Vista/Fusion/BootCamp/Activation - VENT

[MacDawg]

Ok, let me vent a moment...

I purchased Vista Home Premium
I installed it under BootCamp
I ran it also under VMFusion from the BootCamp partition

I activated it with no problem in Fusion
Now it wants to be activated under BootCamp as well
However, when I attempt, it says the number is already in use

Other users here have indicated they simply called MS and explained and were given an additional Activation Key to use since it still only on one computer.

I have called repeatedly
The activation support line hung up on me 3 times
The Customer Service person on my 4th call said it was a Boot Camp or Fusion problem and MS didn't support them at all, in other words TS

I tried to send an email through their support center - it gave an error
I tried to initiate a chat through their support center - same error
I tired to do both under Windows using Explorer - same error

I am livid right now, and I if I could just get my money back for Vista and Office I would do it in a heartbeat.

Thanks for listening and any constructive suggestions are welcome.

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[Neil321]

Try this,i say this because you dont mention anything about tools


1 Authorise windows in bootcamp
2 Install fusion
3 Install tools
4 Authorise windows again

[aaronw1986]

Just use the automated line and say you upgraded hardware. Then follow the procedure of above post.

[MacDawg]

With all of the people out there using BootCamp and Fusion, I can't be the only one that is facing this issue. It is requiring a second activation key. How is everyone else getting a second key?

It is activated and working fine under Fusion, but it will run out in 23 days under BootCamp.

And as far as the automated line, both the automated line and the representative keep telling me to give them the first 6 digits of the activation number

i have 2 numbers:
A product activation key (5 letters in the first group)
A product ID number (5 numbers in the first group)
They say there are 9 groups of numbers

What number is this and where do I get it??



I have never been more frustrated with MS than I am now.

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[MacDawg]

OK, I finally got through to the right person at MS
They activated me in BootCamp

Is that enough?

I seem to remember reading somewhere that I now have to reactivate in Fusion again and install Tools? Is that so?

I don't want to screw this up, so any help would be appreciated.

I activated in Fusion first (bad move)
Now I have activated BootCamp

Is there another step??

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[Phil A.]

OK, I finally got through to the right person at MS
They activated me in BootCamp

Is that enough?

I seem to remember reading somewhere that I now have to reactivate in Fusion again and install Tools? Is that so?

I don't want to screw this up, so any help would be appreciated.

I activated in Fusion first (bad move)
Now I have activated BootCamp

Is there another step??

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

The order you should have done things is as follows:
Install Windows under Boot Camp
Boot Windows under Boot Camp
Activate Windows under Boot Camp
Boot Boot Camp volume under Fusion
Install VMware Tools
Reboot the VM
Activate Windows under Fusion

I suspect activating under fusion first has been the root of all your woes, and you may well have to activate yet again after you've installed the VMWare tools

[DaveF]

My WinXP Home setup required the two authorizations. I first installed Bootcamp and authorized Windows. Then I installed Parallels, attempted to authorize Windows and received the notice to call MS and jump through the hoops. I called the automated line and, through menu options, said that this was a major system upgrade, but I did not change the motherboard. It gave me the super-long auth number, which I typed into Windows / Parallels, and all has been well since.

Partly this is because I purchased an OEM copy. I believe a normal copy doesn't get hung-up on this matter.

Regardless, the key is to go through the automated system, never indicate you're using it for a virtualization, and that this is do to a system change and reinstall effort. (which, frankly, it is in practice)

[MacDawg]

The order you should have done things is as follows:
Install Windows under Boot Camp
Boot Windows under Boot Camp
Activate Windows under Boot Camp
Boot Boot Camp volume under Fusion
Install VMware Tools
Reboot the VM
Activate Windows under Fusion

I suspect activating under fusion first has been the root of all your woes, and you may well have to activate yet again after you've installed the VMWare tools

Yes, in hindsight that would be correct :)
But I had no clue that this was the proper order, even though I had read up on it somewhat (I thought).

The individual I talked to last at MS knew exactly what I was talking about and was very kind and helpful. The others, well, not a fan of theirs.

Hopefully all is well now.

