Problem Activating Vista

[Jokke]

Time to call upon the brilliant minds of Icrontic once again:D

I have a HP Compaq 6715b laptop with Windows Vista Enterprise installed. I formatted maybe 4 or 5 months ago. I've had this problem for about a week or so. The problem is I can't activate Vista. Every now and again a pop-up tells me I need to activate Vista. If I click it, I get a screen with some different options:
1. Activate Vista Electronically Now

2. Buy a new license key (not really an option, I already have one)

3. Insert license key again

4. Show other ways to activate (greyed out)

I've tried both option 1 and 3 numerous times. When attempting either, it seems to be working for a while, before giving me an error:

Windows activation error.

A problem appeared when trying to activate Windows. Error 0X8007232b
For a possible solution, klick more information

Klicking "More Information" gives me: DNS-name does not exist.

I googled the error code, and found a few threads, all suggesting the same thing.

"Right-click My Computer -> properties. Scroll down to Windows Activation. Do NOT click "Activate Windows now". Instead, click "Change Product Key", and insert your serial there."
I've tried that, and still get the DNS-error.

I called Microsoft Norway to see if there was any help there, but no. I got tossed back and forth, until I ended up with some Activation Phone Help. "YaY" I though, and dialled "1" to activate windows through the phone. The machine then asked me for a bunch of stuff I have no idea what is, so I hung up. I tried again, and asked for a human operator this time.
He got to the point where I get the DNS-error, and then asked if I wanted to get put over to Technical Support. I said no, and he hung up.
The reason I said no, is because I've called them once before. Let me just say, it would be cheaper for me to buy a brand new Windows OS then to stay two minutes on the line with those guys.

Oh, I called HP too. Seems this computer comes with a legal Home Basic serial. Does that mean I can "borrow" Home basic from "an internet friend", install, and just use the serial that came with the computer? The reason I have Enterprise is because my school won't let me into their network otherwise. Not that it matters now, I don't go there anymore.

Any ideas? At this point I'm tempted to just go out and buy Vista Home or better. I would install XP, but drivers and **** is a real hassle with this computer.

[Jokke]

Anyone?

[Snarkasm]

When you bought the computer, did you ask for a Vista Enterprise OS upgrade, or did you buy Enterprise from school or something?

If it's an HP laptop, there's a good chance that there's a partition on the disk designated solely for reverting the laptop all the way to the complete bone-stock situation if you press something like F11 at the BIOS screens; you might want to check that out before you spend cash on a new license.

[Jokke]

Well, see, it's not really mine, or it is, but not quite.. *sigh* I'm sort of leasing it from my school. I'm paying to have it, and when I'm done paying, it's mine. It came with Home basic installed, and I used that for a while, until my school got whiny and demanded Enterprise. I don't think there are any other partitions on this computer..

[Snarkasm]

Then check the bottom of the laptop for the Windows sticker and see if there's a Vista license key on there (NOT Office, Windows itself), and if there is, reinstall Home Basic from whatever source you like and plug in that code; should work.

Unless, of course, you'd rather keep using Enterprise, in which case we should be troubleshooting the activation issue.

[Jokke]

I'll think I'll do that. Now, where to get a disc? Can I get one cheap/free from windows if I tell them I have a license key?

[Snarkasm]

Not sure about that; my university used to offer cheap OS discs as a result of volume licensing with MS, so I got Vista for $15 or so; if you can do that, not only do you get the disc, but a different valid key as well, so might check that out.

Couldn't hurt to ask MS, but I doubt they'd do any favors to somebody just saying "I've got a license key, gimme a disc." Try explaining it, who knows.

[Jokke]

Ok, so no-one is willing to let me have a version of Home Basic without hefty sums of money. However, I've stumbled over something. This is, I guess, a "corporate" computer, since it is "registered" to a network, or something. At least, I think it is. Tell me if you think I'm totally off here. But I read that corporate computers will need a so-called MAK-key to work outside it's assigned network.. What is a MAK-key, where can I get one if I need one, and is it even remotely possible I need one?

[Leonardo]

Have you talked to one of your school's system administrators? They should have the details about the Vista corporate licensing and any possible MAC restrictions.

[Jokke]

Calling School IT-department was one of my first actions.. Unfortunately, they were all on vacation. Meaning, I can't get any help from them 'till mid-august.. Well, guess I'll just wait until then.

EDIT: Wow, 666 posts... I'm one helluva poster!:p

[Jokke]

Ok, so I'm going back to XP for a while, handling any trouble that may be ahead. I've now run into the first one. I'm on a laptop. With Vista, I had a nice little thing in the lower right corner that let me set my computer into "HP-optimized", Power-saving mode" and "High Performance mode" I don't hace this anymore. Is this one of Vista's exclusive features, or can I get it in XP too? If yes, how?

[CB]

It's a feature exclusive to the original install for your laptop. You may be able to download it from their website, but probably not.

[Jokke]

I just talked to Hazari at HP support. He could tell me that this feature was only available in Vista. A shame..

However, Google has introduced me to something interesting. ACPI And APM. When trying to Google either, I mostly get Windows help articles. It sounds to me like this is something like the thing I'm looking for. Can anyone please explain to me what it is, what it does and if it really is like what I'm looking for. As far as I understand, it has something to do with bios..

[Snarkasm]

Both are power management functions - Advanced Configuration and Power Interface and Advanced Power Management. They usually control how your computer sleeps, what state of sleep it can get to, hibernation, when the drives spin down and your monitors turn off, etc.