"Confirmation ID is invalid" error message when you try to activate Windows Server 2003 by phone (824345)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Windows Product Activation Wizard to activate Windows Server 2003 by phone, you may receive the following error message when you type your confirmation ID and then click Next:
The confirmation ID is invalid. Please check the number and try again.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if you activate Windows by phone after the 30-day activation grace period has expired.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix Information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart Requirement

You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Note After you install this hotfix and restart the computer, the 30-day activation grace period is reset.

Hotfix Replacement Information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File Information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. 

Date         Time   Version       Size    File name
------------------------------------------------------
28-Aug-2003  00:39  5.2.3790.81  380,928  Licdll.dll       
28-Aug-2003  00:39  5.2.3790.81  540,160  Winlogon.exe

If you not able to access the server because the product activation period has expired, install the hotfix by using one of the following methods.

Method 1: Install the hotfix in Safe mode

To install the hotfix in Safe mode, use the following steps:
  1. Download the hotfix to a temporary folder on another computer. For example, download the file to the C:\hotfix folder on a computer that you have access to.
  2. Double-click the hotfix file that you downloaded.
  3. When you are prompted, type the password that you were given, and then choose a folder to put the extracted executables in. For example, extract the files to C:\hotfix.
  4. Copy the Windowsserver2003-kb824345-x86-enu.exe file to a floppy disk. You can delete the *symbols.exe" file, it is not needed.
  5. On the computer that you want to activate Windows on, restart the computer, and then press the F8 key during startup to view the Startup menu.
  6. Use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode, and then press ENTER.
  7. Log on to the computer, insert the floppy disk that has the hotfix, copy the Windowsserver2003-kb824345-x86-enu.exe file to the computer, and then open this file.
  8. Follow the hotfix installation instructions, and then restart the computer when you are prompted to do this. Let the computer start normally.
  9. Log on and activate Windows. You should now be able to activate successfully over the phone. If you still cannot activate Windows, proceed to Method 2.

Method 2: Manually replace the system files in recovery mode.

To manually replace the system files in recovery mode, use the following steps:

Method 2: Replace system files by using the Recovery Console

  1. Download the hotfix to a temporary folder.

    For example, download the file to the C:\hotfix folder.
  2. Move to the temporary folder, and then double-click the WindowsServer2003-KB824345-x86-ENU.exe file.
  3. When you are prompted, type the password that you were given and then choose a folder to put the extracted executables in.

    For example, extract the files to C:\hotfix.
  4. Click Start, click Run, type C:\TempFolder\WindowsServer2003-KB824345-x86-ENU.exe -x, and then choose a path for the extracted files when you are prompted.

    For example, type: C:\hotfix\WindowsServer2003-KB824345-x86-ENU.exe -x
  5. Move to the temporary folder, and then open the \rtmqfe folder.

    For example, move to the C:\hotfix\rtmqfe folder.

    The following files will appear:
    • Licdll.dll
    • Winlogon.exe
    For additional information about extracting Windows update files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    262841 Command-Line switches for Windows software update packages

  6. Copy the files from step 5 to a floppy disk.
  7. Remove the floppy disk.
  8. Start the computer by using the Recovery Console.

    For additional information about how to start your computer using the Recovery Console, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    326215 How to use the Recovery Console on a Windows Server 2003-based computer that does not start

  9. When you are at the Recovery Console command prompt, you can copy the files from the floppy disk to the following folder, where Drive is the drive letter and WinDir is the folder where Windows is installed:

    Drive:\WinDir\System32

  10. Restart your computer.
  11. Install the hotfix that is described in this article.
  12. Restart your computer.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, use the following troubleshooting methods in the order that they are presented in. After you complete each step, test to determine whether the issue is resolved. If the issue persists, go to the next method.
  • Verify that you type the confirmation ID correctly in the Windows Product Activation Wizard when you activate Windows by phone.
  • Try to obtain another confirmation ID, and then type that confirmation ID in the Windows Product Activation Wizard when you activate Windows by phone.
  • Activate Windows by using an Internet connection.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Windows Product Activation, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation

For a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Product Activation, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/11/2006
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbBug kbfix kbQFE kbWinServ2003preSP1fix KB824345 kbAudITPRO kbAudEndUser
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