Activate Windows now? Message on PC

[Joan of Archives]

This is driving me mad! Every now & then I am getting a message in the tool bar along the bottom "Activate Windows Now?" with a little key symbol?

Does anyone know what this means? I am too scared to click it in case it locks something up on the system & I can't get back in!

It goes off eventually if I either close the box or just carry on browsing etc.

Yesterday my wallpaper disappeared suddenly from my desk top page so I don't know if that's anything to do with it.

Help please!

[WendyPusey]

Dave here...

You MUST activate windows. It's a licensing thing. If you don't it will either go into reduced functionality mode or not work at all.

Just click on it when it comes up and it will do it all automatically online.

[Joan of Archives]

Thanks Dave/Wendy will do!

[Britec]

But dont click it if your using a pirate copy of windows

[Joan of Archives]

Brian it is a genuine Vista Premium it came loaded on the PC. ;)

Dave are you still there? I tried doing that & it wasn't having it, it says it's an invalid key number I think it is usingthe ID number from the control panel.

Right this is what has happened so far :

A bubble appeared at the tool bar at the bottom of desktop saying
ACTIVATE WINDOWS NOW

Then it went so I found this by googling :
Activate Windows Now [solved] - vista-xp forums

So I right clicked the PC shortcut on the desktop like they say & clicked PROPERTIES & got up the system control panel. It says down the bottom :

YOU MUST ACTIVATE TODAY ACTIVATE WINDOWS NOW (highlighted link)

Under that is the ID number next to that is another link CHANGE PRODUCT KEY

The ID number is NOT the PC serial number off the back of the machine.

I clicked ACTIVATE NOW & then continue & it says the product key number is invalid even though I typed nothing in. Is it using the ID number do you think?

There are 3 choices
BUY A NEW KEY PRODUCT

TYPE IN A DIFFERENT PRODUCT KEY

CONTACT MEDION

What do I do next?

[Joan of Archives]

PS I rang Medion & they were next to useless He didn't seem to know what I was talking about

[Grimsqueaker]

Joan,

The majority (if not all) branded PC's have a code stored on the motherboard that checks against other details on your PC and, provided everything checks out, automatically activates your copy...

In some instances, these codes can either become corrupt or in the instance of having a motherboard replaced not present at all...

If you look on the casing of your pc you will see a licence key for Vista.. this is supplied to safeguard you against the automated method failing...

Just choose to type in a different key, and enter the key from the sticker into the appropriate boxes...

[Grimsqueaker]

But dont click it if your using a pirate copy of windows

I disagree Brian.. anyone using a Pirate copy should do the decent thing and obtain a legitimate key...

[Joan of Archives]

Grim I found this site & was trying to follow it :

Product Key Definition - What is a Product Key? - CD Key - Key Code

The xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx matches the amount of numbers & letters that are the product ID from the control panel, so if the PC is just using them why won't it work? I am not having to type that number in manually at all?

The serial number from the side of the tower is not in that format I don't think?

Why has it suddenly started doing this (yesterday) ???

[Grimsqueaker]

Joan,

The product key is not the same as the code shown in control panel....

Something has happened on your PC that has caused the preinstalled key to fail... hence you need to type in the backup key provided on the Vista sticker (COA) that is attached to your PC ( note: this is not the serial number for the PC)

[Joan of Archives]

Thanks Grim I am going to get OH to get the tower out later & get the number off the back for me then hopefully he can put that number in. I have no idea why it started doing it though as he is very good at doing all the Windows updates, scans, keeping all the anti virus up to date etc.

I'm going for a cup of tea & a lie down lol!

[dave pusey]

The Product ID listed in the control panel is NOT the same thing as the Product Key that is on the sticker.

What I've read is quite often the manufacturers have used their pre-install key to get it working initially, but that won't be allowed to activate Windows.

What you need to do, is to click the "Change product key" button and enter the Product Key that is on the sticker on the tower.



It will be in a format like this...

XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX (5 groups of 5 alphanumerical characters)

It should then activate using that newly entered Product Key.

If that still doesnt work, it should give the FREE UK telephone number for Micosoft's Activation helpline. Give them a call and they can usually sort it out. I've had to call them a few times for customers' machines and had not problems with their service.

[Grimsqueaker]

Its all down to SLP2.0 Dave... and its a pain tbh.. can be knocked out by something as simple as a BIOS update... :(

[Joan of Archives]

Its all down to SLP2.0 Dave... and its a pain tbh.. can be knocked out by something as simple as a BIOS update...

Oer um yes Grim

Thanks Dave, when I rang Medion they were useless tbh he mentioned ringing back if I can't do it & then they will go through a restart to my system

No way hosea I said, I don't want all my stuff wiping on my PC :(

Total waste of time they are!

[Britec]

Grim I did not say use pirate copy, I said don't click on it if your using a pirate copy

[Britec]

Joan is the Product Key that is installed on the PC the same as the Product Key on the sticker on the computer case?

[Joan of Archives]

I know what you meant Brian

I don't know, at the moment until OH gets in I have no intention of meddling with his wires :D

Will come back & let you know later;)

[dave pusey]

That's my point, it most likely wont be, and hence why she needs to do the Change Product Key procedure i posted earlier.

[Britec]

Well if it is the same key just activate over phone and use toll free number it is automated call if the activation fails to activate it will go onto a live chat with a microsoft operator, just explain to them whats happened and they will activate it for you.

[Joan of Archives]

I've done it!! :D

Needed a magnifying glass as the numbers were so small & am now covered in dust :(

Found 2 cds that had dropped down the back as well lol!

Thanks everyone for your help.