New
#1
Can't activate Windows (used 3 different isos)
I'm trying to reformat my friend's Windows 7 laptop. He lost the cd, so I figured I would just download an OEM Windows 7 Home Premium and use the key on the laptop. It absolutely refuses to take the key though, I've used 3 different isos now, including the disk I got with my laptop from Dell. I had this problem with Windows XP home isos not working with a Windows XP home key, but it turned out there were OEM keys, volume keys and a few other types I forget. I figure this is the case with Windows 7, but OEM doesn't seem to be working.
Can anyone help me figure out what kind of key I have so I can get the right iso? The laptop is an HP dv4 series.
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I think I might have it. He bought it from Best Buy, so it's not an OEM key (says the guy who had to try 3 isos to figure that out) it's a retail key! Here's a great reference for anyone else tripped up by this problem, I'm downloading a retail iso now which should hopefully be solving this problem.