Windows validation will not validate an activated and genuine windows installed.

Hi Ron220,

You may try flashing the BIOS of the system. You can download and install the latest BIOS update from the link below:

http://dell.to/N6u34S

On the link, enter the system Service Tag and click on ‘Continue’. Select the operating system and it will display a list of available downloads. BIOS update would be listed under the ‘BIOS’ category.

Please let me know how you reinstalled the Windows. Did you use a retail disc or the Dell OEM Windows disc?

If to have a Dell OEM Windows disc, I would suggest that you reinstall the Windows by booting to the disc.

Please backup all important data (Pictures, Music, Videos, Documents, Favorites, etc.) before reinstalling the Windows.

Perform the following steps to boot from the Windows disc:

1. Insert the Microsoft Install DVD into the DVD drive of the computer.
2. Restart (or power on) the computer.
3. Press the key as soon as the keyboard lights up.
The Boot Menu appears.

4. Click ‘CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive’ and then press the key. A window appears that says ‘Press any Key to Boot from a CD or DVD’. Press a key on the keyboard.

You may refer to the following link for a complete guide to re-install the Windows on your Dell computer:

http://dell.to/j6ImBB

On link above, select the operating system that your computer is running.

After reinstalling the Windows, you would need to install the drivers and applications.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions. I will be glad to help.

Do you have a firewall active, it may be blocking the validation tool? Try the direct download links of Service Pack 1 for 64 or 32 bit respectively (they should be downloadable without the validation tool):

windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe

windows6.1-KB976932-X86.exe 

Once Service Pack 1 is installed the problem may be resolved.

Turned off firewall and no change. Can't  get updates or validation. Need help - this is ridiculous.

On your machine sometimes under the battery there will be a sticker with a windows key, if that key isn't working call microsofts activation line and tell them the key and explain you have a dell machine.  They should give you a new OEM key.

The key must be working because it has activated windows and it has confirmed it's genuine. What I was told last night was with Microsoft's privacy protection for their software they have made it difficult for customers that have older versions of their software. I was further told there's a way to disable the protection but they gave me no further advice. I can't even download "Explorer" because it requires Service Pack 1 and Microsoft will not download it correctly. Thanks for the advice.