Offline files won't activate - Vista

The problem is with the offline database. I have had this on a few computers now. I think it must have something to do with the way they are 'SysPrep' before being shipped. I have seen this on both Acer and BenQ laptops.

I have found the following to work.

WARNING: Anything that is stored in the offline database will be DELETED!!!.
However, this shouldn't be a problems if like me you have this problem straight out of the box.

Type the following in the 'Run' prompt ('Windows-Key + R').

Vista Users: You must run the command prompt as an Administrator, to do this do the following:
1 Click on the 'Start' button, bottom left
2 Enter 'cmd' in the 'Search file, but don't press 'Enter'
3 you will now see 'cmd' in the list above.
4 Right-click on the icon and select 'Run as Administrator'
5 This will not start the command prompt with Administrator privileges.


REG ADD "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\CSC\Parameters" /v
FormatDatabase /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

You have to restart the computer in order for the changes to take affect.