Vista Activation unsuccessful with WoW_1_02 patch. Hi Yen! Thanks for your prompt reply! Yes, I have got only 1 physical HDD of WDC. Q. You've used XP setup to set partitions?? My Ans: No. I have used Vista DVD to partition the HDD and than used XP CD to install it on C drive. Of lately, I do not recollect if I have used XP CD to partition my HDD or Vista DVD. B’coz, the old XP CD which I had could not recognize this WDC SATA HDD since the CD was missing the required SATA driver. Therefore, I had to re-create XP CD using nLite with the required SATA driver integrated. Q. You've booted to Vista, your Vista Installation gets now C:\ allocated, XP is now D:\. Ans: Yes, That’s correct! Q. As you've installed XP did you re-set the partitions, or do you use the partitions originally set from manufacturer? Ans: Well, time and again, I have re-partitioned and formatted my HDD due to Vista’s Activation issue. So, I believe that by now, manufacturer’s partitions must have been deleted. Q. Some manufacturers use their own bootloader to access a hidden recovery partition, could that be at your case? My Question to you: How should I make sure if the Manufacturer’s bootloader still exists on the HDD. And how to check this hidden partition? Came your Notebook with any OS preinstalled? Ans: No. It came with free DOS edition. Q. Are you using recovery partition images such as TrueImage? Ans: No. I purely use OS CD to do these stuffs. Q. Bootloader is working? Ans: If you are talking about the OS selector at startup than “Yes”, that works fine. Also I see that Polyphemus got his issue resolved by saying in his post: "issue resolved, the image is located at (hd0,4)”. So, how to check if my Wow image is located at HDO, 1/2/3/4…? And which file needs to be modified in this case with the help of Notepad? Should it be “Menu.Lst”? Kindly let me know your way out of this issue as early as possible. ****************************************************************************************** A quick update. Just few mins ago, I installed Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 on my HP 530 notebook and installed Windows Vista into that Virtual PC 2007. Yen, I followed all the steps as you said and everything went out smoothly but Vista still says: "30 days to activate" after restarting my notebook. Very wired!!! I created single partition and installed Vista on C drive. I also see "Resetting GLDR... along with lots of text during startup which needs to be dealt with. Secondly, how to determine if the installed Vista version is RTM or OEM?
To find the correct partition I typed, at the Grub prompt, 'root (hd0,<tab><tab>', where <tab> is pressing the TAB-key. All available partitions are sequentially showed when you press TAB. It's like an autocomplete of the command. Grub displayed partitions it sees, where (hd0,0) is my XP partition, and (hd0,4) is, obviously, my Vista partition. Next I edited the menu.lst in the root of the Vista installation, not in the WOW.IMG. I replaced 'map --mem (hd0,0)/wow/wow.img (fd0)' with 'map --mem (hd0,4)/wow/wow.img (fd0)'. I hope this will help a bit! Update: To check if Grub can find the wow.img, I simply used the 'map' command mentioned above and tried all partitions Grub showed with the 'root <tab><tab>' trick. Grub gives an error if it can't find the image.
Vista Activation unsuccessful with WoW_1_02 patch. Hi Polyphemus! Thanks for your reply! Well, it seems like you are talking about accessing Grub through Ubuntu. Is that true? B'coz, I have XP and Vista installed on my HP 530 Notebook. Therefore, how to access the "Grub prompt" within XP / Vista? Also, as you can see in my reply posted above, I tried this patch on Vista Ultimate through Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 and the patch did run successfully but what shocked me is that Vista still shows as unactivated and on the other hand, when I see users of this forum posting success about their Vista's activation after applying this WoW_1_02 patch, I got more surprised & curious that howcome this patch did not work for me on my HP 530 Notebook? Where am I going wrong exaclty? Polyphemus, did you notice any startup text message after applying this patch on your PC? Update: Hello All! A quick update. Like Polyphemus, even I reached the grub prompt screen under Microsoft Virtual PC 2007. I started inserting all the commands one by one as mentioned in menu.lst While typing, "hiddenmenu" command, even I get an error message as: "Error 27: Unrecognized command". While applying the following command "map --mem (hd0,0)/wow/wow.img (fd0)" without quotes, I get the below message: " FAT12 BPB found with OxEB (jmp) leading the boot sector. probed C/H/S = 80/2/18, probed total sectors = 2880 " And when I change (hd0,0) to (hd0,1/2/3/4), I get an error message as: " Error 22: No such partition". But overall, this WoW_1_02.exe has not worked for my HP 530 Notebook, very wired !!! Kindly have a look at the attached screenshot.
