product Key and PID, I found that the Product
Key is invalid. The PID was created by a keygenned volume license key. From
the screenshot included in your previous email, I found that error code
0x80080220 occurred when performing Windows Validation. Error code 0x80080220
means that Blocked VLK Windows has been installed with an invalid product
key. The machine has a VLK (Volume License Key) that has been blocked by
Microsoft. The key used to install your copy of Windows is a Volume Licensing
Key, which is typically sold to larger corporations. These keys are never
printed on COA stickers that say OEM. The key is in the XP Range Blocked
PID, this indicates that the key was not generated by Microsoft and was
generated by a counterfeiter using a reverse engineered Key Generator". (the
end)
I need to know HOW I am supposed to remedy this without much VALUABLE time &
data lost. I believe that Windows should be on top of this problem, as I have
seen many posts with the same problem.. Windows should be working on a real
remedy for it.. Any advise?

waygol · 13-11-2005

Not sure how you got your version of XP installed on your machine. However
VLK licenses are not for use by the general public. So the only way that
copy of XP would be valid, is if your company has a valid VLK license. If
so, they should be able to remedy the situatuion. If they do not, then you
remain having an invalid VLK license on your machine. If you purchased the
machine with it installed, then go back to the seller. For that matter, does
your machine have the XP product key attached to it. If it does, you may
want to go back to microsoft with that and see if they can help. Otherwise,
use the link you get at windows update and go through the process of bringing
your copy of xp to geniunine. There is an expense to doing that but, other
than that, it will not be painful.

Teresa · 13-11-2005

MY legal version of Windows was installed on the PC when I bought it from
DELL in 2003..
Dell doesn't know what to do and neither does Windows..!!!My version is
valid..
My validation key is blocked & can't be unblocked!
I have tried everything they both have recommended.. Microsoft needs to help
me get it UNBLOCKED but they have been "dancing around" the problem..I am mad
to say the least because I use my PC for work and I PAID for the REAL version
of Windows and cant afford proffessional help.....

Carey Frisch [MVP] · 13-11-2005

Dell does not install a Volume License Version of Windows XP
on their computers. Someone apparently installed one on your
computer. You have only two options:

-- Contact Dell and order their Windows XP Reinstallation CD
and reformat your drive and install it.

Clean Install Windows XP

-- Purchase a conventional "Full Version" of Windows XP Pro and
perform a "Repair Install".

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install

Lawrence Garvin [MVP] · 13-11-2005

While I have been critical of some recommendations Carey has made to have
people buy 'new' FPP (retail) copies of Windows XP -- in this case, Carey is
absolutely right. Note also that Carey's first option, here, was to obtain the
REINSTALLATION CD from DELL for /that/ machine - which does not require the
purchase of a new license. Of course, that assumes that the machine has a
valid CoA with a valid Product Key, and the only issue is the lack of
installation media.

The basic point, however, is absolutely correct:
There is no LEGAL means by which Dell would have machines installed
with Volume License Product Keys.

Now.. as for the comment "Dell doesn't know what to do".... that's hogwash,
and the remedy here is to LEAN very hard on Dell. The Service Tag and/or
Express Service Code on the hardware is specifically tied to a purchase
document which specifies exactly what was purchased on that hardware.
Furthermore, if the software is a valid DELL OEM package, the Dell Service Tag
and Express Service Code will be displayed on the Computer | Properties |
System dialog box.

The first step is to verify that the machine was actually purchased with
Windows XP PROFESSIONAL. Note: While the edition that is installed has not
been specifically stated, it's a trivial matter to note that a VLK can /only/
be used to INSTALL the Pro edition of Windows XP. DELL is perfectly capable of
investigating and verifying what operating system was /purchased/ with the
original hardware, and Dell's Customer Service should be pressed to provide
that information to the OP.

Furthermore, if this is a bona fide DELL computer (and don't forget.. DELL,
for a while, sold direct to 'system builders'), and even today a 'system
builder' can purchase a DELL system with no operating system, and then install
an OEM SystemBuilder (or other illegal version, if they want) onto that
system -- then there should be a Certificate of Authentiticy attached to the
CASE of the computer with the proper name of the installed (legal) operating
system and the Product Key used to activate that system.

The machine should either have a Media Kit, which contains the DELL OEM
Product Key hardcoded into the setup files on the CDROM, or the machine
contains a "system partition" which can be used to re-install the ORIGINAL
operating system.

