Vista seems to be locking down- All kinds of problems

Devin3m

New Member
Hello, I came across this site via google. I was looking for issues on how to fix one of my problems and through troubleshooting I've come to realize that I have even more problems than I thought I did.

I recently built a new computer and bought the Vista Ultimate upgrade for it. I'm running Vista Ultimate x64. My system is:
  • Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
  • 2x Geforce 8800 GTS in SLI
  • Asus P532N-SLI motherboard
  • 4GB Corsair DDR2 800MHz RAM
  • 2x 150gb WD SE16 SATA drives running in RAID 0 Striped
Seemingly out of nowhere, system services have stopped working. I have all kinds of problems:
  • Can't open control panel
  • Can't access my computer 'properties' (where it would show all the specs, allow me to change product key, etc)
  • Can't access the "Personalize" menu from my desktop
  • The "Aero" theme is unavaliable
  • Can't access Windows Update
  • Can't access Windows Ultimate Extras
  • and many other system operations are blocked
  • Can't access my 'installed updates' to even attempt to rollback any updates that may have caused this.
I know what comes to mind immediately: Invalid product key, so the system is locking down. The only problem is, my product key ISN'T invalid and I only encountered this problem recently.

Yes, Software Licensing service is running.
All of my NVIDIA FORCEWARE drivers are up to date.
I have all hotfixes that apply to my computer.
I used System Restore to as far back as possible to no avail.
I tried booting from the Windows DVD and repairing from there, with no luck.

I do have the Vista SP1 RC installed, which could be the issue, but it was working fine with it installed for the past week. And I can't uninstall it even if I wanted to because I can't access the installed updates.

Sorry for the long post, but hopefully you guys get the idea, or anyone who is willing to help anyway. I'd like to fix this problem WITHOUT having to format and do a clean install if possible, that's the main reason I'm posting here. Because I know I can fix it with a clean install.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Devin
 

My Computer

I agree - It seems that your key got nuked... So if you can - Click Start, then Computer, then System Properties (top bar), then Change Product Key at the bottom of the page. Follow that wizard and if inputting your key again doesn't work, you'll be prompted to use the phone - it's a 5 minute toll free call.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Proudly Built by Me!
    CPU
    Intel Q6600
    Motherboard
    DFI UT LP P35 T2R
    Memory
    8GB OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 C44GK 4-4-4-12 2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon 4870x2
    Sound Card
    AuzenTech Prelude 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 Acer P243 24" and 1 Samsung T260 26" Monitor/HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    Both are running at 19x12
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 7200.11 (Vista x64)
    Seagate 500GB 7200.11 (Win 7 x64)
    PSU
    OCZ GameXtream 900w
    Other Info
    FSB at 400 (1600) Mhz, CPU Multi @ 8 for 3.2Ghz
I agree - It seems that your key got nuked... So if you can - Click Start, then Computer, then System Properties (top bar), then Change Product Key at the bottom of the page. Follow that wizard and if inputting your key again doesn't work, you'll be prompted to use the phone - it's a 5 minute toll free call.

Hey- Thanks for the reply. I can't access system properties though. Clicking that link gives me the same result as right clicking on computer and clicking properties-Nothing.

There must be a workaround way to fix my key, somewhere...

Thanks again for the reply,
Devin
 

My Computer

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Proudly Built by Me!
    CPU
    Intel Q6600
    Motherboard
    DFI UT LP P35 T2R
    Memory
    8GB OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 C44GK 4-4-4-12 2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon 4870x2
    Sound Card
    AuzenTech Prelude 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 Acer P243 24" and 1 Samsung T260 26" Monitor/HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    Both are running at 19x12
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 7200.11 (Vista x64)
    Seagate 500GB 7200.11 (Win 7 x64)
    PSU
    OCZ GameXtream 900w
    Other Info
    FSB at 400 (1600) Mhz, CPU Multi @ 8 for 3.2Ghz

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Proudly Built by Me!
    CPU
    Intel Q6600
    Motherboard
    DFI UT LP P35 T2R
    Memory
    8GB OCZ Reaper DDR2 800 C44GK 4-4-4-12 2T
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire Radeon 4870x2
    Sound Card
    AuzenTech Prelude 7.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 Acer P243 24" and 1 Samsung T260 26" Monitor/HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    Both are running at 19x12
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 7200.11 (Vista x64)
    Seagate 500GB 7200.11 (Win 7 x64)
    PSU
    OCZ GameXtream 900w
    Other Info
    FSB at 400 (1600) Mhz, CPU Multi @ 8 for 3.2Ghz
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