Vista RC1 Activation Product Key Question

Today I download RC1 and obtained a product key with the Windows Live Log
on and acount activation. When I installed Vista RC1 it did not prompt me
for a product key and installed. This was a fresh install onto a computer.
Now when I attempt to enter a product key Windows vista rejects it, it
already has a all numbers product key and I can not activate the product.
Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem?

TIA,


Keith

Let me guess. You have previously installed the Beta 2 release? The same
Product key is used and was probably still in the registry....

"Keith" wrote:

> Today I download RC1 and obtained a product key with the Windows Live Log
> on and acount activation. When I installed Vista RC1 it did not prompt me
> for a product key and installed. This was a fresh install onto a computer.
> Now when I attempt to enter a product key Windows vista rejects it, it
> already has a all numbers product key and I can not activate the product.
> Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem?
>
> TIA,
>
>
> Keith
>
>
>
>

If you previously installed Beta 2 then the product key is already there.
(same key for RC1)
"Keith" wrote:

> Today I download RC1 and obtained a product key with the Windows Live Log
> on and acount activation. When I installed Vista RC1 it did not prompt me
> for a product key and installed. This was a fresh install onto a computer.
> Now when I attempt to enter a product key Windows vista rejects it, it
> already has a all numbers product key and I can not activate the product.
> Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem?
>
> TIA,
>
>
> Keith
>
>
>
>

The product key you have is only valid for Vista Ultimate if you installed
Home Premium or Home Basic or one of the others, it will not let you
activate it The vista DVD has all versions on it but you can only activate
the version you have the product key for and MSFT has only given out keys
for the Ultimate edition.

You can check which version you have installed by typing "winver" in the run
command

"Keith" <kewradio@spam-newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:eoY9$cD4GHA.3428@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Today I download RC1 and obtained a product key with the Windows Live Log
> on and acount activation. When I installed Vista RC1 it did not prompt me
> for a product key and installed. This was a fresh install onto a
> computer. Now when I attempt to enter a product key Windows vista rejects
> it, it already has a all numbers product key and I can not activate the
> product. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem?
>
> TIA,
>
>
> Keith
>
>
>

In addition to my last post
If you did install the Ultimate edition you should try right clicking the
"computer" icon on your desktop then click on properties at the bottom
you'll see a "Change product key link"
re-enter your product key this has worked for many others
I hope this info helps you.

"Keith" <kewradio@spam-newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:eoY9$cD4GHA.3428@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Today I download RC1 and obtained a product key with the Windows Live Log
> on and acount activation. When I installed Vista RC1 it did not prompt me
> for a product key and installed. This was a fresh install onto a
> computer. Now when I attempt to enter a product key Windows vista rejects
> it, it already has a all numbers product key and I can not activate the
> product. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem?
>
> TIA,
>
>
> Keith
>
>
>

Microsoft did indeed hand out the following to MSDN Subscriber's beginning
with Windows Vista Beta 2 (and possibly Microsoft Tech Net Plus Subscriber's
as well): Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, and Windows
Vista Business Edition Product Keys, however they only work with the Beta 2
and RC1 Mile Stone Build's, and will not work with the Build 5728 Interim
Build. You need to use your MSDN, Microsoft Tech Net Plus, or CPP Program
Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Product Key with Build 5728.

"Will Schuitman" <willsch@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:A506D0EE-0B14-447A-B791-2C5BD5B79B0C@microsoft.com...
> The product key you have is only valid for Vista Ultimate if you installed
> Home Premium or Home Basic or one of the others, it will not let you
> activate it The vista DVD has all versions on it but you can only activate
> the version you have the product key for and MSFT has only given out keys
> for the Ultimate edition.
>
> You can check which version you have installed by typing "winver" in the
> run command
>
> "Keith" <kewradio@spam-newsguy.com> wrote in message
> news:eoY9$cD4GHA.3428@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Today I download RC1 and obtained a product key with the Windows Live Log
>> on and acount activation. When I installed Vista RC1 it did not prompt me
>> for a product key and installed. This was a fresh install onto a
>> computer. Now when I attempt to enter a product key Windows vista rejects
>> it, it already has a all numbers product key and I can not activate the
>> product. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem?
>>
>> TIA,
>>
>>
>> Keith
>>
>>
>>
>

> "Keith" <kewradio@spam-newsguy.com> wrote in message
> news:eoY9$cD4GHA.3428@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Today I download RC1 and obtained a product key with the Windows Live Log
>> on and account activation. When I installed Vista RC1 it did not prompt
>> me for a product key and installed. This was a fresh install onto a
>> computer. Now when I attempt to enter a product key Windows vista rejects
>> it, it already has a all numbers product key and I can not activate the
>> product. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem?
>>
>> TIA,
>>
>>
>> Keith
>>
>>
>>
>

"Will Schuitman" <willsch@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:A506D0EE-0B14-447A-B791-2C5BD5B79B0C@microsoft.com

> The product key you have is only valid for Vista Ultimate if you installed
> Home Premium or Home Basic or one of the others, it will not let you
> activate it The vista DVD has all versions on it but you can only activate
> the version you have the product key for and MSFT has only given out keys
> for the Ultimate edition.
>
> You can check which version you have installed by typing "winver" in the
> run command
>


I installed the home premium edition. Do I reinstall the OS or can I leave
it alone?



