Reduced Functionality Mode

How to Get Out of Reduced Functionality Mode in Vista​

   Information

This will show you how to get out of Reduced Functionality Mode if you did not activate Vista within the 30 day activation trial period and the period has expired, Vista determines or thinks that it is installed on a different computer than it was originally activated on, or you have a non-genuine version of Vista.

For more information, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB925582 Article and Genuine Microsoft Software

   Warning

Microsoft no longer provides support for OEM copies of Vista. If you have one of these, then you must contact the OEM, instead of Microsoft in this tutorial, to activate your OEM Vista. OEM contact information should be included in the documentation that came with your computer or OEM Vista installation CD/DVD package.

METHOD ONE

If you Have Vista SP1/SP2 Installed

NOTE: For more information, see: Windows Genuine Advantage : Taking the next step with Windows Vista SP1

1. Whe you logon to Vista, you will see this message with a window with the options below if Vista is running in reduced functionality mode. To use Vista again, select the option (see table below) in the window that you want to do. (See screenshot below table)​

NOTE: You will have to wait 15 seconds for the Activate Later option to not be grayed out.​

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[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-500][TR][TD]
Option
[/TD]
[TD]
Description
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Activate now
[/TD]
[TD]
This will attempt to activate Vista now.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Activate later
[/TD]
[TD]
This will take you to the desktop again, but with reduced functions and features available in Vista until you activate Vista.
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

​

​

2. If you click on Activate Later, then you will notice that you will have a message in the lower right corner of the desktop that says Windows Vista ™ Build 6001 This copy of Windows is not genuine.​

A) Features like DreamScene will not longer function until you activate Vista. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: DreamScene is only available for the Vista Ultimate edition. ​

​

​

METHOD TWO

If You DO NOT Have Vista SP1/SP2 Installed

1. You will see this message with a window with the options below at the startup of Vista if Vista is running in reduced functionality mode. To use Vista again, select the option in the window that will best resolve the problem. See the table below the screenshot for a description of each option.​

WARNING: If you click on the Cancel button, you will be taken to the logon screen. However, after you logon, you will be taken back to this window.​

​

​

[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-700][TR][TD]
Option
[/TD]
[TD]
Description
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Activate Windows online now
[/TD]
[TD]
If you did not activate Windows within the 30-day activation period, or you typed a valid product key but might have ignored previous activation notifications, select this option to activate Windows on the Internet.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Access your computer with reduced functionality
[/TD]
[TD]
If you need to buy another product key, or you’re running a version of Windows that was detected as non-genuine and you did not activate Windows within the 30-day activation period, select this option to go to a website where you can buy a new product key. You can also use this option to extend the 30-day activation period. (See step 1 below)
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Retype you product key
[/TD]
[TD]
If you mistyped your product key, or have not yet typed a product key, select this option.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Show me other ways to activate
[/TD]
[TD]
If you did not activate Windows within the 30-day activation period, or you typed a valid product key but might have ignored previous activation notifications, select this option to activate Windows with a modem or by phone. Also select this option if you made a hardware change that requires activating Windows again and you did not activate Windows within the allotted 3-day activation period.
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

​

2. Click on Access your computer with reduced functionality.​

NOTE: This option will get you out of the Reduced Functionality mode for now and extend you trial period to 30 more days so you can activate Vista later.​

​

3. This will open Internet Explorer.​

​

4. Check the Do not show me the warning for this program again box. (See screenshot below)​

​

5. Click on the Allow button in the IE Security Warning prompt.​

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​

​

​

6. Type C:\ into the address bar and press Enter. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: This will open a Windows Explorer window.​

​

​

7. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32 (See screenshot below)​

​

8. Scroll down until you find the file cmd.exe.​

​

9. Right click on cmd.exe and click Run as administrator.​

NOTE: This will open a elevated command prompt window.​

​

​

10. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.​

​

11. In the command prompt, type slmgr -rearm and press Enter. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: This will only work if you have not already did this 3 times, or installed the Vista SP1 (Service Pack). If you have, you will receive a denied error.​

​

​

12. It will take a few moments, but you will hear a ding and get a pop-up success prompt soon. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: If you do not see it, then minimize the IE7 window to be able to.​

​

13. Click on OK.​

​

​

14. Click on the Cancel button on the window in the example at the top. (See screenshot below step 1)​

NOTE: This will log you off and take you back to the logon screen.​

​

15. In the log on screen, click on the red box arrow at the bottom right corner to expand it. (See screenshot below)​

​

16. Click on Restart.​

​

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17. When the computer restarts, you will see another window with these options:​

NOTE: Choose the option you want to do. See the table below the screenshot for a description of each option.​

​

​

​

[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-700][TR][TD]
Option
[/TD]
[TD]
Description
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Activate windows online now
[/TD]
[TD]
This will attempt to activate Vista now.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Ask me later
[/TD]
[TD]
This will take you to the desktop again.

