Windows 7 Won't Activate - Blocked Key

Hi everyone, I purchased a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate from Bayswater Solutions on Amazon.co.uk.

Windows 7 will not activate. The key has been blocked. I have used the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation tool and the software is valid.

I tried the phone validation and received the same response. The key has been blocked. I phoned Microsoft Support who told me that the software was only valid for use on a network of 5 or more machines with a domain controller. It is not valid for home use. Is this accurate?

I had some trouble installing Windows. I attempted to upgrade from Vista multiple times and the upgrade failed. In the end I did a clean install. I have read that if you install the operating system too many times this can cause the key to be blocked. Can I please have your opinion. Do you think Microsoft is correct and that I have been sold a bad key or do you think the problem is that I caused the key to be blocked by running the installion too many times?

Many thanks for your help.

Running the installation too many times shoudnt matter, as long its on the SAME hardware.

Are you sure MS said the key is valid on a network of 5 or more machines? Volume activation in win7 via KMS server (company server) requires that the KMS server must receive activation requests from at least 25 products before it will grant activation. MAK keys, OTOH have no such minimum no. requirement though there is a max limit to the no. of activations possible. So I dont know what MS is talking about.

As far as passing validation is concerned, that is immaterial because unactivated windows will pass validation by default.

On the whole, it does look like a bad key. Try downloading and running the MGADIAG tool, then click on the Copy button at the bottom of that tool, paste to notepad and save as .txt file, then upload that text file in your next post.

Ya, had a look at the mgadiag output, this is what it shows:

Windows Product ID: 00426-067-7177776-86157

You likely have a MSDN product key (Windows 7 Product ID numbers 065, 066, or 067 are MSDN keys) and it is blocked because the product key you have was likely sold illegally.

More specifically Product Id (PID) numbers 065, 066, 067 are for Windows 7 Ultimate, 220 range for Windows 7 Professional and 230, 231 numbers for Home Premium.

See here for more details.

Blocked Keys (Was EBAY Keys)

Arrrrggghhhh, all I can say is that is one convincing fake. All the disc holographics are perfect, legitimate looking sealed box. The reseller won't return my correspondence which is a good indication they're up to no good. Any UK viewers Bayswater Solutions. DO NOT purchase from this reseller.

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it. Now I've got to find another 133 pounds for a new key before my OS gets locked. Why is Apple eroding Microsoft's market share again?

Thanks again.

Good day, I am writing on behalf of my girlfriend who has updated to Windows 7 a few months ago.
She asked a professional to revamp her PC and he then also installed Windows 7.
Unfortunately he did not insert a valid CD key as she had paid for.
She then bought Windows 7 Professional.
The Windows 7 she has installed on her PC however is not Windows 7 Professional. It was told to her that all she needs to do is put the first CD in and then type in the product key and it will "overwrite" the previous version which I think might be Windows 7 Ultimate Edition.
Either way the Windows 7 version she has now is a different version because she has tried putting in her product key and it displayed a message that it was basically for another version.
I would like to know if it is in fact possible to just put in the Windows 7 Professional CD and enter the product key or if she runs the danger of the program formatting her hard drive.
She has one hard drive in the computer and she has lost the CD's with the drivers for her computer on it.
Is it safe for her to proceed doing so without losing any data?
And does it matter what type of Windows 7 she has for it to update to the Professional version?
She is not that knowledgeable in computer software and she is at this moment in another country.
I myself am also quite new to Windows 7 (I do not own it myself yet because the specs of my laptop does not require the minimum recommendations) so I am not quite sure what to do.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to a hasten reply.
- Gerrit
Belgium.

Please start a fresh thread rather than trying to tack onto another.

Thank you.

Gerrit - The solution you seek is here: Switching from Ultimate to Professional without reinstalling ?

why not purchase directly from microsoft? if you likely to have an MSDN key that was blocked from activation, it only means that you dont have a credible reseller or vendor, you took the risk of having or buying cheap products that you are not even sure of its authenticity These keys are being sold usually online, like ebay, newegg.com, tigerdirect etc..

if you are going to question the legality of your suspected MSDN product key, you may call windows genuine advantage hotline, provide your product key, let them verify it and accept the bitter result that you are screwed up. options will be provided to you to buy another key in a discounted price, which is a good offer from microsoft. MSDN keys are tied with a subcription that if ms find out that it is being used outside its licensing terms or it was used on a completely different machine, chances are it will get blocked. if you suspect your packaging is convincingly perfect and has a COA, previous subscriber violated the EULA of licensing terms right before they use it, and you are the victim. you will be the one who will use a violated copy of windows.

buying from microsoft will ensure you peace of mind and confidence on your software.