PDC05: Microsoft Admits Product Key Problems

A post at Tim Sneath"s blog confirms it, and after checking that this is publically available information we can now provide the information to rectify any problems PDC attendees might have activating their build.

The Windows Vista Technical Evangalist wrote "Some people have experienced difficulties with activating the Windows Vista builds that we distributed at the PDC. Please accept our apologies for this; there"s been a mismatch between the activation servers and the product key that was handed out. It"s embarrassing - we screwed up - we"re sorry. So here"s the deal:

For Windows Vista Beta 1, use the following product key:
• Q8WDJ-TR4KJ-X8WHM-GVGV3-H74C3

  For Windows Vista Build 5219 (PDC CTP), use the following product key:

• GKFV7-F2D9H-QKYXY-777P3-4M73W

If you are having problems activating either build, please try again tomorrow. We are replicating the needed changes as we speak, but at this point, not all the activation servers are updated.

He also noted that PDC attendees will automatically receive copies of the Office 12 beta when it becomes available, instead of having to go to Microsoft Beta Place and fill out a nomination survey.

View: Tim Sneath"s Blog & The follow-up article (Redux)