When you try to use Windows Genuine Advantage in Microsoft Windows XP, you receive error messages. This article contains step-by-step instructions that you can use to try to resolve this problem and to use the Windows Genuine Advantage validation process.
This article is intended for a beginning to intermediate computer user.
You may find it easier to follow the steps if you print this article first.
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When you try to use Windows Genuine Advantage validation on a Windows XP-based computer, the validation process is unsuccessful. Additionally, you receive one or more of the following error messages:
Error message 1Product Key Inaccessible
Error message 20x80080212
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This problem occurs if you do not have the correct permissions to run Windows Genuine Advantage. To resolve this problem, follow these steps.
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Step 1: Restart in safe mode
| a. | Restart the computer. |
| b. | When the startup screen is displayed, press F8. |
| c. | Use the arrow keys to select a safe mode option for your Windows XP installation, and then press ENTER. |
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Step 2: Adjust Windows Genuine Advantage permissions for users
| a. | After the computer is restarted, click Start, click Run, type the following command, and then click OK:
%systemdrive%\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Windows Genuine Advantage |
| b. | In the Windows Genuine Advantage folder window, right-click the Data folder, and then click Properties. |
| c. | In the Data Properties dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click Users (Computername\Users) in the Group or user names section. |
| d. | In the Permissions for Users section, make sure that each check box in the Allow column is selected for the following permissions:| • | Read & Execute | | • | List Folder Contents | | • | Read |
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| e. | Click OK. |
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Step 3: Try Windows Genuine Advantage validation again
For more information about Windows Genuine Advantage and to start the Windows Genuine Advantage validation process, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
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