Vista OEM install - black screen of death?

[jackc]

Here's what happened, I'm trying to install Vista OEM. When I first tried it, it told me the product key was invalid, I had checked the 'automatically activate when online'. There was no option to continue with installation.

I was going to try again without checking that option, as I've read that sometimes in that case phone activation might work. But before even getting to that point now I'm getting a blank screen with a blinking cursor right after I hit 'start installation'.

Any idea what might be going on there? Did Microsoft somehow fry the disc by remote control?

 

[steveza]

You should be able to complete the install without putting in a license key - once it's up and running you can put the key in and activate.

 

[stainlessliquid]

With XP you need a working serial before it will install anything. Unchecking that option wont let you continue. Vista does not require a working serial, you can just leave it blank and use Vista for 30days as a full working trial (its actually 90 days since you can reset it 3 times).

If its not booting into the installation screen anymore you probably have to format again.

 

[vistafanboi]

Please properly educate yourself about Vista licensing...

With XP you need a working serial before it will install anything. Unchecking that option wont let you continue. Vista does not require a working serial, you can just leave it blank and use Vista for 30days as a full working trial (its actually 90 days since you can reset it 3 times).

If its not booting into the installation screen anymore you probably have to format again.

XP w/SP3 (like Vista) no longer requires the entry of a CD key immediately during installation. NOTE that this key is NOT a "serial number" of ANY kind. It is the INSTALLATION Key. The Microsoft License is NOT designated by a SINGLE thing like a serial number: The Microsoft License consists of (1) The Installation key distributed with each copy of Windows. (2) The ORIGINAL installation Media. (3) The Product ID created by hashing the CD key with numbers representing installed hardware. One without the others does NOT make up a valid Windows license. Also, an unactivated installation of Windows is NOT a valid license beyond the initial 30-day post-install shake out period."

Additionally, the "reset" backdoor on "trial" versions of Vista you refer to has been REMOVED in Vista Service Pack 1. We are now only given the intial 30-day post-installation shake-out period. This was REMOVED because too many were ABUSING Microsoft's kindness in order to steal the software.

Also, the 30day grace periods for Vista or XP are NOT "trial periods." They are "post-installation shake-out periods". To continue using the products beyond that initial 30-day grace period, you MUST enter a valid License key and activate the OS. Otherwise, you MUST uninstall it. There is no such "trial period" for full-version consumer software from Microsoft.

Donald L McDaniel

 

[steveza]

There is no such "trial period." for full-version consumer software from Microsoft.

You can get full version trails if you have a Technet subscription.

 

[vistafanboi]

Here's what happened, I'm trying to install Vista OEM. When I first tried it, it told me the product key was invalid, I had checked the 'automatically activate when online'. There was no option to continue with installation.

I was going to try again without checking that option, as I've read that sometimes in that case phone activation might work. But before even getting to that point now I'm getting a blank screen with a blinking cursor right after I hit 'start installation'.

Any idea what might be going on there? Did Microsoft somehow fry the disc by remote control?

1) Ask yourself this question: Did you use BootCamp to create the Windows partition on your Mac? If not, I do advise you to use BootCamp and create an NTFS partition to install Vista on. Also, put the installation media in the Drive when BootCamp asks for it. It is NOT possible to create an NTFS volume smaller than 32 GB.

2) MAKE SURE you enter the CORRECT CD key. Especially check for for "O" instead of "0", or "I" instead of "1", or "8" instead of "B".

3) Unless you actually purchased this software from a legitimate Microsoft reseller, your chances of getting a legitimate license are very poor, indeed. Especially, if you live anywhere within the former Soviet Union, China (both Nationalist as well as Communist), or the Third-world.

4) STAY AWAY from purchases of Microsoft software which is advertised as "Used", since many times, the owner will KEEP the software on his machine, which will make it IMPOSSIBLE to activate your software, since it will already be activated on HIS machine,, whether he gives you the CD key or not.

5) Using online auction services to purchase Microsoft software is VERY DANGEROUS!! STAY AWAY FROM THEM ALL!!! ESPECIALLY E-Bay!!!

6)Remember the old saw: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is [too good to be true]." I guarantee you that $50 bucks for Vista Ultimate IS WAY too good to be true. DON'T PURCHASE these pieces of trash!! They are not worth the plastic they were produced on. The MSRP for Vista ULtimate is $399, with street prices more in the $199 and up range. IT is not abnormal to see Vista Ultimate for around $289 for a Microsoft Vista System Builder Kit, or as low as $159 for Vista Home Premium (OEM).

7) The lower you pay, the greater the chances you will have of not having a legitimate license.

8) Microsoft would never intentionally fry your installation media, friend. To even suggest it is nigh-on to being slanderous. How would they do it, anyway, since the DVDs they are installed on are ALL READ-ONLY!!

Additionally, to think that Microsoft does such things is insane, and to publish your paranoid thoughts is just an indication that your post is very representative of the FUD many Mac users love to pass around the Web.

What you are doing, in effect, is publishing your opinion that Microsoft INTENTIONALLY distributes MALWARE to the unsuspecting Public. Here in the States, such distribution is ILLEGAL, and Microsoft is watched VERY CLOSELY by the Federal government for ANY such crimes. They have YET to find that Microsoft has violated the law in this respect. It is simply NOT in their best interest to do such things.

Make sure your Installation media has everything Microsoft says is required for legitimate installation Media.

