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Exceeded the usage allowed by the product key

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Keith Weisshar Posted: Thu, Apr 30 2009 10:27 AM

I have Grand Theft Auto IV for the PC and am getting an error message You have exceeded the usage allowed by the product key when I try to sign in to live from within the GTA IV PC game.  How can I get this issue fixed?  I have uninstalled and reinstalled the game and the GFWL client multiple times.  The revoke function is only for SecuROM activation but does not free up the product key from the Live account and after too many reinstallations my product key got locked out from GFWL.

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LIVE Team

This seems like an issue that may be most easily resolved by contacting technical support via telephone.  Here are the instructions to get through to a Games for Windows - LIVE technical support agent.  Currently we do not have an entry in the interactive voice recognition (IVR) software, so you'll have to ask specifically to be escalated to a Games for Windows - LIVE agent once you get a general LIVE agent on the line.  Additionally, the IVR responds to spoken words, so you'll need to speak your choices.

North America Only
Dial 1-800-469-9269
Say: "Technical support"
Say: "Xbox LIVE" (Yes, you have to say Xbox LIVE to get to the proper support centers who can forward you appropriately, this will be resolved once we get an IVR specific to Games for Windows - LIVE in place.)
Speak the phone number you want to be called back at in case of a disconnect
Have your gamertag ready
Remember: Once you get an agent on the phone, make sure you tell them specifically that you have a problem with Games for Windows - LIVE on the PC and you need to be escalated to a Games for Windows - LIVE agent.

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Male
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... GFWModerator,

Did you ever consider making that recurring post your signature?? Stick out tongue

Actually, I meant that as a joke to start with, but hmmm...

It could be:

==================================================================================================

If mine or anybody else's answers above not solve your problem you could always:

Contact technical support via telephone.  Here are the instructions to get through to a Games for Windows - LIVE technical support agent.  Currently we do not have an entry in the interactive voice recognition (IVR) software, so you'll have to ask specifically to be escalated to a Games for Windows - LIVE agent once you get a general LIVE agent on the line.  Additionally, the IVR responds to spoken words, so you'll need to speak your choices.

North America Only
Dial 1-800-469-9269
Say: "Technical support"
Say: "Xbox LIVE" (Yes, you have to say Xbox LIVE to get to the proper support centers who can forward you appropriately, this will be resolved once we get an IVR specific to Games for Windows - LIVE in place.)
Speak the phone number you want to be called back at in case of a disconnect
Have your gamertag ready
Remember: Once you get an agent on the phone, make sure you tell them specifically that you have a problem with Games for Windows - LIVE on the PC and you need to be escalated to a Games for Windows - LIVE agent.

Top 200 Contributor
Posts 42

I called Microsoft and asked to be escalated to the GFWL agent and complained that I have exceeded the usage allowed by the product key.  They need to call me back within 24 hours.  Why do I need to wait for a callback from Live support?

Top 200 Contributor
Posts 42

I'm having problems getting this fixed over the phone with 1-800-4MY-XBOX.  I tried to escalate the call to the Games for Windows Live agent.  The agents told me to call RockStar to get a new Product Key.

Top 200 Contributor
Posts 42

I'm locked out of the online profile in Grand Theft Auto IV for the PC because I have reinstalled this game and signed in too many times after reformatting.  I have revoked the license each time I needed to reformat.  I'm only using one PC.  The retail DVD version of the game says on the box unlimited installations and requires DVD in the drive to run.  I called RockStar and they said the DVD installation is unlimited but the Games for Windows Live activation is limited.  I am locked ot of the multiplayer game even though I paid full price at a local retail game and this is not a pre-owned copy.  It was a factory sealed retail box at the time of purchase.  The problem is due to too many reinstallations.  I have called 1-800-4MY-XBOX many times and they are not helpful.

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Posts 42

Does signing out, then deleting a profile and then signing back in also count against the install limit?

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Posts 117
TravZug replied on Fri, May 1 2009 10:11 AM

i have installed gta, 11 times on the same PC and never got that message, but i heard of people getting that message after using the same key for multiple games, and i heard that 1 key only can be activated on 3 different PC's, not sure how many times though. I've bought games with no keys in them but tech support just asked for receipt and then they e-mailed it to  me.

Top 200 Contributor
Posts 42

I have already reformatted and reinstalled the OS a large number of times and that's what causes this error.

Top 200 Contributor
Posts 42

Does GFWL uses hardware hash or a random GUID each time I reinstall GFWL.  Does deleting the Xlive folder cause another activation to be used up the next time I sign in?

Top 200 Contributor
Posts 42

Why is GFWL limiting the number of times the games can be reinstalled before being locked out of GFWL.  That type of activation is not revokable unlike SecuROM.  Is there a way to send a complaint about this activation limit?  I burn up those limited activation if I either uninstall and reinstall the game and GFWL, reformat the hard drive and reinstall or even just delete the XLive folder.

 

Top 200 Contributor
Posts 42

Can the BBB do anything about this issue?  Why is the number of activations limited even when using the key on only one account and one PC?  I don't like this policy because I paid $50 for the game.  I should be allowed to reinstall as many times I want.

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