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Early Problems with Windows 7 Beta Keys

Posted 01/08/09 at 04:16:21 PM  by Mark Edward Soper

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Glitches with Windows 7 betas' activation keys

ArsTechnica reports that some users who have downloaded Windows 7 from the early release outlets (Microsoft Connect, MSDN, TechNet) can't get keys - and thus can't activate their downloaded copies.

Here's what Microsoft is saying about the glitch (via ArsTechnica):

We've had some reports over the last few hours where customers have been receiving errors when requesting Windows 7 Beta product keys. We can confirm that we are having trouble distributing Windows 7 Beta product keys right now. Since Windows has a grace period built in before a product key is required, please don't hesitate to download and use the Beta without the product key. We will post information here as soon as this is resolved.

Like ArsTechnica, we'll also be keeping an eye on this problem and will let you know when it's solved. 

While folks like me are warming up our broadband connections and our browsers for the official release to the public Friday afternoon, if you've downloaded Win7 beta from MS Connect, MSDN, or TechNet, hit Comment and tell us about your experiences so far.

COMMENTS:4
TAGS: microsoft, operating system, beta, activation, windows 7, pre-release, problems
COMMENTS
avatarI downloaded WIndows 7 @ 4:00am

Submitted by rastiss on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 12:20am

on 1/9. While it was downloading I clicked on the link to get a key. It did give me some error (can't recall it exactly) that stated there was a problem. It suggested logging off and then log back on. As I was downloading, this seemed stupid. As I have the slower DSL, I just went to bed. This morning at approx 11:00am I clicked on the link for the key. It made me log back in, as my session had timed out. I rec'd the key, and it worked.

So if the original posters did as I did, they'd have gotten an error.

There is also an update listed on the Win 7 download page, KB 961367. After I loaded Win 7, it did an update, and the above KB wasn't listed or installed. I had downloaded it to a thumbdrive. I inserted the USB drive, Win7 saw it right away. Double clicked on the update, and it loaded fine.

Overall my initial impressions are very good. On an Intel E8400 cpu, things seem to move along nicely. But admittedly, I've not done much with it other than basic surfing, and mucking around. My initial impression thus far is not bad. 

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avatarDay 1 of the start of the BS

Submitted by ghot on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 7:49pm

Sheesh....they can't even get the Beta rolled out correctly....gee I can't wait to see what else they ....forgot how to do....is anyone even there at MS...the lights are on...but.....

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avatarSorry but ... where do you

Submitted by Pyrophorics on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 2:59pm

Never mind, I will learn to read more.

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avatarwindows 7

Submitted by icsmith on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 2:46pm

it is quick and sleek I haven't used it too much yet but I have noticed poor connection speeds over the LAN but other than that is is great!

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