Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft
Windows Genuine Advantage validation servers down
by Nik Fletcher Aug 25th 2007 at 6:17PM
Product activation is something that's been bugging computers users for years now, and whilst the inconvenience to users has been somewhat minor, it appears that the Doomsday-esque scenario of activations being impossible due to a technical fault seems to have struck. Of all the companies that it could have hit, BoingBoing is reporting that it has hit a rather large and dominant player in the software activation world: Microsoft. Redmond's own Windows Genuine Advantage systems apparently failed, causing any activation requests to fail, resulting in the (legitimate) copies of Windows being marked as counterfeit and reducing the feature set to users.If that weren't bad enough, the article also mentions that Microsoft is recommending people refrain from retrying activation until Tuesday the 28th of August. If you're unfortunate enough to get caught in this let us know in the comments.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AsktheAdmin said 8:17PM on 8-25-2007
So I just tried to install a LEGIT version of Vista and MS servers are pretty much telling me I am a pirater. Arrrrrr!
Http://www.askTheAdmin.com
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Cynthia Barnett (gramma, mom, and Cindy) said 8:53PM on 8-25-2007
Yet another reason to use FireFox amd OpenOffice, et.al. I tried registering the professional version of MS Office and Win XP and got shut out. Thanks for letting me know when to go back on and register....saved me a lot of time, aggravation and I wish money.... love your site. CB
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DaMan09 said 10:19PM on 8-25-2007
Funny, my brothers pirated copy of Vista that is pirated is running quite well.
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Chris said 1:24AM on 8-26-2007
I tried to download the vista patches...and it was telling my MSDN copy of vista couldn't be validated...contact customer service...and or get a new copy. Glad I'm not the only one seeing that.
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nizzy1115 said 1:35PM on 8-26-2007
all 3 of my vista (legal vista) computers are fine...
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Mark said 12:19AM on 8-27-2007
"all 3 of my vista (legal vista) computers are fine..."
This only affects you if you need to activate your copy of Windows or validate a download from MS. It does not mean everyone's legal copies suddenly stop working.
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dave said 10:43PM on 8-27-2007
this sucks. i need to reload a pc today. please keep us up to date on it so we know what is going on ..
thanx.
dave
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James said 12:20PM on 8-27-2007
Soo.... class action suit, "activation" ruled a violation of consumer-protection laws, entire industry stops hosing legitimate users?
Well, I can dream, can't I?
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iamhoff said 1:07PM on 8-27-2007
Actually tried downloading a Word template for Word 2007 (office prof 2007 legal running on Vista Home Premium legal). Got the "no validation key" message. It turns out that MS was trying to establish validation off of the Office Personal/Student trial copy that came with the computer. Quick uninstall and we're good to go.
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George said 10:40PM on 8-27-2007
I guess my computer will be a paper weight for the next few days - I can't reinstall until this gets fixed!
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