Microsoft KB Archive/937150

= You receive an error message when you try to activate Windows Vista after you upgrade by using Windows Anytime Upgrade =

Article ID: 937150

Article Last Modified on 5/15/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Ultimate
 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Starter

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario. You have a computer that is running a version of Windows Vista. You upgrade to another version of Windows Vista by using the Windows Anytime Upgrade (WAU) DVD. Then, you try to activate Windows Vista over the Internet. In this scenario, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

The Windows Vista  product key you typed is invalid for activation.



CAUSE
This issue occurs if one of the following conditions is true:
 * You type an incorrect product key when you use the Windows Anytime Upgrade DVD to upgrade Windows Vista.
 * You type the product key from the original version of Windows Vista when you upgrade Windows Vista.

Note Windows Anytime Upgrade is an upgrade option that lets you upgrade a basic version of Windows Vista to a version of Windows Vista that contains more features. This upgrade option requires that you purchase a Windows Anytime Upgrade package for the particular version of Windows Vista. The Windows Anytime Upgrade package includes a license agreement and a product key for the version of Windows Vista to which you are upgrading.



RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Use the automated telephone system to activate Windows Vista

 * 1) Start Windows Activation if it is not already running.
 * 2) In the Activate Windows Now dialog box, click Show me other ways to activate.
 * 3) Click Use the automated phone system.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or click Continue.
 * 1) Find the nearest location to call, and then make a telephone call to one of the telephone numbers that are listed.
 * 2) Follow the instructions in the automated telephone system to activate Windows Vista.

Note If the activation is unsuccessful, the automated telephone system routes you to a Customer Support Services representative for help.

Method 2: Restore the computer to its original state and then upgrade the computer
If you cannot activate Windows Vista, you must restore the computer to its original state. After you restore the computer to its original state, you can upgrade it.

If Windows Vista was preinstalled on the computer by the manufacturer, you must refer to the computer documentation or contact the system manufacturer for help with restoring the computer to its original state.

For information about how to contact computer system manufacturers, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K

60781 Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P

60782 Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about how to install Windows, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

918884 How to install Windows Vista

316941 How to install or upgrade to Windows XP

Note We recommend that you back up and verify the data on the computer before you perform a new installation of Windows.

For more information about Windows Anytime Upgrade, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/faq.mspx

Keywords: kbexpertisebeginner kbtshoot kbprb KB937150

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