Lacking either of those, however, the only legal remedy, aside from a
cooperative effort from Dell, is to purchase a legal full packaged product.

Greg Ro · 14-11-2005

Two reasons. At a work place. They got a vlk for 2 machines from
dell that included a version fo Microsoft Office.

Another reason
some oem companies preinstall there system with a volume license key.
Mike B of Microsoft has also said this. These are on systems made
before March 2005, I have a legally bought system that has vlk.

You should always try the key fix before buying another copy.

I bought an emachine it legally licensed and did not require
activation from walmart in 2004.

That some OEMs (Big manufactures) use VLK to install windows xp on
their machines. So the customer will not have to activate their
system unless they do a repair install.

I have played around with my system to know this

If I use the image key on the emachine it does not have to be
activated on the emachine computer most hardware changes don't count

If I use the oem key listed on my machine it does have to be
activated. Hardware changes would count more so than the above.

As for the key fix

Keys do get messed up during installation and reinstallation. I know
mine has.

Lawrence Garvin [MVP] · 14-11-2005

No.. they did not get a legal VLK from DELL. Those systems /might/ have
software installed that was legally licensed from a Volume Licensing
Agreement, but the KEY did not come from an OEM -- legally.

Again... not LEGALLY. Preinstalled (OEM) software is required to have an OEM
Product Key, not a VL Product Key.

Unless Mike B is a senior manager in the Licensing Group, or a lawyer, then
"Mike B" is not an authoritative source. (Neither am I, for what its worth,
anybody who /really/ cares should be asking Microsoft Licensing.)

While it may be legally "bought"... it is not legally licensed.

EXCEPTION: Some LARGE Volume Licensing customers have a SERVICE AGREEMENT
with Dell Consulting to install their software for them. However, in such
arrangements, the software did not come from DELL, nor did the KEY -- both
came from the CUSTOMER.

Incidentally, this 'fix' is actually published as a Microsoft KB article, and
I've previously cited it elsewhere in regards to these type of issues.
However, for this 'fix' to be useful, one must first possess a VALID key for
the type of system and license installed.

The KB article is http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874

Carey Frisch [MVP] · 14-11-2005

eMachine uses SLP information stored in an OEM PC's BIOS to protect
the installation from casual piracy. When installing an emachine OEM
version of Windows XP, the eMachine CD compares the PC's BIOS to the
SLP information. If it matches, installation is permitted to proceed.
If it does not match, installation is aborted.

Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/com...411_tn_pa.mspx

No major PC manufacturer uses Volume License versions of XP.
They use "OEM Versions".

most oem companies
use VLK to install on the computers and don't require activation."

Royalty OEMs (Dell, eMachine, HP, Gateway, etc) use a 'golden master'
OEM copy of Windows from Microsoft.

A Guide to OEM Customization for Windows
http://msdn.microsoft.com/isv/resources/oemsoftware/

Go to www.microsoft.com/genuine and revalidate.
Reboot your computer after this is done.
Let us know if this fixes the issue.
Sometimes revalidating and rebooting syncs the Windows library files.

GregRo · 14-11-2005

My system was preinstalled. Mike Brannigan and even Jupiter Jones
have said on most oem companies use VLK to install on the computers
and don't require activation.

Even Windows Genuine advantage said
Your key is a VLK used by manufactures to preinstall windows.
I have played around with my system to know this

If I use the image key on the emachine it does not have to be
activated on the emachine computer most hardware changes don't count

If I use the oem key listed on my machine it does have to be
activated. Hardware changes would count more so than the above.

Robin Walker [MVP] · 01-06-2006

Did update 905474 install correctly and completely? Send Internet Explorer
to the Windows Update or Microsoft Update web site, and click on "Review
your update history". Locate the most recent reference to 905474 (there may
well be more than one). If it failed, it will have a red cross in the
Status column. If so, click on the red cross to obtain the error code and
diagnostic information, and post it into a follow-up in this thread.

Please also post the contents of the file
C:\WINDOWS\WgaNotify.log
so that we can narrow down the cause of the problem.

Please also download "MGADiag" from
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=56062
then run it, click "copy to clipboard" and paste the information from that
into a follow-up.

Please also declare what third-party anti-malware, firewall, or
popup-blockers you have installed.

cmc · 01-06-2006

I also have started receiving the "illegal version of windows" flag. I have
a 3-yr old Dell that came with XP Home edition installed. I have not made any
updates to this operating system except for windows auto updates since I
received the PC. I've gone thru the threads in this posting, and I'm not
sure what to do. Suggestions are welcome. I am certainly not willing to pay
hard cash for a new "legal" version of XP when I purchased a PC that had a
legal copy of XP installed.

