Microsoft KB Archive/926192

= Error message when the Windows Vista Setup program does not validate genuine product keys: &quot;Setup cannot validate your product key&quot; =

Article ID: 926192

Article Last Modified on 3/15/2007

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APPLIES TO


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

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to install Windows Vista, the Windows Vista Setup program does not validate genuine product keys as expected. Additionally, you may receive an error message that resembles the following:

Setup cannot validate your product key. Please review product key and ensure that it has been entered correctly.

This problem occurs when you use a third-party program to extract an ISO image of Windows Vista onto a local hard disk drive.

Notes
 * The WinRAR data compression utility is an example of a third-party program that experiences this problem.
 * This problem does not occur when you perform either of the following actions:
 * You burn an ISO image of Windows Vista onto a DVD.
 * You use a third-party program to mount an ISO image of Windows Vista on a virtual DVD drive.



CAUSE
If the third-party program in question does not have a setting to preserve file-name length in extracted files, the third-party program truncates the file names of some Windows Vista files. Specifically, this problem occurs when the third-party program truncates the names of Windows Vista files that are used during the product key verification process.



WORKAROUND
If the third-party program truncates file names, rename the following files:

These files are located in the Sources subfolder in the folder into which you extracted the Setup files. After you rename these files, the Windows Vista Setup program successfully validates genuine product keys.



MORE INFORMATION
The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Keywords: kbtshoot kbbug kbexpertiseinter KB926192

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