Microsoft KB Archive/931276

= Error message when you try to activate Windows Vista: &quot;An error has occurred&quot; =

Article ID: 931276

Article Last Modified on 11/28/2007

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APPLIES TO


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

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to activate Windows Vista, you may receive the following error message:

An error has occurred

In this case, you also receive one of the following error codes and descriptions.



CAUSE
The description in the error message contains the cause of the error message.



Error codes 0xC004C003, 0xC004C001, 0xC004C008, 0xC004C812, 0xCD004F050, 0xC004C4CE, and 0x8007232B
If you receive one of these error codes, change the product key to activate Windows Vista. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Open the System item in Control Panel. To do this, click Startvistastartbutton.jpg], type System in the Start Search box, and then click System in the Programs list.
 * 2) In the Windows activation section, click the Change product key link securityshield.jpg]. If you receive the User Account Control Dialog message, click Continue. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type password.
 * 3) In the Product key field, type the product key, and then click Next.
 * 4) Follow the steps in the Windows Activation Wizard to complete the activation process.

Note If you expect to activate Windows Vista by using a Key Management Service (KMS), see the following documents about volume activation:
 * Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 - FAQ
 * Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Step-By-Step Guide
 * Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Attributes

Error codes 0xC004F027, 0xC003E004, and 0xC004E003
If you receive one of these error codes, reactivate Windows Vista. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Open the System item in Control Panel. To do this, click Startvistastartbutton.jpg], type System in the Start Search box, and then click System in the Programs list.
 * 2) In the Windows activation section, click the Change product key link. securityshield.jpg] If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password.
 * 3) In the Product key field, type the product key, and then click Next.
 * 4) Follow the steps in the Windows Activation Wizard to complete the activation process.

Error code 0xC004F033
If you receive this error code, verify that the product key can be used to upgrade Windows Vista from the current edition to the edition for which the key is intended. For more information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

932616 Installation choices for consumer versions of Windows Vista (32-bit only)

932795 Installation choices for 64-bit consumer versions of Windows Vista

Error codes 0XC004D401 and 0x80080250
You receive one of these error codes because your antivirus software or Digital Rights Management (DRM) software is incompatible with Windows Vista. Contact the software manufacturer of the antivirus software or of the DRM software to obtain a version that is compatible with Window Vista, and then reactivate Windows Vista. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

931699 Error message when you use Windows Vista: &quot;An unauthorized change was made to your license&quot;

Error codes 0x8004FC03, 0X8004FE2D, 0x8004FE33, 0x8004FE91, 0x80072EE7, 0x80072EFD, 0x80072F78, and 0x80072F8F
If you receive one of these error codes, verify that your Internet connection is working, and then try to reactivate Windows Vista. To resolve this issue, follow the steps in the appropriate section.

The computer is connected to the Internet
View the &quot;Troubleshoot network and Internet connection problems&quot; topic on the following Windows Online Help and Support Web site:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/33307acf-0698-41ba-b014-ea0a2eb8d0a81033.mspx

The computer is not connected to the Internet
View the &quot;Troubleshoot network and Internet connection problems&quot; topic in Windows Help and Support on the computer's hard disk by following these steps:
 * 1) Click Start, and then click Help and Support.
 * 2) In the Search Help box or in the Search online Help box, type Troubleshoot network and Internet connection problems, and then click Search Help.
 * 3) In the list of topics, click Troubleshoot network and Internet connection problems.
 * 4) Click the link that best describes the problem that you are experiencing.
 * 5) Follow the suggestions to troubleshoot the problem that you are experiencing.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about reduced functionality mode, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

925582 The behavior of reduced functionality mode in Windows Vista

For more information about the &quot;activation period has expired&quot; error message, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

925616 Error message when you start Windows Vista: &quot;Your activation period has expired&quot;

Keywords: kbtshoot kbprb kbexpertisebeginner KB931276

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