I reviewed my update history. 950474 update has a status of "install
succeeded" on 5/31. I ran MGadiag. Here is the result.
WGA Diagnostic Data (1.5.0530.2):
--------------------
Genuine Validation Status: Genuine
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-GD6GR-K6DP3-4C8MT
Windows Product Key Hash: s2kt66ZJWfV4nS1wFD5F9bxTSDw=
Windows Product ID: 55277-OEM-2111907-00102
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 5.1.2600.2.00010300.2.0.hom
Download Center code: XDBN3PD
ID: 0f727233-4591-487b-82c6-7de91360d90f
Is Admin: Yes
AutoDial: No
Registry: 0x0
WGA Version: Registered, 1.5.532.0.
Signature Type: Microsoft.
Validation Diagnostic:

Scan: Complete
Cryptography: Complete

Office Status: 100
Office Diagnostics:

Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Allowed
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed

Office Details:
<GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>0f727233-4591-487b-82c6-7de91360d90f</UGUID><Version>1.5.0530.2</Version><OS>5.1.2600.2.00010300.2.0.hom</OS><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-4C8MT</PKey><PID>55277-OEM-2111907-00102</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-2745678790-2826650621-2974146706</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Dell
Computer Corporation</Manufacturer><Model>Dimension 8200
</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Dell Computer
Corporation</Manufacturer><Version>A05</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2"
minor="3"/><Date>20020418000000.000000+000</Date><SLPBIOS>Dell System,Dell
Computer,Dell System,Dell
System</SLPBIOS></BIOS><HWID>E407318F0184C062</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Pacific
Standard Time(GMT-08:00)</TimeZone></MachineData>
<Software><Office><Result>100</Result><Products><Product
GUID="{91110409-6000-11D3-8CFE-0150048383C9}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft
Office Professional Edition
2003</Name><Ver>11</Ver><Val>7D2D231B2C04578</Val><Hash>nWTi/cLomEwbTYZMdF51gOzFxgg=</Hash><Pid>70145-700-6587522-57515</Pid></Product></Products></Office></Software></GenuineResults>

For 3rd party, anti-malware, firewall & popup blockers, I have the following:
Trend Miccro Pc-Cillin Internet Security 2006, Program Version: 14.10.1041,
Engine version: 8.0.1001, Pattern version: 3.471.00

Zone Alarm Pro version 6.1.744.001, Tru Vector Security Ebgine verison
6.1.744.001, Driver version 6.1.744.001, Antispyware version 4.67.0

Spybot 1.2 (although it's downlevel and I don't use it)

I also have the popup blockers set to ON in Mozilla, Yahoo

Robin Walker [MVP] · 01-06-2006

So you have the satisfaction of knowing that Microsoft do consider your XP
to be Genuine, and we are dealing with some failure of the most recent
version of 905474.

You might wish to post your experience on the WGA forum at
http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/...=442&SiteID=25

You can also try the Diagnostic at
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag/
Follow through the diagnostic pages, and then Validate Windows. Please post
and let us know if doing so fixed anything else for you.

Well, if Dell doesn't install "Volume License Versions" of Windows XP on
their computers then who at Dell did? I am in the same situation with the
same product key, same validation issues, and I will NOT purchase ANOTHER
copy. Incredible, isn't it! Several people in various locations have the
identical non-existant product license key all installed by the same
'someone'? Dell emphatically refuses to send a replacement copy and denies
fault .... as Microsoft seems to be doing as well ...

Please follow this troubleshooting procedure:

1. Download and install the MGA Diagnostic Tool:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

2. After running the MGA Diagnostic Tool, click
on the "Windows" tab and then click on "Copy".

3. Next, visit the following website and create a post in the
"WGA Validation Problems" forum and paste the
results of the WGA Diagnostic Data in a detailed post.
http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/...aspx?SiteID=25

4. A WGA troubleshooting specialist will analyze the data and
recommend an appropriate solution.

**silvert** · 29-03-2010

Since this thread is so old I dont know if my post will generate a response, but I have an old Toshiba laptop (Satellite M55 S3315) with the original version of Windows XP installed, and suddenly (no software installation or anything else) I get this annoying diagnostic. I will try to dig up the original disks and after totally backing up everything bring it back to factory default status, but this is a real annoyance. Anyone else have Toshiba problems?