Cannot activate windows 7

Question

Cannot activate windows 7

I can't activate Windows 7, I get an error saying DNS name does not exist. Is something configured incorrectly somewhere?

PS: I need the answer within 13 days ;)

UPDATE: I had upgraded from my company's Windows Vista build, and when I connect to the company VPN and activate I get a different error:

The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.

The Application Event Log contains this (I took out the server name, it's one of the company servers):

The client has sent an activation request to the key management service machine. Info: 0xC004F042, 0x00000000, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com:1688, 7fbdc9b7-d654-49ed-80a7-81a34408f8dc, 2009/09/01 10:59, 0, 2, 17880, ae2ee509-1b34-41c0-acb7-6d4650168915, 25

windows-7

troubleshooting

windows-activation

asked on Super User Sep 1, 2009 by

Charlie • edited Sep 1, 2009 by

Charlie

7 Answers

Problem is in how Windows handle volume licenses.

You can resolve it from command line with:

slmgr /ipk AAAAA-BBBBB-CCCCC-DDDDD-EEEEE
slmgr /ato

Detailed description can be found at KB929826

answered on Super User Sep 1, 2009 by

Josip Medved

I had this problem too. I simply had to re-input the product key, so give this go.

There is further information on how to do this here if you need it.

answered on Super User Sep 1, 2009 by

Kez

I solved this problem in a much easier way. Based on some of the comments above, I just connected back to work using my VPN software and everything worked great. If the machine is not connected to the volume license DNS, it will not work.

answered on Super User Oct 30, 2010 by

skott

Sounds like your network settings are broken, or that the Windows activation is not using them correctly.

If you're in Windows now, then it's the latter. Try getting your modem to handle DNS rather than your system.

answered on Super User Sep 1, 2009 by

salmonmoose

If I were you I'd set the dns servers on your network adapter to be the opendns ones http://www.opendns.com/ they're far more reliable than most isps. To change them go into you network connections properties then double click on internet protocol v4 change to use these dns settings and fill in the numbers.

answered on Super User Sep 1, 2009 by

Col

double check your system date/time. I was banging my head off the wall until I realized that was the issue.

-john

answered on Super User Mar 15, 2010 by (unknown user)

if you want to activate now, choose the option "activate by telephone" and Windows should provide you both a pay/premium number and a toll-free/freephone number.

Personally, it is a bit slower but I prefer this method. It is quite fast.

DNS is what resolves host names (friendly .com or other TLD's) in to the computer IP address.

You are having problems finding out what the Microft Activation addresses are.

I am guessing you have general problems whilst browsing the internet.

If I was you post another question about your problems and I am sure someone will help you.

answered on Super User Sep 1, 2009 by

William Hilsum

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