Also, when obtaining Microsoft Vista OEM software, make sure you purchase a "System Builder Kit", manufactured by MICROSOFT, exclusively, rather than the so-called "Full OEM (or DSP OEM)" versions, which are NOT manufactured by Microsoft, and therefore, can have ANYTHING on them their manufacturers want.

That way, you can be sure of getting a legitimate license.

Donald L McDaniel

You can get full version trails if you have a Technet subscription.

If one is such a subscriber, such full versions are NOT "trials", they are LICENSED full versions!!!

Donald L McDaniel

 

[steveza]

You are the one posting FUD:

Microsoft software licensed for evaluation purposes. Evaluate full-version commercial products without time limits or feature limits, including Microsoft operating systems, servers, and Office System software. With full-version software, you can make informed decisions about new technologies and deployments at your own pace.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/bb892759.aspx

Get your facts straight, take a deep breath, then post

 

[jackc]

Thanks for the post, I thought it was clear I was kidding about frying the DVD, I didn't mean to slander Microsoft, take it easy

I did buy what was supposedly a new system builder disk from eBay for a reasonable price after reading that many people have had success doing that. It doesn't seem to have worked out.

1) Ask yourself this question: Did you use BootCamp to create the Windows partition on your Mac? If not, I do advise you to use BootCamp and create an NTFS partition to install Vista on. Also, put the installation media in the Drive when BootCamp asks for it. It is NOT possible to create an NTFS volume smaller than 32 GB.

2) MAKE SURE you enter the CORRECT CD key. Especially check for for "O" instead of "0", or "I" instead of "1", or "8" instead of "B".

3) Unless you actually purchased this software from a legitimate Microsoft reseller, your chances of getting a legitimate license are very poor, indeed. Especially, if you live anywhere within the former Soviet Union, China (both Nationalist as well as Communist), or the Third-world.

4) STAY AWAY from purchases of Microsoft software which is advertised as "Used", since many times, the owner will KEEP the software on his machine, which will make it IMPOSSIBLE to activate your software, since it will already be activated on HIS machine,, whether he gives you the CD key or not.

5) Using online auction services to purchase Microsoft software is VERY DANGEROUS!! STAY AWAY FROM THEM ALL!!! ESPECIALLY E-Bay!!!

6)Remember the old saw: "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is [too good to be true]." I guarantee you that $50 bucks for Vista Ultimate IS WAY too good to be true. DON'T PURCHASE these pieces of trash!! They are not worth the plastic they were produced on. The MSRP for Vista ULtimate is $399, with street prices more in the $199 and up range. IT is not abnormal to see Vista Ultimate for around $289 for a Microsoft Vista System Builder Kit, or as low as $159 for Vista Home Premium (OEM).

7) The lower you pay, the greater the chances you will have of not having a legitimate license.

8) Microsoft would never intentionally fry your installation media, friend. To even suggest it is nigh-on to being slanderous. How would they do it, anyway, since the DVDs they are installed on are ALL READ-ONLY!!

Additionally, to think that Microsoft does such things is insane, and to publish your paranoid thoughts is just an indication that your post is very representative of the FUD many Mac users love to pass around the Web.

What you are doing, in effect, is publishing your opinion that Microsoft INTENTIONALLY distributes MALWARE to the unsuspecting Public. Here in the States, such distribution is ILLEGAL, and Microsoft is watched VERY CLOSELY by the Federal government for ANY such crimes. They have YET to find that Microsoft has violated the law in this respect. It is simply NOT in their best interest to do such things.

Make sure your Installation media has everything Microsoft says is required for legitimate installation Media.

Also, when obtaining Microsoft Vista OEM software, make sure you purchase a "System Builder Kit", manufactured by MICROSOFT, exclusively, rather than the so-called "Full OEM (or DSP OEM)" versions, which are NOT manufactured by Microsoft, and therefore, can have ANYTHING on them their manufacturers want.

That way, you can be sure of getting a legitimate license.

Donald L McDaniel

 

[stainlessliquid]

Additionally, the "reset" backdoor on "trial" versions of Vista you refer to has been REMOVED in Vista Service Pack 1.

Thats wrong, I have Vista SP1 and it works fine. I have a LEGAL non-oem copy of Vista Business, but because I have a new computer it no longer activates over the internet and requires me to call them, the automated system does not work and it requires me to speak with someone during their ridiculous phone hours in the morning. Im not jumping through anymore hoops and have just been doing the extra 90 day trial and reinstall after that period since I like to reinstall frequently to keep things fresh anyways.

And yes it is a trial, it says so (well it says evaluation, which is just a longer word for trial). I dont know where you got this "shake-out" term from.

 

[Siron]

On a similar note. I purchased Vista Business 32 bit from ZipZoomFly.com but later decided I wanted to install the 64 bit version. I haven't installed it but have opened the package so I can't send it back. If I can get a "trial' version of Vista Business 64 bit will my Vista Business 32 bit product key work to activate it?
Alan

 

[stainlessliquid]

yes, the 64bit versions use the same keys as the 32 bit versions. MS will send you a "free" 64bit disc if you buy any 32bit copy too, but you have to pay $10 shipping.

 

[Siron]

yes, the 64bit versions use the same keys as the 32 bit versions. MS will send you a "free" 64bit disc if you buy any 32bit copy too, but you have to pay $10 shipping.

Unfortunately I have an OEM copy and MS will not sell you a 64 bit disk.
Alan

Anyone care to take the 32 bit off my hands - for a nominal fee