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[NewbieUS]

I read this thread and just want to confirm how to proceed. I'm using Fusion and an OEM version of Windows Vista Premium. So far, I have not installed anything on either the Boot Camp or Fusion sides. I'm running Leopard on a Macbook. Are the instructions below (kindly posted by Phil A.) still the way to proceed under the current (1.1.1) version of Fusion and using an OEM version of Vista Premium?

1. Install Windows under Boot Camp
2. Boot Windows under Boot Camp
3. Activate Windows under Boot Camp
4. Boot Boot Camp volume under Fusion
5. Install VMware Tools
6. Reboot the VM
7. Activate Windows under Fusion

I'm particularly wondering about the order of Step 4 and Step 5. So I boot the Boot Camp volume under Fusion first, then I install VMware Tools? And then I have to reboot the VM (Step 6) before trying activation?

I haven't opened up my OEM version's wrapping paper. So I'm wondering if it's better to sell the OEM on eBay (while it's still wrapped) and pay extra for the retail version. What do you think: is OEM reliable through the 7-step program above?

Thanks very much!

[Neil321]

I read this thread and just want to confirm how to proceed. I'm using Fusion and an OEM version of Windows Vista Premium. So far, I have not installed anything on either the Boot Camp or Fusion sides. I'm running Leopard on a Macbook. Are the instructions below (kindly posted by Phil A.) still the way to proceed under the current (1.1.1) version of Fusion and using an OEM version of Vista Premium?

1. Install Windows under Boot Camp
2. Boot Windows under Boot Camp
3. Activate Windows under Boot Camp
4. Boot Boot Camp volume under Fusion
5. Install VMware Tools
6. Reboot the VM
7. Activate Windows under Fusion

I'm particularly wondering about the order of Step 4 and Step 5. So I boot the Boot Camp volume under Fusion first, then I install VMware Tools? And then I have to reboot the VM (Step 6) before trying activation?

I haven't opened up my OEM version's wrapping paper. So I'm wondering if it's better to sell the OEM on eBay (while it's still wrapped) and pay extra for the retail version. What do you think: is OEM reliable through the 7-step program above?

Thanks very much!

Yes the order phil A and i previous to him posted are correct,you mention steps 4,5 & 6 this is also correct

It makes no difference if the disk is OEM or retail as the only difference is packaging ( plus the OEM is meant
for developers building machines from the ground up ) If you still want to get shot of your OEM Vista disk ditch it and get XP

[NewbieUS]

Thanks very much for your advice, neil321. Actually, the reason I asked about OEM vs. retail was that I was worried about activating under Boot Camp as well as Fusion (using the Boot Camp partition). I thought that Microsoft might ask me to reactivate and then be uncooperative when I call with an OEM instead of retail license.

DaveF's take (within this thread) on activation for OEM was as follows: "Partly this is because I purchased an OEM copy. I believe a normal copy doesn't get hung-up on this matter." But he was using an OEM of XP rather than Vista. I don't know if Vista OEM gives greater heartburn in regard to activation.

The reason that I chose Vista over XP -- notwithstanding the major resource hit of using Vista -- was that I didn't want to get to a point over time where a given program would require Vista (and I didn't have it). I just lived 6 years with Windows 2000 instead of XP, and ultimately ran into a wall with a couple of programs as well as a video service (NetFlix) that required digital rights management (which Windows 2000 does not have). I upgraded my Macbook to 4 GB of RAM just to be safe for Vista in Fusion. I'm hoping that it will be enough to mitigate the resource hit.

But it's that worry about product activation under Boot Camp and Fusion that is nagging at me as I prepare to install Vista OEM and Fusion tonight ....

Do you know anyone running Windows Vista Premium in Boot Camp and Fusion, using the OEM of Vista Premium, without any activation problems?

Thanks.

[Neil321]

Thanks very much for your advice, neil321. Actually, the reason I asked about OEM vs. retail was that I was worried about activating under Boot Camp as well as Fusion (using the Boot Camp partition). I thought that Microsoft might ask me to reactivate and then be uncooperative when I call with an OEM instead of retail license.

DaveF's take (within this thread) on activation for OEM was as follows: "Partly this is because I purchased an OEM copy. I believe a normal copy doesn't get hung-up on this matter." But he was using an OEM of XP rather than Vista. I don't know if Vista OEM gives greater heartburn in regard to activation.

