You receive a "Your CD key cannot currently be validated" error message in Age of Mythology or in Age of Empires III

When you try to log on to Ensemble Studios Online (ESO) to play Microsoft Age of Mythology or Microsoft Age of Empires III, you may receive the following error message:

This problem occurs because only one specific CD key can be logged on at a time on ESO. For example, if you have installed the game on two computers by using the same CD key, and one computer is currently logged on to ESO, you cannot log on by using the other computer.

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods:

Method 1: Wait five minutes

You have to wait about five minutes after you log off a user name before you log on by using a new user name. This permits the system time to clear out your user name that is associated with the CD key.

Method 2: Create a new account in Age of Mythology

To create a new account in Age of Mythology, follow these steps:

1. Start Age of Mythology.
2. Click Multiplayer, and then click Online.
3. Click New Account.
4. Follow the directions that appear on your screen.

Note You must wait five minutes before you try to log on to ESO by using the new user name if you were previously logged on with a different user name.

Method 3: Install Age of Mythology or Age of Empires III by using the CD key that is included with each copy (if multiple copies are purchased)

If you log on to ESO with different computers at the same time, install Age of Mythology or Age of Empires III on each computer by using different CD keys. To install Age of Mythology or Age of Empires III on different computers, use the CD key that is included with each copy of Age of Mythology or Age of Empires III.