Vista won't activate

Dwindle · Jan 20, 2008, 07:00 PM

I bought this Gateway last month, have made no alterations on it, but from the start, the product key won't work. So, I call Microsoft, do the 50 digit exchange thing with the Hindu guy, and the computer works. Then, 20 days later, It wants a new key again.

Funny thing is, it never actually disables anything - it just keeps bugging me. The other day it was saying I had 0 days until activation, now it says 21.

Gateway, of course, can't help me with this at all.

Zelig · Jan 20, 2008, 07:04 PM

I'm assuming you haven't made any hardware changes?

Nothing gets disabled until the activation timer runs out. Reduced functionality mode is also removed from SP1 (not sure if they changed it in the betas, maybe someone can confirm).

Probably just time for another call to MS, not much else you can do.

Dwindle · Jan 20, 2008, 08:50 PM

Well, I've done it three times through MS. The biggest problem is, naturally, the guy on the other end barely speaks a word of English and says there's nothing they can do about it.

Gateway is willing to sell me a new key for the low, low price of $250.

ChaosMinionX · Jan 21, 2008, 01:34 AM

How old is the gateway?

cozumel · Jan 21, 2008, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwindle

I bought this Gateway last month...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaosMinionX

How old is the gateway?

I can sell you some spectacles if you PM me.

@Dwindle - You're just going to have to keep hassling MS for activation codes and both MS/Gateway if the problem persists.

ChaosMinionX · Jan 21, 2008, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozumel

I can sell you some spectacles if you PM me.

@Dwindle - You're just going to have to keep hassling MS for activation codes and both MS/Gateway if the problem persists.

My bad, it was even at the very beginning of the post

Anyways, I would return the Gateway if they will not give you a working activation, and gateway wont help. I would ask for my money back and get a different company.

Tipstaff · Jan 21, 2008, 08:43 AM

Windows Genuine will never ask you to activate again unless 1 of 3 things happen: 1) you made a major change to your system parts wise (in some cases a bios upgrade can trigger WGA), 2) you reinstalled your operating system, or 3) the CDkey is being used on more than one system.

My bet is that you will never get that key to work, cuz someone else is using that key too. My guess is that someone that either handled the Windows keys, or that works closely with putting the machines together copied down the key, and is either using it, or gave it to someone.

Your best bet would be to call Gateway up, and complain to them directly (forget Microsoft... it's not their problem when it comes to OEM keys). Tell them that you have had issues with the systems activation since you bought the machine, tell them exactly what happens, and ask them to fix it.

EcPercy · Jan 21, 2008, 04:55 PM

Why not report them to Microsoft? I believe (if I am not mistaken) that once you activate a key, if someone else activates the same key the first copy is deactivated.

I would report it to Microsoft as being a pirated copy.

Jan 20, 2008, 07:00 PM	#1
Dwindle DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Massachusetts Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Vista won't activate I bought this Gateway last month, have made no alterations on it, but from the start, the product key won't work. So, I call Microsoft, do the 50 digit exchange thing with the Hindu guy, and the computer works. Then, 20 days later, It wants a new key again. Funny thing is, it never actually disables anything - it just keeps bugging me. The other day it was saying I had 0 days until activation, now it says 21. Gateway, of course, can't help me with this at all.

Jan 20, 2008, 07:04 PM	#2
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	I'm assuming you haven't made any hardware changes? Nothing gets disabled until the activation timer runs out. Reduced functionality mode is also removed from SP1 (not sure if they changed it in the betas, maybe someone can confirm). Probably just time for another call to MS, not much else you can do. __________________ --

Jan 21, 2008, 01:34 AM	#4
ChaosMinionX USB 3 dot oh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,911 Rep Power: 47 System Specs	How old is the gateway? __________________ ::Heatware:: How you can help DriverHeaven by using Digg!

Jan 21, 2008, 08:43 AM	#7
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	Windows Genuine will never ask you to activate again unless 1 of 3 things happen: 1) you made a major change to your system parts wise (in some cases a bios upgrade can trigger WGA), 2) you reinstalled your operating system, or 3) the CDkey is being used on more than one system. My bet is that you will never get that key to work, cuz someone else is using that key too. My guess is that someone that either handled the Windows keys, or that works closely with putting the machines together copied down the key, and is either using it, or gave it to someone. Your best bet would be to call Gateway up, and complain to them directly (forget Microsoft... it's not their problem when it comes to OEM keys). Tell them that you have had issues with the systems activation since you bought the machine, tell them exactly what happens, and ask them to fix it. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Jan 20, 2008, 08:50 PM	Thread Starter #3
Dwindle DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Massachusetts Posts: 3 Rep Power: 0	Well, I've done it three times through MS. The biggest problem is, naturally, the guy on the other end barely speaks a word of English and says there's nothing they can do about it. Gateway is willing to sell me a new key for the low, low price of $250.

Jan 21, 2008, 04:55 PM	#8
EcPercy HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,535 Rep Power: 0	Why not report them to Microsoft? I believe (if I am not mistaken) that once you activate a key, if someone else activates the same key the first copy is deactivated. I would report it to Microsoft as being a pirated copy.