JSI Tip 6678. When you try to activate Windows Server 2003, Windows Product Activation fails with 'Message number 32777'?

The error message is:

Unable to establish a connection with the activation server. Please check your network settings and confirm that you are able to connect to the Internet, then try again. Message number 32777.

NOTE: You are prompted for a user name and password, but entering then does not result in a successful activation.

This behavior is a result of having Internet Explorer's Enhanced Security Configuration enabled on the server

                    AND

you connect to the Internet through a proxy server where Basic Authentication is enabled.

NOTE: Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration uses certificate revocation and the lookup process involves a URL retrieval. This retrieval is NOT performed in the context of the logged on user.

To activate Windows Server 2003, temporarily turn off certificate revocation:

01. Start Internet Explorer.

02. Use the Tools menu to press Internet Options.

03. Select the Advanced tab.

04. Clear the following check boxes:

        Check for publisher’s certificate revocation
        Check for server certificate revocation (requires restart)

05. Press Apply and OK.

06. Close all instances of Internet Explorer.

07. Open Internet Explorer.

08. Active Windows.

09. Use the Tools menu to press Internet Options.

10. Select the Advanced tab.

11. Check the following boxes:

        Check for publisher’s certificate revocation
        Check for server certificate revocation (requires restart)

12. Press Apply and OK.

13. Close all instances of Internet Explorer.