• You will have 30 days, or how long it gives you, to activate Vista.
• If you want to extend the trial period further, then see: How to Extend Vista Trial Time for Up to 120 Days

[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

​

​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Activate Vista Normally and by Phone Activation
• How to See Windows Vista Current License Information
• How to Do a Clean Install of Vista From a Upgrade Version
• How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista
• How to Perform a Repair Installation for Vista
• How to Extend Vista Trial Period for Up to 120 Days
• How to Uninstall the Product Key Number and Deactivate Windows 7 and Vista

 

[NoelDP]

At the moment, I'm more concerned with trying to get the whole OS into a usable state fit for activation than anything else
It *may* activate as it is, but later action may break it again, and then cause problems

 

[noelcwt]

See step 2 for phone activation. http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/84488-activate-vista-phone.html

Also try extending activation: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66990-activation-extend-trial-period.html

Phone activation will not work for me because mine windows is an OEM version, plus I couldn't find any phone activation option anywhere.

Let me rephase things in an effort to make it clear.
When you use the Recovery Environment, the C: drive is almost never the same one as the original C:drive.
The X: drive is the one that is currently in use by the Recovery Environment as it's working system drive - and the system re-orders the drives into the order in which they are on the hard disk. Almost always, the first partition is either the Reserved (Boot) partition, or the manufacturer's Recovery partition, and this may or may not have a Windows folder, but will be called C:
the next partition is usually what would normally be called the System drive C: drive - and the drive letter has changed to D:

If for whatever reason, there is another partition prior to the System one, then the System drive will become E:

That's as far as most systems can go because of a limit of 4 primary partitions to any drive, but it is actually possible to have many more drive-letters prior to the System drive you need to access.

Once you boot back into Windows proper, the drive letter assignments go back to normal (unless you've done somehting to them while in the recovery environment.)

My windows file is located in c:\ but the command prompt shows something like x:\windows\system32 so I tried both. I did keyed in the correct command without <>, but it just won't work. See screenshot 2 and 3.

That's the point I'm trying to make - as far as I can see, you never used the D:\....
option.

PLease try it again.

Hi, in fact I've already tried partition c:\ d:\ and x:\, the windows file is showing it's in c:\ partition during repair mode, not d:\, I also tried x:\ just in case but it's not working. As it is now, I have only two options left, to recover to factory setting every now and then (around 3 days) or send it to acer and pay for the activation which I don't think it's worth while .

 

[townsbg]

You have to pay Acer for activation?:huh:

 

[noelcwt]

You have to pay Acer for activation?:huh:

No, but I have to pay a handling charges of 50 bucks if I were to bring my laptop in, service or not, they will charge first before they even take a look on it as the warranty period of my laptop have expired long time ago.

As I replied, I have just restore my laptop to factory default settings cause I couldn't start my windows after I tried this from the earlier reply.

Sorry - I was obviously even later to the party than I thought
Try this - the Licensing Store may be corrupt.


Recreate the Licensing Store with the correct data.
1) Open an Internet Browser window.
2) Type: %windir%\system32 into the browser address bar.
3) Find the file CMD.exe
4) Right-Click on CMD.exe and select 'Run as Administrator'
5) Type: net stop slsvc (it may ask you if you are sure, select yes)
6) Type: cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareLicensing
7) Type: rename tokens.dat tokens.bar
8) Type: cd %windir%\system32
9) Type: net start slsvc
10) Type: cscript slmgr.vbs -rilc (It may take a long time for this to complete, please be patient)
11) Restart your computer twice.
You may be asked to enter your COA Key and/or Activate. – if asked for the Key, use the one on your COA sticker on the machine’s case (you may need to activate by telephone).

Once complete, run another MGADiag report and post back with the results.