Because Grub wasn't able to find the wow.img, I ended up with the Grub command prompt. When I boot, messages of Grub flash on my screen, I'm not able to read them because it's too fast. The only thing I can see, that Grub loads NTLDR instead of BootMgr, but that shouldn't be a problem. I'm really not familiar with these patches, it was only a big guess and great luck that I managed to get it to work on my dual boot system. The message "FAT12 BPB found with OxEB (jmp) leading the boot sector. probed C/H/S = 80/2/18, probed total sectors = 2880 " looks like there is another, small partition on your disk, at the very beginning. If that's so, deleting it with a partition manager like Acronis Disk Director Suite could be an option..
Thanks! I'm working on a solution that doesn't need to write MBR at all.... I'll release the update 1.3 and 2.0 (no mbr) after I've realised them......more work to do..........
I just overlooked something: when booting, I see an 'Unrecognised command' message flashing by on my screen, only I'm not able to read it properly But dispite that, it's working just fine...
You can try to add the timeout 10 command to make grub wait. You can see the error message? I'm trying it right now.......doesn't stop, it's for stop to display menue only.... Anyway, I'm releasing now Wow 1.03, two improvements. -finds wow.img at any hd0 partition -finds Vista's bootmgr for sure (uses a marker file, called this_is_Vista.tag) To apply, deinstall previous Version use uninstall.bat, run 1.3 exe, confirm to replace existing files, reboot.
Ok, I tried to add a 'timeout 10', but it simply doesn't timeout. But I managed to get a glimpse of the message when booting 10 times in a row It says 'Unrecongised partition table'. I think Grub also scans my USB-harddrive when it's attached, because when I disconnect it, I don't see the message (for as far I'm able to see what Grub tells me).
Download Link? But where's the download link for wow v.3? And which patch is this b'coz as far as I see Yen's post, he has mentioned about Wow 1.03 patch. Are you talking about the same patch?
I've worked at two new patches. V 1.03 and V 2.00 The general way is the same. They are found at the same page. (Link to is located at first post). Also instructions / improvements....I'm providing V2.00 right now @ricardo Thank you for feedback, enjoy!
Questions for Ricardo. Hi Ricardo! I have few questions for you since I see that you have managed to activate Vista on your HP 530 notebook. I also own the same HP 530 Notebook. My questions are: Q.1 Did your HP 530 notebook came preinstalled with any OS or did it came with free DOS OS like mine? Q.2 Have you installed Vista Ultimate on HP 530 and could you kindly let me know from where you obtained this copy of Vista, I mean the download link? Q.3 Did you check which BIOS has been supplied with your HP 530 Notebook. And should that be the same for mine as well? What basically I would like to ask over here is if Hewlett Packard supplies similar BIOS and Motherboard for HP 530 or anyother HP Notebook, than let that notebook be falling into a home entertainment or a business series? Q.4 Did you install SP1 after installing the Wow patch and does your Vista SP1 than still shows as activated. Too many questions from my side.... Even Yen is quite excited with my questions as I have asked him now and than...
OK. I think we have to go now step by step. First we check if your current bios is made for Wow patch: Install AcpiScope at XP, go to file--->load acpi information--->from bios, save and upload the *.ats file. A acpi table, called SLIC must be present. (IMO it is) It is strange that my batch file didn't find the bootmgr at Vista root. NOW install easybcd at Vista. Go to manage bootloader, check uninstall Vista bootloader (use to restore xp), press write MBR. After that your system boots to xp only and you've got a new clean MBR in case there was something messed up or another softmod has done some other modifications before. Format drive D: /your Vista partition. (To format only WON'T reset the changes of MBR!!!) Install now Vista again. Don't make any further changes, we have to work together and to discuss every step that will follow. At Vista desktop press f1 to enter windows help. At search bar type 'show hidden files'. At 1. Click to open folder options, click view tab, mark show hidden files and folders. Uncheck hide protected operation system files. Press apply. You should see now all files. Open explorer and provide to me please a screenshot of Vista C:\ (Vista root) I'll have a look at it and to check if there are some modifications made by other softmods I don't know what versions of Vista are available. I know that some other softmods use: A) A modified bootmgr B) A modified MBR (Vista loader) Both of them interfere with WoW. You must install a clean original retail Version of Vista, or a clean HP-OEM Version. Another problem: If you have already installed such a modified Vista version before, the modification B) won't go by just formatting and installing a clean Vista version after it. So we use easybcd. I'm sure that Wow will work at EVERY machine that shows a SLIC at AcpiScope. HP530 is one of it. At your case there is one little thing present that makes it impossible to run WoW properly. A unmodified original copy of Vista is essential. I will help you till it works.
