Windows 7 Activation Problem

Recently, I had a problem with my laptop which resulted in it having certain booting problems. After recovering, Windows asked me for the activation key. I did not have one given to me by the seller of the product, neither do I have any form of Product Key sticker on my comp. I tried many programs such as Magical Jelly Bean Finder, WinKey Finder(something like that), Belarc Advisor etc. All of them did find a key. But when I used it to activate my product, Windows said that the key i entered was a 'Default' key. I tried contacting windows customer care and the likes, but did not get a single reply. Can anyone help me?

Yes, if you indeed have a default key and you have paid for the OS, then you have been defrauded. Default key is the trial key that lets you use win7 in grace period before you actually activate with your purchased key. If you post the last 5 alphanumeric of the default key, I can confirm for you.

If you buy a laptop with windows 7, then it must have a hidden partition which stores windows install files, if you install the windows from there I think it should not ask for any keys..
If you bought a retail/oem dvd in the shop, then you got a sticker with it.
Did you buy the laptop from a trusted seller (not a friend), with windows 7 installed?

bill2 said:

yes, if you indeed have a default key and you have paid for the os, then you have been defrauded. Default key is the trial key that lets you use win7 in grace period before you actually activate with your purchased key. If you post the last 5 alphanumeric of the default key, i can confirm for you.

3mbmv

speedgamer01 said:

If you buy a laptop with windows 7, then it must have a hidden partition which stores windows install files, if you install the windows from there I think it should not ask for any keys..
If you bought a retail/oem dvd in the shop, then you got a sticker with it.
Did you buy the laptop from a trusted seller (not a friend), with windows 7 installed?

yeah, we got it from a trusted supplier. win7 was already installed.

it might help u guys to know that the comp was also reformatted.

Yes, 3mbmv is the default win7 ultimate key.

Now, where did you buy this computer from? All OEM computers have a sticker with a product key. Yours doesnt which means either you bought this machine with no OS loaded (freedos etc.) or you bought it second hand and the original owner removed the sticker along with windows, among various possibilities.

As I said if you have paid for the OS, go nag the seller or inform MS. Otherwise buy a license.

piezoelectron said:

it might help u guys to know that the comp was also reformatted.

Dude, to reformat you need a licensed win7 copy. What key did you input when the machine was formatted?

ok, thanks, i'll update again soon with any news.

Taking a shot in the dark here, but did you try looking under the battery (removing the battery)? I've seen a few brands use this tactic to protect the sticker.