Missing Product Key

Did you perform a Windows Anytime Upgrade, or is the disk simply labeled
with the words "Includes Window Anytime Upgrade."

If you performed an install, the Product Key Question is the second prompt
after you select a language. (Not at the end.)
Did you attempt to install the same product the product key is licensed for?
(You can't install Ultimate with a Home Basic key.)
Limited functionality is a process based on continuing to use Windows beyond
the required activation time limit without activating Windows.
If you performed a Windows Anytime Upgrade, you are NEVER asked for the
product key because it is part of the download license key used to make the
installation.
What happened with the phone activation?

Your story is a bit conflicting and confusing.
Your product, based on the write up is OEM and most likely should have been
activated by the vendor.
I recommend you contact the vendor where you purchased the notebook.


"Confusedaboutproductkeys"
<Confusedaboutproductkeys@discussions.microsoft.co m> wrote in message
news:F3ECE19F-FEC7-4D4E-9734-DFB165B65CEB@microsoft.com...

>I recently purchased a toshiba notebook which came with a CD for Windows
> Anytime Upgrade for Windows Vista 32 bit. I decided to run the disk and
> before the installation was just about done, I was prompted to enter a
> valid
> product key. After unsucessfully looking for quite some time through the
> booklet in which the cd came in for the product key (as was recommended by
> the prompt), I decided to check the underside of my laptop. I found a 25
> digit product key and entered that in to be validated. Unfortunately,
> that
> was not the correct product key number. I was then given the option to
> validate Vista over the telephone, access my computer with limited
> functions,
> or type in a different product key. I have repeatedly tried to enter any
> code but none of them seem to work. Please tell me, do I need to purchase
> a
> product key online or am I looking in the wrong areas/lost the slip that
> contains my product key. I would appreciate any help! Thanks!

Hi,

The key on the sticker was for the installed OS (likely XP?). For Vista, a
key should have been in the accompanying upgrade documentation. If you've
lost this, contact Toshiba about a replacement.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Confusedaboutproductkeys"
<Confusedaboutproductkeys@discussions.microsoft.co m> wrote in message
news:F3ECE19F-FEC7-4D4E-9734-DFB165B65CEB@microsoft.com...

>I recently purchased a toshiba notebook which came with a CD for Windows
> Anytime Upgrade for Windows Vista 32 bit. I decided to run the disk and
> before the installation was just about done, I was prompted to enter a
> valid
> product key. After unsucessfully looking for quite some time through the
> booklet in which the cd came in for the product key (as was recommended by
> the prompt), I decided to check the underside of my laptop. I found a 25
> digit product key and entered that in to be validated. Unfortunately,
> that
> was not the correct product key number. I was then given the option to
> validate Vista over the telephone, access my computer with limited
> functions,
> or type in a different product key. I have repeatedly tried to enter any
> code but none of them seem to work. Please tell me, do I need to purchase
> a
> product key online or am I looking in the wrong areas/lost the slip that
> contains my product key. I would appreciate any help! Thanks!

The key on the belly of the laptop is for Windows Vista Home Premium. I have
been unable to contact Microsoft via phone since I am out of the country for
an extended period of time and have no reliable way to operate both the
laptop and phone. The CD case, which came in the Toshiba Satellite
A215-S4747 box, simply says 'Upgrade Your Windows Vista Experience' in the
center. In the bottom right, it says Windows Anytime Upgrade in smaller
font. I assumed that if this CD came with the laptop, I would not need to
spend another $150-$250 on a Product Key. I am awaiting responses from the
vendor (Office Depot) and Toshiba. Had I known that I would have to spend
additional money on this product key, I defintely would not have bothered to
run it on my computer. Are there any other options for me? Thanks for the
previous (and hopefully further) input.

"Rick Rogers" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> The key on the sticker was for the installed OS (likely XP?). For Vista, a
> key should have been in the accompanying upgrade documentation. If you've
> lost this, contact Toshiba about a replacement.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>
> "Confusedaboutproductkeys"
> <Confusedaboutproductkeys@discussions.microsoft.co m> wrote in message
> news:F3ECE19F-FEC7-4D4E-9734-DFB165B65CEB@microsoft.com...

> >I recently purchased a toshiba notebook which came with a CD for Windows
> > Anytime Upgrade for Windows Vista 32 bit. I decided to run the disk and
> > before the installation was just about done, I was prompted to enter a
> > valid
> > product key. After unsucessfully looking for quite some time through the
> > booklet in which the cd came in for the product key (as was recommended by
> > the prompt), I decided to check the underside of my laptop. I found a 25
> > digit product key and entered that in to be validated. Unfortunately,
> > that
> > was not the correct product key number. I was then given the option to
> > validate Vista over the telephone, access my computer with limited
> > functions,
> > or type in a different product key. I have repeatedly tried to enter any
> > code but none of them seem to work. Please tell me, do I need to purchase
> > a
> > product key online or am I looking in the wrong areas/lost the slip that
> > contains my product key. I would appreciate any help! Thanks!

