Virtualbox

DCFC79

Im trying to install vista in virtualbox and when i enter the s number it says "your product key cannot be validated. review your product key and make sure that you have entered it correctly", is this because i had vista installed using vm player and ive just uninstalled it, how do i overcome this, do i need to wait for the servers to recognise the serial number isnt in use or can i call and do it over the phone

Hammyman

If you've used an OEM version of Vista and already activated it in another virtual machine application, that's that if its failing on the activation. If it won't even get as far as installing, then something else is wrong. You can try installing without entering any key and just selecting the version you have a key for (Basic, Premium, Business, Ultimate) and then when you go to activate and it fails, enter the serial number you've got.

Beware though that if you were one of those people who got keys when Microsofts Technet site screwed up and was billing subscriptions at £0.00, they've blocked all the keys issued.

mttylad

Does the VM have access to the internet through the ethernet port?

ISTR that the port has to be enabled in the VM first.

DCFC79

Hammyman wrote: »

If you've used an OEM version of Vista and already activated it in another virtual machine application, that's that if its failing on the activation. If it won't even get as far as installing, then something else is wrong. You can try installing without entering any key and just selecting the version you have a key for (Basic, Premium, Business, Ultimate) and then when you go to activate and it fails, enter the serial number you've got.

Beware though that if you were one of those people who got keys when Microsofts Technet site screwed up and was billing subscriptions at £0.00, they've blocked all the keys issued.

well its not an oem copy, its a retail boxed copy eg it came in a case etc, yes its failing at activation screen, yes ill give it another try but not entering the key

havent done whats in bold,

thanks

DCFC79

mttylad wrote: »

Does the VM have access to the internet through the ethernet port?

ISTR that the port has to be enabled in the VM first.

yes i believe it had access, ill double check though

paddyrg

DCFC79 wrote: »

well its not an oem copy, its a retail boxed copy eg it came in a case etc, yes its failing at activation screen, yes ill give it another try but not entering the key

havent done whats in bold,

thanks

It could have run out of activations, easily solved, call up MS and they will ask you a few questions (eg the small number in the DVD centre) just to verify you are the real licenseholder, and job done, they will add a bunch more activations to the key, free.

Hammyman

Seconded. Activation by phone is the best option. Being retail, you can install it, remove it and install on another machine a million times if you please, just as long as its not on two at the same time. OTTOMH, I seem to recall the "reset" period is 6 months before it works by activating online.

DCFC79

paddyrg wrote: »

It could have run out of activations, easily solved, call up MS and they will ask you a few questions (eg the small number in the DVD centre) just to verify you are the real licenseholder, and job done, they will add a bunch more activations to the key, free.

yes ill give them a call tomorrow,

thanks