Re-Image Classmate - Rookie teams

[jlindquist74]

-E12 DRV image - Windows won't activate. Are there any further details on where this process fails? Does it prompt for a product key, provide an error message, or something else?

With the E09 DRV image, I get a failure to activate Windows. It gives the error code 0x8007232B, and a "more information" link. Clicking that text opens a dialog box to explain the error code: "DNS name does not exist". On the off-chance there was something wrong with my local DNS server, I changed my network settings to get DNS from Google's public servers (8.8.8.8 and 4.4.4.4) Activation failed with the same error. It did not ask for another product key.

[Kevin O'Connor]

Jason,

We have tested and successfully activated a copy of that same image downloaded from the Intel site here at FIRST. Attempting to activate on our guest WiFi network here in the building has been shown to result in one of a few different errors including the one you posted. We have not yet been able to identify what is causing this, but if you have the ability to try activating on another network (at the team site vs at home, etc.) I would recommend trying that.

While we continue to develop troubleshooting steps for teams experiencing activation issues I do want to remind everyone that Windows 7 has an activation grace period of 30 days so teams can proceed with setting up and testing software while waiting for troubleshooting information on getting Windows activated.

[TimO]

Using the E12_DEV_etc image download
1. Requires 8.1GB - had to go buy the 16GB flash
2. Activation fails. MS message includes:
"current installed product key is designed for a different kind of activation than the one valid for Windows on your PC" please contact your system administrator etc.

TimO
FRC4662 mentor

[jlindquist74]

Thanks, Kevin!

The error pattern is very consistent. I've seen the $8007232B ("DNS name does not exist.") error both on my home network and on the school's network. We also have a robot test network at school, where I get error $8007007B ("The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.")

My home network sits behind a Linux server doing the usual "IP masquerading" port address translation. The school network is also PAT'ed through unknown hardware and software, with heavy (unpublished) port filtering as an added bonus. The test network is attached to the school network through a Linksys E1000 WiFi router.

(The district is still running Windows XP. If there's an obstacle to the MAK activation process used for Vista, 7, and 8, it's not a problem our IT department would have encountered. Retail activations of Vista are known to succeed.)

[Robert Steverson]

We have had problem after problem with our Classmate and Image.

First - We started our Classmate straight out of the box and Windows 7 would not activate. So we attempted to Reimage.

Second - The Image on our USB Stick was corrupt and would not image our Classmate. Made new Image USBs using both E12_DRV_2014_171213.7z and E12_DEV_2014_171213.7z files. Both work fine to Image the Classmate, but neither will allow Windows activation.

Third - After all Images are applied, our Classmate defaults to 800X600 screen resolution and cannot be changed. The option to change resolution is greyed out. The only video driver loaded is the Standard VGA Graphics Adapter. This is a BIG problem since the only reason we are using the Classmate is to run the Driver Station, which requires a minimum resolution of 1024X600. We can only see 2/3 of the driver station on the screen making our Classmate completely useless as a Driver Station. I am surprised that an INTEL Image file downloaded from an INTEL website would not include the INTEL drivers for an INTEL chipset on an INTEL machine.

[Robert Steverson]

Jason,

We have tested and successfully activated a copy of that same image downloaded from the Intel site here at FIRST. Attempting to activate on our guest WiFi network here in the building has been shown to result in one of a few different errors including the one you posted. We have not yet been able to identify what is causing this, but if you have the ability to try activating on another network (at the team site vs at home, etc.) I would recommend trying that.

While we continue to develop troubleshooting steps for teams experiencing activation issues I do want to remind everyone that Windows 7 has an activation grace period of 30 days so teams can proceed with setting up and testing software while waiting for troubleshooting information on getting Windows activated.

When we try to activate our Windows 7 on the Classmate is says we only have 7 days remaining to activate Windows.

[Robert Steverson]

In order to Activate Windows after reimaging, follow these instructions...

OK, found a solution.

Go to the 2011 KOP website, download the Windows 7 Activation files, unzip it and run the application.

After this you can activate Windows.

Thanks to Mill from FRC4470 for saving our RQBS

Only problem with this solution is the link to download the Windows 7 Activation files has been removed from the 2011 KOP Website. Still lists the files in the description, but no hyperlink to allow downloading.

[Robert Steverson]

We have had problem after problem with our Classmate and Image.

First - We started our Classmate straight out of the box and Windows 7 would not activate. So we attempted to Reimage.

Second - The Image on our USB Stick was corrupt and would not image our Classmate. Made new Image USBs using both E12_DRV_2014_171213.7z and E12_DEV_2014_171213.7z files. Both work fine to Image the Classmate, but neither will allow Windows activation.

Third - After all Images are applied, our Classmate defaults to 800X600 screen resolution and cannot be changed. The option to change resolution is greyed out. The only video driver loaded is the Standard VGA Graphics Adapter. This is a BIG problem since the only reason we are using the Classmate is to run the Driver Station, which requires a minimum resolution of 1024X600. We can only see 2/3 of the driver station on the screen making our Classmate completely useless as a Driver Station. I am surprised that an INTEL Image file downloaded from an INTEL website would not include the INTEL drivers for an INTEL chipset on an INTEL machine.

OK. We got the problem fixed with our screen resolution by contacting CTL Support. Turns out that the images created by using either E12_DRV_2014_171213.7z or E12_DEV_2014_171213.7z were not properly installing the E12 video drivers.

[Matt Pilotte]

OK. We got the problem fixed with our screen resolution by contacting CTL Support. Turns out that the images created by using either E12_DRV_2014_171213.7z or E12_DEV_2014_171213.7z were not properly installing the E12 video drivers.

Hi Robert, can you elaborate on this problem and explain the fix from CTL's support team? We haven't run into this issue when using either E12 image from the Intel site on the E12 units we have here in FRC Engineering.

[Robert Steverson]

Hi Robert, can you elaborate on this problem and explain the fix from CTL's support team? We haven't run into this issue when using either E12 image from the Intel site on the E12 units we have here in FRC Engineering.

When we imaged our E12 the graphics suddenly went to a distorted view, similar to watching a standard TV show on an HD TV using the stretch feature. When we went to change the screen resolution, the only option was 800X600 which was actually greyed out and not able to be changed. The only display driver that was available was the Standard VGA driver that ships with Windows 7. We reimaged our E12 6 different times, making new USB images each time, 4 times using E12_DRV_2014_171213.7z and twice using E12_DEV_2014_171213.7z. Each time we experienced the same problem with the display drivers.

Today I went to CTL's Support site, started a chat with their support, and told them what was happening. They went straight to the display drivers not being loaded and sent me a link to download the driver file from their ftp site. Unfortunately, I have misplaced the paper that I scribbled the link onto and cannot find it. From their site I downloaded a .zip file, extracted all files, and ran setup. After a quick restart...our E12 is working perfectly...except we cannot activate Windows 7. I did keep the .zip file in case I encounter a similar problem in the future.