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So we have a laptop that came with Vista. For the third time now we have had to call up and get Windows authenticated. It happened twice at random and once when we reformatted. It won't work over the internet, we actually have to call them up so Microsoft can do something to it. We have 26 days left right now before it locks us out again.
So basically at random we get the you need to authenticate windows. No I can't switch this one to Linux, we need this for our zunes. Any ideas?
I've seen activation get triggered due to failing hardware such as memory or hard drive. Memtest86 is a free memory tester. Download the diagnostic program from your hard drive maker.
Does MS ever have anything to say about the license key? Maybe the manufacturer gave you an old or invalid one for some reason?
Actually it's highly unlikely that the product key on the sticker is the one that's actually in use by Vista, most big brand OEM's use an image type product key, it's the same key on many thousands of laptops.
Actually it's highly unlikely that the product key on the sticker is the one that's actually in use by Vista, most big brand OEM's use an image type product key, it's the same key on many thousands of laptops.
I don't have much experience with an OEM image. I always blow it away and install the OS with a VLK I have through MSDN.
I don't have much experience with an OEM image. I always blow it away and install the OS with a VLK I have through MSDN.
I use my action pack, same results though.
Take Dell for example, when you load the OS from their provided media, it does not ask for a product key, and is pre-activated after the installation. I don't recall the proper term for the type of key, but you can use that same installation CD to load on any number of Dell's, it will be pre-activated and will pass Microsoft's WGA testing.
I've seen activation get triggered due to failing hardware such as memory or hard drive. Memtest86 is a free memory tester. Download the diagnostic program from your hard drive maker.
I'm actually leaning toward this. Awhile ago the dogs were running around in the family room, one of them caught the power cord. The cord flew one way, the laptop flew another, and there was a mad wife in the middle. I ended up having to replace a small board that had the power connector connector on it and the end of the power cord itself. Ever since the battery life has been very poor, if it umplugs the battery might last ten minutes.
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