Hehehe... you are really funny Don't get into trouble with your Mom.... Thank you for your report and report files. I had a look at the *.ats report. It looks as expected, you've got the right bios. WoW will work. But you've got no bootmgr file located at C:\ also the entire boot folder is missing! I don't know why it's not there. It's also strange that you've got no error at boot......are you sure it's Vista's bootloader which allows you to select the OS to boot? I've googled about. A missing bootmgr usually leads to an error at boot. We can try to repair /restore it. First install easybcd again (Vista). Press View Settings and post please the entry. Second: Go to manage bootloader and press backup settings. This will save your bootloader settings. Third: We need to know what license you've installed. Turn off UAC (let it turned off all the time). Run at command prompt: slmgr -dli Wait for dialog box and show me it as well. We have to go step by step to avoid to get confused again, I'm sorry.... I've got the suspicion that your Vista was modified.....never saw these files missing....... But we're getting closer...
Screenshots of D Drive/Vista License, EasyBCD Boot Entries, Hi Yen! Yes, that was funny & I cannot overlook what my Mom says b’coz she is my Mom and always worried about me like all other Mom in this world will be for her son. Anyway’z, this time I am ready with much more information and a screenshot as well and something wired I discovered which will quickly help you in fixing my issue. With the help of these informations and screenshots, I guess we have nearly trapped the issue & a step away from the solution. Ok, so here is goes: Q1. But you've got no bootmgr file located at C:\ also the entire boot folder is missing! I don't know why it's not there. Ans: Kindly have a look at the attached screenshot: “D Drive (XP) Screenshot.jpg” for the answer. It’s strange when I look at this screenshot. The missing files and folders which we are talking about are in this second partition, i.e. D drive. This screenshot displays my D drive on which XP is installed, b’coz when I boot to XP, C drive becomes XP and vice versa for Vista. Q2. Are you sure it's Vista's bootloader which allows you to select the OS to boot? Ans: Well, so far I am able to boot to both XP & Vista without issues, I would say “Yes” but e’m not quite sure about this. Q3. First install easybcd again (Vista). Press View Settings and post please the entry. Ans: EASY BCD Boot Entries: There are a total of 2 entries listed in the Vista Bootloader. Bootloader Timeout: 30 seconds. Default OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Entry #1 Name: Earlier Version of Windows BCD ID: {ntldr} Drive: D:\ Bootloader Path: \ntldr Entry #2 Name: Microsoft Windows Vista BCD ID: {current} Drive: C:\ Bootloader Path: \Windows\system32\winload.exe Windows Directory: \Windows Q4. We need to know what license you've installed. Turn off UAC (let it turned off all the time). Run at command prompt: slmgr –dli Ans: Kindly check the attached screenshot: "Vista License Screenshot.jpg". Q5. I've got the suspicion that your Vista was modified. Ans: Yes, after looking at the Vista License Screenshot, I would agree with what you say. Please Note: I have only done a clean installation of Vista as instructed and not used any patches so far. Anyway’z, now I think that I have lots of work to do. Heheheheeh! And Yen, could you kindly help me with the link to download Vista again on which your Wow patches works successfully. I have a high speed connection (Its 1.7Mpbs approx), so downloading of huge files for me shouldn’t be an issue. Waiting to hear from you…. Regards, Apoorva.
Thanks again! This are unexpected news. One question before I have to think about: Have you ever tried to install WoW at XP OS? There is grldr located. Where does it come from? Is it located on your Vista DVD? Hmm it's smaller in size than my grldr...would you please upload it.... CU again...........I'll reply tomorrow......I don't know if it's normal that Vista installs the boot files to xp partition....I'll ask the forum