FLEXlm error: -8 Invalid (inconsistent) license key

Error Message

While installing ArcInfo 8.x, with ArcInfo 7.x keycodes, the following error may occur:

FLEXlm error: -8 Invalid (inconsistent) license key.

Note:
This article pertains to ArcGIS versions 8.x. Later versions of ArcGIS may contain different functionality, as well as different names and locations for menus, commands and geoprocessing tools.

Cause

The license key and data for the FEATURE do not match. This usually happens when a license file has been altered.

Solution or Workaround

Contact ESRI Customer Service to upgrade your keycodes to ArcInfo 8.x.