>
>

This disk would allow you to re-install Vista Home Premium if you ever
needed to re-install. It is most likely your "Backup copy."

Should you decide to upgrade to Business or Ultimate, you would need to buy
an upgrade license and then you would use the same disk to perform the
upgrade by entering the purchased upgrade item when asked, or use Windows
Anytime Upgrade.

The limited functionality problem is probably a result of installing a
version you do not have a license for. You may need to re-install Vista Home
Premium and use the Product Key on the belly of your laptop to retore full
functionality. Then, activate.


"Confusedaboutproductkeys"
<Confusedaboutproductkeys@discussions.microsoft.co m> wrote in message
news:8E17595F-9289-4A38-9A52-B79A7D3350DB@microsoft.com...

> The key on the belly of the laptop is for Windows Vista Home Premium. I

have

> been unable to contact Microsoft via phone since I am out of the country

for

> an extended period of time and have no reliable way to operate both the
> laptop and phone. The CD case, which came in the Toshiba Satellite
> A215-S4747 box, simply says 'Upgrade Your Windows Vista Experience' in the
> center. In the bottom right, it says Windows Anytime Upgrade in smaller
> font. I assumed that if this CD came with the laptop, I would not need to
> spend another $150-$250 on a Product Key. I am awaiting responses from

the

> vendor (Office Depot) and Toshiba. Had I known that I would have to spend
> additional money on this product key, I defintely would not have bothered

to

> run it on my computer. Are there any other options for me? Thanks for

the

> previous (and hopefully further) input.
>
> "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>

> > Hi,
> >
> > The key on the sticker was for the installed OS (likely XP?). For Vista,

a

> > key should have been in the accompanying upgrade documentation. If

you've

> > lost this, contact Toshiba about a replacement.
> >
> > --
> > Best of Luck,
> >
> > Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> > http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> > Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> > My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
> >
> > "Confusedaboutproductkeys"
> > <Confusedaboutproductkeys@discussions.microsoft.co m> wrote in message
> > news:F3ECE19F-FEC7-4D4E-9734-DFB165B65CEB@microsoft.com...

> > >I recently purchased a toshiba notebook which came with a CD for

Windows

> > > Anytime Upgrade for Windows Vista 32 bit. I decided to run the disk

and

> > > before the installation was just about done, I was prompted to enter a
> > > valid
> > > product key. After unsucessfully looking for quite some time through

the

> > > booklet in which the cd came in for the product key (as was

recommended by

> > > the prompt), I decided to check the underside of my laptop. I found a

25

> > > digit product key and entered that in to be validated. Unfortunately,
> > > that
> > > was not the correct product key number. I was then given the option

to

> > > validate Vista over the telephone, access my computer with limited
> > > functions,
> > > or type in a different product key. I have repeatedly tried to enter

any

> > > code but none of them seem to work. Please tell me, do I need to

purchase

> > > a
> > > product key online or am I looking in the wrong areas/lost the slip

that

> > > contains my product key. I would appreciate any help! Thanks!

> >
> >

Backup your important files, then read the User's Guide
that came with your PC to learn how to perform a
"Full System Recovery" in order to return to to the
Vista operating system that came preinstalled from the
factory.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

--------------------------------------------------------------------

"Confusedaboutproductkeys" wrote:

The key on the belly of the laptop is for Windows Vista Home Premium. I
have
been unable to contact Microsoft via phone since I am out of the country for
an extended period of time and have no reliable way to operate both the
laptop and phone. The CD case, which came in the Toshiba Satellite
A215-S4747 box, simply says 'Upgrade Your Windows Vista Experience' in the
center. In the bottom right, it says Windows Anytime Upgrade in smaller
font. I assumed that if this CD came with the laptop, I would not need to
spend another $150-$250 on a Product Key. I am awaiting responses from the
vendor (Office Depot) and Toshiba. Had I known that I would have to spend
additional money on this product key, I defintely would not have bothered to
run it on my computer. Are there any other options for me? Thanks for the
previous (and hopefully further) input.

"Confusedaboutproductkeys"
<Confusedaboutproductkeys@discussions.microsoft.co m> wrote in message
news:8E17595F-9289-4A38-9A52-B79A7D3350DB@microsoft.com...

