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Vista Family Discount Keys Found Not Compatible

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the fits-a-different-lock dept.

acousticiris writes "Many (if not all) users who took advantage of Microsoft's Vista Family Discount have been issued invalid installation keys and cannot install Windows Vista Home Premium. Microsoft says, 'There is no expected time period for a fix at this time.' According to the article, the keys are valid for something, just not Windows Vista. Perhaps it's just too simple to issue these folks new keys and send them on their way."

24 of 394 comments (clear)

  1. Paid customers getting the shaft? by wesley96 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ah, whodathunkit? :P Anyway, I have an itchy feeling some cracker might be able to put out a valid serial generator before MS could fix this problem.

    --
    Serving time in Aristotelean prison for violating laws of physics
    1. Re:Paid customers getting the shaft? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Who are you calling a cracker, nigger?

    2. Re:Paid customers getting the shaft? by Nutty_Irishman · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ah, whodathunkit? :P Anyway, I have an itchy feeling some cracker might be able to put out a valid serial generator before MS could fix this problem. Personally I believe in equal opportunity piracy. But, whatever floats your boat...
    3. Re:Paid customers getting the shaft? by Hrodvitnir · · Score: 2, Funny

      Ok, I laughed, but come on... That's kind of a step back for those of us trying to get everyone to stop using 'hacker' incorrectly.

      --
      "There are more important things than stopping terrorism. Upholding the Constitution is one of them." - Ars Forumer.
    4. Re:Paid customers getting the shaft? by numbski · · Score: 2, Funny

      Cracker what?!?

      --

      Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).

  2. family values by rigelstar · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft has begun its war against the american family. Grab your pitchforks and join the final battle!

    1. Re:family values by SEWilco · · Score: 3, Funny

      Not to worry. Your Microsoft Vista-compatible Family will arrive tomorrow. All will be well. Just ask them.

    2. Re:family values by TheDreadSlashdotterD · · Score: 2, Funny

      Okay. Anything to kill the American family. Finally, Microsoft and I see eye to eye on something.

      --
      I have nothing to say.
    3. Re:family values by Mr2001 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Well, since you're spending an extra $500 for that logo, it'd better be shiny!

      --
      Visual IRC: Fast. Powerful. Free.
  3. Well... by Overzeetop · · Score: 4, Funny

    that should keep the number of Vista zombie machines in check for a while.

    --
    Is it just my observation, or are there way too many stupid people in the world?
  4. I think a simple thank you is in order by codepunk · · Score: 3, Funny

    The people this has happened to ought to call MS and thank them for saving them from a pointless
    upgrade.

    --


    Got Code?
  5. Oh no... by tktk · · Score: 5, Funny
    The keys are valid for some other product. The four words I dread to hear:

    Microsoft Bob for Vista.

  6. Re:I can already see it.. by dynamo52 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Vista was released on time?!? What calendar are you looking at?

    --
    Like this comment? I accept Bitcoin! - 153sc8UUBXyp12ofQqfAWDmJrzyiKCYC1x
  7. Might be the computers by edwardpickman · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe they saw the Mac commercials about upgrading PCs and they're afraid of the upgrade?

  8. People with tags by jpardey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, defectivebydesign is good. windows and bug are also good. But still, where's the slownewsday?

    --
    I have freaks! I did something right...
  9. Re:Valid for... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't forget to install Linux Genuine Advantage on that fresh new Linux install!

  10. A thought by Shadyman · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe they're leftover keys from Windows ME that never got used. They've got plenty of those left over.

  11. Re:Valid for... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I installed that on my servers at work about a month ago and I can't log in!

  12. Re:What's to stop someone... by DodgeRules · · Score: 3, Funny

    What's to stop someone from buying Ultimate, doing the family upgrade pack & reselling those licenses for >$50?

    uhm, how about keys that don't work!

    (Can't wait to read about the class-action lawsuit on Groklaw about this one!)

  13. Re:digest by kfg · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm a romanian, and I don't even consider getting a torrent of vista.

    So was great granddad; and he won't be either:

    "Windows Vista: So pointless even dead Romanians don't care about it."

    KFG

  14. Re:Why would they subject themselves to this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sigh... that's because the first version was so unbelievebly slow and unoptimised it was considered a Beta by everyone that used it!

    It's taken 5 years for them to produce the OS that OSX SHOULD HAVE BEEN in the first place and you you know it :(

  15. Re:Family Plan wasn't in beta. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    so YOU'RE the one to blame. GET HIM!

  16. Re:Unacceptable by tftp · · Score: 3, Funny

    But aren't OS/X upgrades sold? If so, there is definitely some p1racy potential if one Mac owner "shares" his upgrade of the OS with other Mac owners. Maybe Apple just depends on the fact that there is a 1,000 miles on average between any two Mac owners? ;-)

  17. Why I love /. BETA by codecracker007 · · Score: 3, Funny

    below:
    [+] defectivebydesign, haha, windows, slownewsday, bug (tagging beta)
    above:
    'Buy VIsta Today' Ad

    All hail the wonderful world of contextual ads!!!!!!

    --
    7-8-9-10-0