The reason that I chose Vista over XP -- notwithstanding the major resource hit of using Vista -- was that I didn't want to get to a point over time where a given program would require Vista (and I didn't have it). I just lived 6 years with Windows 2000 instead of XP, and ultimately ran into a wall with a couple of programs as well as a video service (NetFlix) that required digital rights management (which Windows 2000 does not have). I upgraded my Macbook to 4 GB of RAM just to be safe for Vista in Fusion. I'm hoping that it will be enough to mitigate the resource hit.

But it's that worry about product activation under Boot Camp and Fusion that is nagging at me as I prepare to install Vista OEM and Fusion tonight ....

Do you know anyone running Windows Vista Premium in Boot Camp and Fusion, using the OEM of Vista Premium, without any activation problems?

Thanks.

Let us know how you got on,i wouldn't let the activation issue worry you,i once tried Vista premium on MBP ( OEM ) plus fusion and didn't run into any issues but i swapped it back to XP within a few hours

The only reason why a OEM may not work is if its machine specific ( ie its configured for a dells hardware )

[NewbieUS]

Neil -- Thanks very much for your assurances. It turns out that you were 100% right: I had no problem at all to activate Vista OEM in both Boot Camp and Fusion. Everything worked like a charm.

The only problem is -- you were right -- Vista is an incredible resource hog. With OS X, I might never have known that my Macbook had a cooling fan. But running Vista my Macbook ran hot and the fan was almost always blowing. Also, my battery life dropped from 4+ hours at full charge in OS X to about 2.5 hours in Vista. The speed of the programs themselves is not too bad, but the heat and fan activity are disconcerting. (I have 2 GB of 4 GB in total RAM as well as one core of a dual-core processor set up for virtualization.)

Maybe what I should do is drop $90 on an OEM version of XP. What do you think, is performance on the above issues not a concern with XP?

Thanks again for your advice.

[Neil321]

Neil -- Thanks very much for your assurances. It turns out that you were 100% right: I had no problem at all to activate Vista OEM in both Boot Camp and Fusion. Everything worked like a charm.

The only problem is -- you were right -- Vista is an incredible resource hog. With OS X, I might never have known that my Macbook had a cooling fan. But running Vista my Macbook ran hot and the fan was almost always blowing. Also, my battery life dropped from 4+ hours at full charge in OS X to about 2.5 hours in Vista. The speed of the programs themselves is not too bad, but the heat and fan activity are disconcerting. (I have 2 GB of 4 GB in total RAM as well as one core of a dual-core processor set up for virtualization.)

Maybe what I should do is drop $90 on an OEM version of XP. What do you think, is performance on the above issues not a concern with XP?

Thanks again for your advice.

Hi again

Glad it turned out Ok ( or at least the setup ) fusion can access both CPU's,i don't have the heat issues you mention while running XP under fusion as for battery life i use my MBP as a desktop so its rare that i
have it unplugged but they are related. Its of course up to you what you choose but like i said id go XP,there is this prog (http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php) you can use in windows to monitor/adjust temp,fan speed etc,

[NewbieUS]

Thanks again for your help! :)

[Neil321]

Thanks again for your help! :)

No problemo

[MM07]

I'm glad I found this thread.

I followed the above directions. But with Fusion, I had to reactivate XP by phone. Typing 112 numbers sucks.

IIRC I might of tried to activate before I set up the VM tools, so I guess I didn't follow the directions exactly. ;)

I'm all set now, I hope.

[NewbieUS]

Right, VM Tools has to be installed before you activate Windows in Fusion.

By the way, I see that you have a 320GB hard drive in your Macbook. Is that the way you bought the computer or did you add the hard drive yourself? If you added the drive on your own, can you recommend a place to buy it?

Thanks!

[Neil321]

Can you recommend a place to buy it?


As your in the US ( i think ) try newegg or OWC,glad to see it's you this time dishing out the advice,if you have the $ i'd wait for the samsung spinpoint M6 500GB to show up at outlets.The drive is gonna be around the $200 mark

[MM07]

Right, VM Tools has to be installed before you activate Windows in Fusion.