--
Best Regards,

Keith

P.S. I just tried out my MSDN Ultimate Edition Beta 2/Release Candidate 1
Product Key in Build 5728 and it works just fine, so Microsoft may be
planning to Release Build 5728 to MSDN Subscriber's as well (hopefully
sometime this Century).

"Kevin John Panzke" <kevpan815@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eDVylhE4GHA.5000@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Microsoft did indeed hand out the following to MSDN Subscriber's beginning
> with Windows Vista Beta 2 (and possibly Microsoft Tech Net Plus
> Subscriber's as well): Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home
> Premium, and Windows Vista Business Edition Product Keys, however they
> only work with the Beta 2 and RC1 Mile Stone Build's, and will not work
> with the Build 5728 Interim Build. You need to use your MSDN, Microsoft
> Tech Net Plus, or CPP Program Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Product Key
> with Build 5728.
>
> "Will Schuitman" <willsch@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
> news:A506D0EE-0B14-447A-B791-2C5BD5B79B0C@microsoft.com...
>> The product key you have is only valid for Vista Ultimate if you
>> installed Home Premium or Home Basic or one of the others, it will not
>> let you activate it The vista DVD has all versions on it but you can only
>> activate the version you have the product key for and MSFT has only given
>> out keys for the Ultimate edition.
>>
>> You can check which version you have installed by typing "winver" in the
>> run command
>>
>> "Keith" <kewradio@spam-newsguy.com> wrote in message
>> news:eoY9$cD4GHA.3428@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Today I download RC1 and obtained a product key with the Windows Live
>>> Log on and acount activation. When I installed Vista RC1 it did not
>>> prompt me for a product key and installed. This was a fresh install onto
>>> a computer. Now when I attempt to enter a product key Windows vista
>>> rejects it, it already has a all numbers product key and I can not
>>> activate the product. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem?
>>>
>>> TIA,
>>>
>>>
>>> Keith
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>

The technical beta keys for Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, and Business
work for 5728...

Robert Firth
http://www.winvistainfo.org


"Kevin John Panzke" <kevpan815@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:eDVylhE4GHA.5000@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Microsoft did indeed hand out the following to MSDN Subscriber's beginning
> with Windows Vista Beta 2 (and possibly Microsoft Tech Net Plus
> Subscriber's as well): Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home
> Premium, and Windows Vista Business Edition Product Keys, however they
> only work with the Beta 2 and RC1 Mile Stone Build's, and will not work
> with the Build 5728 Interim Build. You need to use your MSDN, Microsoft
> Tech Net Plus, or CPP Program Windows Vista Ultimate Edition Product Key
> with Build 5728.
>
> "Will Schuitman" <willsch@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
> news:A506D0EE-0B14-447A-B791-2C5BD5B79B0C@microsoft.com...
>> The product key you have is only valid for Vista Ultimate if you
>> installed Home Premium or Home Basic or one of the others, it will not
>> let you activate it The vista DVD has all versions on it but you can only
>> activate the version you have the product key for and MSFT has only given
>> out keys for the Ultimate edition.
>>
>> You can check which version you have installed by typing "winver" in the
>> run command
>>
>> "Keith" <kewradio@spam-newsguy.com> wrote in message
>> news:eoY9$cD4GHA.3428@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Today I download RC1 and obtained a product key with the Windows Live
>>> Log on and acount activation. When I installed Vista RC1 it did not
>>> prompt me for a product key and installed. This was a fresh install onto
>>> a computer. Now when I attempt to enter a product key Windows vista
>>> rejects it, it already has a all numbers product key and I can not
>>> activate the product. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem?
>>>
>>> TIA,
>>>
>>>
>>> Keith
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>

Keith;
If you want use beyond the activation period, you will need to reinstall
using the Product Key.
Your Ultimate key will not work with Home Premium.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Keith" <kewradio@spam-newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:FAAA1910-F3E9-44DF-A027-7D223CCDF5C4@microsoft.com...
> I installed the home premium edition. Do I reinstall the OS or can I leave
> it alone?
>
>
>
> --
> Best Regards,
>
> Keith