> The key on the belly of the laptop is for Windows Vista Home Premium. I
> have
> been unable to contact Microsoft via phone since I am out of the country
> for
> an extended period of time and have no reliable way to operate both the
> laptop and phone. The CD case, which came in the Toshiba Satellite
> A215-S4747 box, simply says 'Upgrade Your Windows Vista Experience' in the
> center. In the bottom right, it says Windows Anytime Upgrade in smaller
> font. I assumed that if this CD came with the laptop, I would not need to
> spend another $150-$250 on a Product Key. I am awaiting responses from
> the
> vendor (Office Depot) and Toshiba. Had I known that I would have to spend
> additional money on this product key, I defintely would not have bothered
> to
> run it on my computer. Are there any other options for me? Thanks for
> the
> previous (and hopefully further) input.
>
> "Rick Rogers" wrote:
>

>> Hi,
>>
>> The key on the sticker was for the installed OS (likely XP?). For Vista,
>> a
>> key should have been in the accompanying upgrade documentation. If you've
>> lost this, contact Toshiba about a replacement.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>> My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com
>>
>> "Confusedaboutproductkeys"
>> <Confusedaboutproductkeys@discussions.microsoft.co m> wrote in message
>> news:F3ECE19F-FEC7-4D4E-9734-DFB165B65CEB@microsoft.com...

>> >I recently purchased a toshiba notebook which came with a CD for Windows
>> > Anytime Upgrade for Windows Vista 32 bit. I decided to run the disk
>> > and
>> > before the installation was just about done, I was prompted to enter a
>> > valid
>> > product key. After unsucessfully looking for quite some time through
>> > the
>> > booklet in which the cd came in for the product key (as was recommended
>> > by
>> > the prompt), I decided to check the underside of my laptop. I found a
>> > 25
>> > digit product key and entered that in to be validated. Unfortunately,
>> > that
>> > was not the correct product key number. I was then given the option to
>> > validate Vista over the telephone, access my computer with limited
>> > functions,
>> > or type in a different product key. I have repeatedly tried to enter
>> > any
>> > code but none of them seem to work. Please tell me, do I need to
>> > purchase
>> > a
>> > product key online or am I looking in the wrong areas/lost the slip
>> > that
>> > contains my product key. I would appreciate any help! Thanks!

>>
>>

What part of "upgrade" do you find confusing?

And, during the upgrade process, when it explained that you would have to
purchase and have available a
new product key for the version you were upgrading to, what part of that did
you not understand?

You paid for Windows Vista Home Premium. What makes you feel that you are
entitled to a free upgrade?

The response you will get from Office Max and from Toshiba is the same that
you are getting here...you are
expected to be able to understand that the upgrade is not free. You will not
win this battle. It is made
almost painfully evident that there is a fee involved, but somehow you
managed to ignore it.

Your options? If the original restore partition is undisturbed, you can
restore the computer to the state it was
when you purchased it. If the restore partition has been removed/over
written, then you can contact Toshiba
and purchase a restore CD set.

Honu

"Hertz_Donut" <somewhere@outhere.net> wrote in message
news:UpWdnSRoAPG1C3bbnZ2dnUVZ_judnZ2d@hawaiiantel. net...

> "Confusedaboutproductkeys"
> <Confusedaboutproductkeys@discussions.microsoft.co m> wrote in message
> news:8E17595F-9289-4A38-9A52-B79A7D3350DB@microsoft.com...

>> The CD case, which came in the Toshiba Satellite
>> A215-S4747 box, simply says 'Upgrade Your Windows Vista Experience' in
>> the
>> center. In the bottom right, it says Windows Anytime Upgrade in smaller
>> font.

> What part of "upgrade" do you find confusing?

What part of the CD labeling said the OP had to connect to the internet or
purchase anything? To me, "Anytime Upgrade" means upgrade any time,
anywhere, no strings or wires or radio waves attached. But maybe that was
just the big print and somewhere on the CD in near-invisible font are the
legalese weasel words that take away everything that the big words give :-(

-Paul Randall

Confusedaboutproductkeys,

I hope this isn't too late. I am searching the web to see if I can
find a better deal on the restore disk for a Toshiba notebook with the
exact same operating system as what was originally on your notebook. I
purchased mine without a recovery disk, and no OS was installed. I'm
pretty sure I'll just have to order one from Toshiba.

Anyway, I thought I'd post on here just in case you are still having
problems, or are confused about anything.

Based upon your description of what you have in your hands, the seller
of that product apparently thought the upgrade download or CD from
Microsoft would work the same as the OEM Windows CD/DVD for your
laptop. That is not correct.

Microsoft assigns different Product IDs to the OEM versions of Windows
than to the Retail versions - the CD as you described it sounded as
possibly a retail version, and if it was downloaded from Microsoft and
burned to a disk, then it is definitely a Retail version.

The easiest/quickest way to resolve your issue would be to purchase the
restore CD/DVD from Toshiba - if you call their support number, they'll
get it out to you quickly - I have already inquired into this for my
particular situation.

The only other option (aside from spending money on buying a new
copy/license) to have Windows Vista installed is to find someone who
has the same model of laptop as you - or possibly one really close, and
see if you can borrow their restore disk. Then, if it installs a
different Serial/Product ID, you can just change that to match your
current license. But really, the easiest is to just buy the Restore
disk from Toshiba. That or just move to Linux.


--
kjv1611
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