When you try to install Windows Vista, the Windows Vista Setup program does not validate genuine product keys as expected. Additionally, you may receive an error message that resembles the following:

Setup cannot validate your product key. Please review product key and ensure that it has been entered correctly.

This problem occurs when you use a third-party program to extract an ISO image of Windows Vista onto a local hard disk drive.

Notes

• The WinRAR data compression utility is an example of a third-party program that experiences this problem.
• This problem does not occur when you perform either of the following actions:
  • You burn an ISO image of Windows Vista onto a DVD.
  • You use a third-party program to mount an ISO image of Windows Vista on a virtual DVD drive.