Results from a chat with Microsoft Support...
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Lee: I have upgraded from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 8 Pro. I have my entire development environment within the windows xp virtual mode from windows 7. I turned on Hyper V on windows 8 and created a VM connected to the XP VHD. When I boot the
machine it wants to activate XP again. It will not activate either by internet or phone, now what? I have tried entering a volume license key and a retail key.
Hershie: Hi Lee! Thank you for contacting Microsoft Customer Service chat.
Hershie: Please be advised that this chat service is designed to assist you with site navigation, technical support case submission, and customer service questions.
Hershie: If you need technical support, I can provide you with your support options or help you submit your case to the appropriate support professional who can work with you to resolve your issue.
Hershie: How may I assist you today?
Hershie: Please give me one moment to read your issue.
Lee: You still there?
Hershie: Yes.
Lee: Any Luck
Hershie: Did you get any error message after entering the product key?
Lee: The telephone prompter said that the activation code was invalid. Same with both activation keys I used.
Lee: Message Number 45090
Hershie: What is the activation code please?
Lee: You mean the one I provide the telephone prompter?
Lee: Or the product key
Hershie: The one you provided to the automated system.
Lee: It's going to take a few minutes to retrieve.
Hershie: Okay.
Lee: When I go back to the activate by telephone screen it says getting the id, but then shows nothing, where before it was a bunch of numbers.
Lee: Keep in mind this vm was supplied by Microsoft as part of windows 7 and as such never required activation.
Hershie: Have you tried checking our online forums about this?
Lee: I rebooted the VM and now get these numbers - 285633-109853-683715-507640-489103-429302-142683-877483-631710
Lee: I always try the forums first
Hershie: Please give me one moment here.
Hershie: Thank you for waiting, Lee.
Hershie: Can you please provide your product key?
Lee: Again, none was ever required so I looked one up under my MSDN subscription - xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hershie: Thank you for providing the product key.
Lee: I also tried the Window 7 key, and of course that did not work
Hershie: I just want to inform you that Windows XP mode in Windows 7 does not require activation.
Lee: That's what I have been telling you
Lee: All of a sudden it wants activation
Lee: If I do not activate it I cannot use it, not even log in
Hershie: Just want to verify, you are now running Windows 8?
Lee: Yes
Lee: To copy and paste....I have upgraded from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 8 Pro. I have my entire development environment within the windows xp virtual mode from windows 7. I turned on Hyper V on windows 8 and created a VM connected to the XP
VHD. When I boot the machine it wants to activate XP again. It will not activate either by internet or phone, now what? I have tried entering a volume license key and a retail key
Hershie: And on the activation window, does it say 'activate Windows XP'?
Lee: I hate to be crass here, but I am not an Idiot. I have been an IT pro for 20 years. I know the difference in activation windows. So yes its XP activation with in the VM
Lee: VM = Virtual Machine, and its running under Hyper-V on Windows 8
Hershie: In this case, I recommend you work with our Answer Desk Technical Support to further diagnose the issue and provide additional support options.
Hershie: Please click here.
Lee: I have no idea how to get in touch with them
Lee: So I have to PAY for another Microsoft Mistake?
Hershie: No. Please click on the link above to start working with a Technical Support Agent.
Lee: Ok