Microsoft KB Archive/939618

= You cannot log on to a Windows Vista-based computer that you start in diagnostic startup mode =

Article ID: 939618

Article Last Modified on 7/25/2007

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APPLIES TO


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

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SYMPTOMS
When you start a Windows Vista-based computer in diagnostic startup mode, you cannot log on to the computer. Additionally, you may receive an error message that states that the activation period has expired.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because the &quot;Plug and Play&quot; service is disabled in diagnostic startup mode. Windows Product Activation depends on the &quot;Plug and Play&quot; service to determine the licensing state of the computer. When the &quot;Plug and Play&quot; service is disabled, Windows Product Activation assumes that the system is unlicensed. Therefore, you cannot log on to the computer.



WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, set the computer to normal startup mode. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) In the Windows Activation dialog box, select Access your computer with reduced-functionality to open Internet Explorer.
 * 2) In Internet Explorer, type %windir%\system32\msconfig.exe in the address bar.
 * 3) In the System Configuration dialog box, click the General tab.
 * 4) Click Normal startup, and then click OK.
 * 5) Restart the computer.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
If you must start the computer in diagnostic startup mode, you can start the &quot;Plug and Play&quot; service manually to avoid the problem that is described in the &quot;Symptoms&quot; section. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Startvistastartbutton.jpg], type msconfig in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
 * 2) Click the General tab, and then click Diagnostic startup.
 * 3) Click the Services tab, click to select the Plug and Play check box, and then click OK.
 * 4) Restart the computer.

If you must start the computer in diagnostic startup mode, and you must disable the &quot;Plug and Play&quot; service, follow these steps to make sure that you can log on to the computer:
 * 1) In the Windows Activation dialog box, select Access your computer with reduced-functionality to open Internet Explorer.
 * 2) In Internet Explorer, type %windir%\explorer.exe.

Note In reduced functionality mode, you can use the computer for only an hour. Then, you have to repeat step 1 and step 2 to log on to the computer again.

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