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- 9 Jan 2006
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Hi chaps
If anyone can help or at least suggest me a way forward then it would be appreciated. I've tried MS support but got nowhere! Beware, this may be along post - here's the problem in a nutshell:
I have had Windows Vista Home Premium (64 bit version) since September last year (fully activated and legit copy - I still have the receipt!) but in the last 2 weeks I have begun to experience problems.
They first came to light when I tried to open Control Panel to alter some settings - the control panel window would open but then immediately close, however i can still access the various functional components via the explorer window.
Subsequently, i began to get messages that defender had failed to update it's definitions, I tried manually but it still failed, so I just left it and carried on, as I was getting no adverse effects in terms of normal PC operation (it's a gaming rig and gaming is unaffected).
I have since tried to use windows update with no joy, (fails to connect detailed error messages below) so I was a bit concerned and so started to look into the issue further, and since discovered that the vista games do not work - for example, mah jong, spider solitare etc - non of them start.
the real catalyst for me to sort this out was 2 days ago when my pc suddenly told me that my copy of vista was not genuine and turned itself off. however, after a reboot i was able to get back in without the activation message appearing. however, my PC now informs me that my copy of Windows is not activated even though it was activated back in Sept 07 (I have not installed any new hardware in my system).
The last windows update for me was on the 25/10/08 (that was the last time it checked), since that point I have installed:
AVG Version 8
Fallout 3
Nvidia Drivers (for my 8800 GTX - dated 07/10/2008, 7.15.11.7824)
Far Cry 2
I have been having these problems for a week or 2 now but they are starting to worry me. My limited research has highlighed a number of potential services that might not be working, however I am unable to start them and do not really know where to begin.
here are the errors I'm getting:
WINDOWS UPDATE
Windows could not search for new updates
Error(s) found:
Code 80070426 Windows Update encountered and unknown error.
WINDOWS ACTIVATION
Windows Activation Error
A problem occurred when Windows tried to activated. Error Code 0x80070426
The last error occurs when I attempt to start the Software Licensing Service which, for some reason, has stopped working on my system. I try to start it manually and get the following error:
Windows could not start the Software Licensing service on Local Computer.
Error 3: the system cannot find the path specified.
So in a nutshell this is my current issue, any help you can give me will be much appreciated.
My systems specs:
intel quad core Q6600 (not OC'd)
4Gb Ram
64 bit Vista Home Premium
Nvidia 8800 GTX
^^ That's basically a copy of the email I sent to MS. I've searched on the error code and google suggests that the activation service has gone down (because it's running in restricted mode??) but the solutions that are suggested involve starting services that refuse to start - they either can't find the path specified or come up with the error above. I've tried re-installing SP1 but it won't install because it's already installed. I can't reactivate windows because it throws up an activation error (can't connect to the service) however I have no other issue with an invalid product (i.e. it starts!).
Short of a clean install, does anyone have any idea what's going on and why? and more importantly how I fix it?
I'd even appreciate a sympathy post telling me to get lost or that you have no idea
If anyone can help or at least suggest me a way forward then it would be appreciated. I've tried MS support but got nowhere! Beware, this may be along post - here's the problem in a nutshell:
I have had Windows Vista Home Premium (64 bit version) since September last year (fully activated and legit copy - I still have the receipt!) but in the last 2 weeks I have begun to experience problems.
They first came to light when I tried to open Control Panel to alter some settings - the control panel window would open but then immediately close, however i can still access the various functional components via the explorer window.
Subsequently, i began to get messages that defender had failed to update it's definitions, I tried manually but it still failed, so I just left it and carried on, as I was getting no adverse effects in terms of normal PC operation (it's a gaming rig and gaming is unaffected).
I have since tried to use windows update with no joy, (fails to connect detailed error messages below) so I was a bit concerned and so started to look into the issue further, and since discovered that the vista games do not work - for example, mah jong, spider solitare etc - non of them start.
the real catalyst for me to sort this out was 2 days ago when my pc suddenly told me that my copy of vista was not genuine and turned itself off. however, after a reboot i was able to get back in without the activation message appearing. however, my PC now informs me that my copy of Windows is not activated even though it was activated back in Sept 07 (I have not installed any new hardware in my system).
The last windows update for me was on the 25/10/08 (that was the last time it checked), since that point I have installed:
AVG Version 8
Fallout 3
Nvidia Drivers (for my 8800 GTX - dated 07/10/2008, 7.15.11.7824)
Far Cry 2
I have been having these problems for a week or 2 now but they are starting to worry me. My limited research has highlighed a number of potential services that might not be working, however I am unable to start them and do not really know where to begin.
here are the errors I'm getting:
WINDOWS UPDATE
Windows could not search for new updates
Error(s) found:
Code 80070426 Windows Update encountered and unknown error.
WINDOWS ACTIVATION
Windows Activation Error
A problem occurred when Windows tried to activated. Error Code 0x80070426
The last error occurs when I attempt to start the Software Licensing Service which, for some reason, has stopped working on my system. I try to start it manually and get the following error:
Windows could not start the Software Licensing service on Local Computer.
Error 3: the system cannot find the path specified.
So in a nutshell this is my current issue, any help you can give me will be much appreciated.
My systems specs:
intel quad core Q6600 (not OC'd)
4Gb Ram
64 bit Vista Home Premium
Nvidia 8800 GTX
^^ That's basically a copy of the email I sent to MS. I've searched on the error code and google suggests that the activation service has gone down (because it's running in restricted mode??) but the solutions that are suggested involve starting services that refuse to start - they either can't find the path specified or come up with the error above. I've tried re-installing SP1 but it won't install because it's already installed. I can't reactivate windows because it throws up an activation error (can't connect to the service) however I have no other issue with an invalid product (i.e. it starts!).
Short of a clean install, does anyone have any idea what's going on and why? and more importantly how I fix it?
I'd even appreciate a sympathy post telling me to get lost or that you have no idea
nasty! i hope it's not hardware but I'll check it all the same, thanks for the suggestion.
