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slmgr.vbs: permission denied
Fetched: September 21st, 2008, 9:45am CEST

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Author: leeroberts21
Forum: Windows Vista
Date: 2008-09-21

Today I decided to install Vista SP1, however after some reading I found out that since I had a dual-boot setup, I would have to reinstall the vista boot loader before I could install SP1. I followed all of the instructions I found, using EasyBCD, reinstalled the vista boot loader, and restarted so I could hopefully begin the SP1 installation. The computer booted up straight into windows, no problems with the boot loader, then windows started up and the trouble started along with it. As soon as windows finished loading, I was at a black screen with only 3 options: access computer with limited functionality, enter a new product key, and shut down. I tried to enter a product key for another vista to hopefully at least get back into my computer so I could use some sort of crack, however all vista ultimate cd keys give me the 'slmgr permission denied' error.
Next step, I try to install a crack using explorer.exe in limited functionality mode. Open the command prompt IN ADMIN MODE, run crack, slmgr permission denied again.
So now I reboot into safe mode w/ no networking to give that a try and see if I have better luck. Open the command prompt IN ADMIN MODE, run crack, slmgr permission denied. Who does this slmgr think he is? I go to c:windowssystem32 and try to edit the properties of slmgr, but everything is grayed out. I was able to see however that the only user who has full access to slmgr is "TrustedInstaller" which I am guessing is something to do with the vista setup. So, even in admin mode, I can't access slmgr in any way. No cracks, no -rearm, and the DATE 12/31/2099 trick had no effect.
I read on these forums that it was a good idea to uninstall all old cracks using the VOATK program, so I give that a try. They uninstall successfully. I try to install vistaloader, which was the next thing suggested here, but once again I get slmgr permission denied.

After this I try multiple random other things including system restore, but all to no avail.

Once again, let me stress that EVERYTHING I TRIED WAS IN ADMINISTRATOR MODE, before someone makes a comment about me not running as admin.

Is there any way around this short of completely reinstalling windows? Doing this would require me to download windows again, and purchase a new cd/dvd drive because for some weird reason, mine is incompatible with the Vista installer. So I am seriously hoping there is some way to re-enable slmgr since all of the cracks seem to rely on it.

(Edit: The only other thing I can think of right now is to reinstall grub and hope that by some miracle it makes everything work like it used to, though i'm 99.9% positive that this won't happen. Nonetheless, I'm downloading Ubuntu again so I can reinstall grub just to cover all my bases.)

It seems that all I need to do is be able to access slmgr.vbs, but it also seems that this may be what vista's security is based around, so it may not be possible. But you guys are a lot more knowledgeable on this subject than I am so hopefully someone knows something that I don't. Thanks for reading and hopefully I'll get some good news in the replies.