 

[NoelDP]

Noel
Please post anew MGADiag report, and define your current problems if any - I'm getting confused (not too unusual)

 

[noelcwt]

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
Validation Status: Genuine
Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-XY9X3-JDXYP-6CJ97
Windows Product Key Hash: xFQJU8srKsovk6p1Lk1yW93in4E=
Windows Product ID: 89578-OEM-7332157-00211
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.0.6000.2.00010300.0.0.003
ID: {7FDFB795-2FEF-4807-965C-9E11AA5CD702}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 6000.vista_rtm.061101-2205
TTS Error: 
Validation Diagnostic: 
Resolution Status: N/A
 
Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
OGA Data-->
Office Status: 102
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 - 100 Genuine
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 77F760FE-153-80070002_7E90FEE8-175-80070002_025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3_B4D0AA8B-920-80070057
 
Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed
 
File Scan Data-->
 
Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{7FDFB795-2FEF-4807-965C-9E11AA5CD702}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.0.6000.2.00010300.0.0.003</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-6CJ97</PKey><PID>89578-OEM-7332157-00211</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-3351150264-1421152639-2744056330</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Acer           </Manufacturer><Model>Aspire 4710                    </Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Phoenix Technologies LTD</Manufacturer><Version>V1.18          </Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="4"/><Date>20080221000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>E5313507018400FA</HWID><UserLCID>4409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Malay Peninsula Standard Time(GMT+08:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>ACRSYS</OEMID><OEMTableID>ACRPRDCT</OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>102</Result><Products><Product GUID="{91120000-002F-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007</Name><Ver>12</Ver><PidType>19</PidType></Product></Products><Applications><App Id="16" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="18" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="1B" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="A1" Version="12" Result="100"/></Applications></Office></Software></GenuineResults>  
 
Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
 
Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.0.6000.16509
Name: Windows(TM) Vista, HomePremium edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Vista, OEM_SLP channel
Activation ID: bffdc375-bbd5-499d-8ef1-4f37b61c895f
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 89578-00146-321-500211-02-1033-6000.0000-1632012
Installation ID: 176081461474865730922665843100253585826030314210614053
Processor Certificate URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57201[/URL]
Machine Certificate URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57203[/URL]
Use License URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57205[/URL]
Product Key Certificate URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57204[/URL]
Partial Product Key: 6CJ97
License Status: Initial grace period
Time remaining: 20177 minute(s) (14 day(s))
 
Windows Activation Technologies-->
N/A
 
HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: OAAAAAIAAwABAAEAAwABAAAAAgABAAEAeqi4mXcWZNDkTPwfSOQqhg4kBPwIavL0ZHJOGaxWKoU=
 
OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A
 
OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes, but no Windows marker
Windows marker version: N/A
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information: 
  ACPI Table Name    OEMID Value    OEMTableID Value
  APIC            INTEL         CALISTGA
  FACP            INTEL         CALISTGA
  HPET            INTEL         CALISTGA
  BOOT            PTLTD         $SBFTBL$
  MCFG            INTEL         CALISTGA
  TCPA            PTLTD         CALISTGA
  SLIC            ACRSYS        ACRPRDCT
  APIC            INTEL         CALISTGA
  SSDT            SataRe        SataAhci
  SSDT            SataRe        SataAhci
  SSDT            SataRe        SataAhci
  SSDT            SataRe        SataAhci

The SFC scan will not complete either in windows cmd or repair mode cmd. That is the same error I got everytime (if I am able to get an SFC scan done)

 

[NoelDP]

please boot to the Recovery mode command prompt, and run the following command

DISKPART
once the new prompt comes up, enter
List Volume

Make a note of ALL the volumes listed and their letters and other details
type EXIT twice, and reboot.
post the results

 

[noelcwt]

Here's the result

 

[NoelDP]

Very odd!
C: ACER (NTFS)
D: ACERDATA (FAT32)
E: DVDROM
F: My Passport (NTFS)
X: PQSERVICE (FAT32)

The only two partitions which are capable of holding a Win7 system are C: and F: - F: is presumably an external drive?

The C: and D: and X: drives together only come to 149GB (with overhead, perhaps a 160GB drive?)

Please disconnect the external drive while attempting to troubleshoot - it may be introducing factors which complicate matters.

In BOTH the pictures in your earlier post the source drive is C:.
It should not be so, from a Recovery boot - it would normally be X:.
Please reboot to the Recovery console again, and access the Command Prompt option
DO NOT change anything, but sinply check the window header - what exactly does it say?
Now use the following command
SFC /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=C:\ /OFFWINDIR=C:\WINDOWS
what happens??
- remember that it will take some time to complete, so be patient!