Tag Archives: slmgr

Activation Error: Code 0x8007232b DNS Name does not exist

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KB ID 0000157 

Problem

Note: For a more modern version this post go here: Error: 0x8007232B DNS Name Does Not Exist

Essentially this happens because you are using “volume licensed media” to install the operating system, and the machine is looking for a server on your network that runs the KMS Service (Key Management Service). You need to have a KMS server if you are activating more than 25 machines. However most of us only have one or two to worry about, in that case you need to enter a MAK (Multiple Activation Key).

Note: If you are running a legal copy of Windows then getting a MAK key should be as easy as going to Microsoft eOpen or speaking to your software reseller.

 

Solution

Once you have your MAK Key

Option 1

1. Click Start > Control Panel > System > Windows Activation Section > Change Product Key.

2. Enter the new MAK Key then activate Windows.

Option 2

1. Start > Right Click “Command Prompt” > “Run as Administrator“.

2. Enter the following command slmgr –ipk ABCDE-12345-ABCDE-12345-ABCDE

3. Wait for the “successful” prompt.

4. re-run activation.

Where ABCDE-12345-ABCDE-12345-ABCDE is a valid MAK (Multiple Activation Key).

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

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Change Windows Product Key Error ‘Unacceptable Character’

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KB ID 0000812 

Problem

A very strange problem today? I was attempting to change the product key of a Windows 2008 R2 Server, I copied and pasted the code in, and this happened;

I assumed I’d done something stupid, or there was some formatting in the text I had copied (from One Note). So I typed it in manually, every time I tried to enter the letter ‘n’ this happened? And when I copy pasted the code in it had removed all the N’s and did it again.

Solution

1. Thankfully I’ve done a lot of deployments, so I know how to change the product key and then activate the machine form command line. Run the following command to change the key;

[box]
slmgr.vbs -ipk 12345-ABCDE-12345-ABCDE-12345 [/box]

2. You can then activate the machine with the following command;

[box] slmgr.vbs -ato[/box]

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Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 – Activation Error 0xC004F074

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KB ID 0000766

Problem

I jumped on a clients remote desktop services server today and saw;

However when I went to activate;

Windows couldn’t be activated
Error Code: 0xC004F074
Error Description:the Software Licensing Service reported that the product could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.

Solution

Out of the box this version of Windows has installed with a KMS Key, that’s fine if you are going to run KMS, here’s how to set it up. But if you want to activate with MAK key or a retail key then you need to manually change it.

1. Press Windows Key+R > cmd {enter} and execute the following command;

[box]
slmgr.vbs /ipk 12345-ABCDE-12345-ABCDE-12345[/box]

Where 12345-ABCDE-12345-ABCDE-12345 is your MAK or retail key

2. Now attempt to activate the machine again,

Note: You can also activate by running the following command;

[box] slmgr.vbs -ato[/box]

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

Windows 8 – Changing the Unlock Code and Activating

Windows – Changing the Unlock Code and Activating

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KB ID 0000667 

Problem

Some versions of Windows 8 (Windows 8 Pro for example) ask for the unlock code as soon as you install them, I installed Windows 8 Enterprise on my PC at home today, and I couldn’t even change my user photo, because Windows hadn’t activated. When I tried, this is what happened.

Solution

As I had not yet installed a Windows unlock code, it’s safe to assume it had it’s in built KMS code, so I would need to change it to my own Windows code.

1. Press Windows Key+X to bring up the Advanced Context Menu >Select ‘Command Prompt (Admin)’.

2. Run the following command (where 12345-ABCDE-12345-ABCDE-12345 is YOUR Windows code);

[box]slmgr.vbs -ipk 12345-ABCDE-12345-ABCDE-12345[/box]

3. Then to activate your copy of Windows run the following command;

[box]slmgr.vbs -ato[/box]

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

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KMS Activation – Error: 0xC004C008

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KB ID 0000637 

Problem

KMS had been running fine for months, when we started seeing the following errors.

When attempting to activate via slmgr

Error: 0xC004C008 The activation server determined that the specified product key could not be used.

When attempting to activate via Computer Properties.

Code: 0xC004C008

Description: The activation server determined that the specified product key could not be used.

Solution

You need to make a request to Microsoft to have your Windows activations either reset, or raised.

Send and email to kmsadd@microsoft.com

Give them the following information.

  1. Company name.
  2. Agreement number.
  3. Type of Licence program e.g. Open Value Subscription etc.
  4. Name
  5. Phone number.
  6. Email.
  7. Number of product activations required.
  8. Required date.
  9. Product Key: This will be the KMS key in use on your KMS Server.

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

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