I had that problem too. But I realized it was just a bug in the error message system. My problem was that when it brought up the place to put in the cd key It already had some numbers in the box. I just didn't pay attention and clicked okay. That was one problem. The other problem you may have is that you put the wrong cd in. I have to cds with visual basic on them and only on is the right one. I don't know if this is normal as I picked gasp some copys of it up at a yard sale.