By the way, I see that you have a 320GB hard drive in your Macbook. Is that the way you bought the computer or did you add the hard drive yourself? If you added the drive on your own, can you recommend a place to buy it?

Thanks!

I installed it myself. I got it from newegg. I was about $145, I think it's cheaper now.

[01jamcon]

Sorry, just wanting to clarify, if you install VMware Tools BEFORE Fusion, you shouldn't need to reauthenticate Windows in Fusion again? Is that correct?

[Neil321]

1 Authorise windows in bootcamp
2 Install fusion
3 Install tools
4 Authorise windows again

The order you should have done things is as follows:
Install Windows under Boot Camp
Boot Windows under Boot Camp
Activate Windows under Boot Camp
Boot Boot Camp volume under Fusion
Install VMware Tools
Reboot the VM
Activate Windows under Fusion


Sorry, just wanting to clarify, if you install VMware Tools BEFORE Fusion, you shouldn't need to reauthenticate Windows in Fusion again? Is that correct?

If you want fusion running of your bootcamp partition then no,you NEED to install fusion FIRST,plus you need to activate windows TWICE,if you do it the way round you state you will have to ring M$ for sure

[ayeying]

Alright, I'm running into a little bit of problems. Everytime I reboot into Vista, i'd have the 3 days left to activate. If I activate it there, everytime I'd boot into vmware fusion, it'll show up the same thing. ANyone has this problem?

[MM07]

Alright, I'm running into a little bit of problems. Everytime I reboot into Vista, i'd have the 3 days left to activate. If I activate it there, everytime I'd boot into vmware fusion, it'll show up the same thing. ANyone has this problem?

Have you installed the VM Ware tools yet?

[Mark Morb]

Alright, I'm running into a little bit of problems. Everytime I reboot into Vista, i'd have the 3 days left to activate. If I activate it there, everytime I'd boot into vmware fusion, it'll show up the same thing. ANyone has this problem?

I'm having a similar problem, activated while booted into Vista and all is good, however running in VMWare says activation failed, two days left!!!

[Neil321]

I'm having a similar problem, activated while booted into Vista and all is good, however running in VMWare says activation failed, two days left!!!

Have you followed the validate windows & installing fusion process correctly?

[Mark Morb]

Have you followed the validate windows & installing fusion process correctly?

Yes, I only actually put Fusion on a few weeks back but have been using my fully activated version of Vista Ultimate using Boot Camp for about 3 or 4 months. I have only just noticed the VMFusion session asking for validation as I don't use it that often...

[MM07]

Yes, I only actually put Fusion on a few weeks back but have been using my fully activated version of Vista Ultimate using Boot Camp for about 3 or 4 months. I have only just noticed the VMFusion session asking for validation as I don't use it that often...

This happened to me too because I did not install the Fusion tools first.

Just do the phone activation and you'll be all set. You'll have to type in many, many numbers, but it will work.

[Mark Morb]

This happened to me too because I did not install the Fusion tools first.

Just do the phone activation and you'll be all set. You'll have to type in many, many numbers, but it will work.

I'll give it a try when I get home, thanks

[Neil321]

I'll give it a try when I get home, thanks

Yep just do as MM07,validation problems normally arise when people don't install the tools & then try to validate,as MM07 also stated
you can use there automated phone & customer rep thingy,its a long winded process that you have to tell it basically you upgraded your hardware
and its not letting you activate again

[VideoFreek]

In case you're unaware, apparently Vista SP1 has killed VMWare Tools's ability to manage activations, because SP1 introduces significant changes in Windows activation. I learned about this the hard way when I installed Vista Ultimate from my bootcamp partition--it seemed to activate just fine in Fusion, but then when I booted natively from the bootcamp partition, it was asking for activation. It (re-)activated there just fine, but then when I booted into Fusion, it's asking for activation again!

Over at the VMWare forums, a company rep (Jim Gill) acknowledges the issue and states they're working on it. In the meantime, the only workaround is to uninstall SP1. Here is one of the relevant threads:

http://communities.vmware.com/message/897252#897252

[danrad]

Fusion keeps hosing my video drivers in Boot Camp, so I set up a separate VM and did a fresh install of Vista 64 Home Premium.

What kind of trouble will I run into with activation? Anyone know?

Is Windows really worth it?