Activation key out of uses, need to do fresh install of Windows

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  1. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 / Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x64
       #1

    Activation key out of uses, need to do fresh install of Windows


    I built my gaming PC about a year or two ago, since then it's been my main computer, not just a gaming PC, and has gotten filled with useless junk I no longer need. The GPU has also started to crash quite a bit recently (ever since I installed the new driver).

    So I plan to do a fresh install, the problem is, the product key for my Windows 7 Home Premium x64 disk has been used the max amount of times (all product keys have 3 uses (apparently), I used this one on my gaming PC, the new family PC, and then on my Macbook Pro (however, I ended up having to reinstall it to my Macbook as I was messing around with rEFIt trying to get Linux on there alongside OS X and Windows 7 and bricked the thing (luckilly there's that recovery hard drive on there, so I can still use OS X))).

    Anyways; is there any way to do a fresh install with this disk despite they key being completely used up?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 72,036
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #2

    Hello Zukaro,

    Is this a family pack copy of Windows 7 Home Premium, or just a normal retail full Windows 7 Home Premium copy?

    Will it still only be installed on a total of only 3 computers and no other?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 / Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I think it's just a normal retail version; as when we bought it I only planned to use it for one PC.

    As for it being installed on only 3 PC's and no other yes; the only computers that I have which can even run Windows 7 are the 3 I've mentioned.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 72,036
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #4

    A retail product key number can only legally be activated on one installation (computer) at a time and not any other computer without uninstalling it any previous installation.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 / Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Oh; well then it's probably a family pack (as the two computers running Windows 7 now using the same product key are both connected to the Internet and it's never told me that it's not genuine or anything like that).
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 72,036
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #6

    If it's a family pack, then you will be able to legally install and activate it as often as you like as long as it's only activated on up to 3 computers at once, and formatted from any others.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 / Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x64
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Then I've got no clue what I'm doing. :P
    As I have it currently on two computers, but when I try to install it on my Macbook it tells me that it's not genuine each time.

    *will try again however*
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 72,036
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #8

    First step would be to find out if you have a family pack copy or not, and if it's a upgrade or full version. It really depends on what you have for why you may be getting this. Do you have any of the packaging or paper work for it to help determine this?

    Does any one of the Windows 7 boxes at the link below look like the one you got?

    https://www.google.com/search?q=Wind...w=1623&bih=890
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 / Ubuntu 12.04 LTS x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    No; the box I have looks like this just without that white sticker on the front top.

    http://www.winsupersite.com/content/...d75b515e04b1d2

    However, that might be a box in the box (although I don't remember ever having a box like those ones you showed me and I doubt there'd be a box in a box).
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 72,036
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #10

    Well, about all you can do is try to do a phone activation and talk to the operator to get it activated.
      My Computer


 
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