windows 7 enterprise activation issue with Lenovo T400

johnqsack · 06 Oct 2011

My parents recently bought me a Lenovo T400 thinkpad. It came with Windows 7 Enterprise installed on it but it keeps saying that im activation key is incorrect/invalid. I've done some research and have came to the conclusion that it was previously used for some company that had volume licenses for this laptop.

1st. Am I right to make that assumption, and how can I keep windows 7 enterprise without having to purchase it since its already on my laptop and every time i sign on it keeps asking me about it and changes all my settings?
2nd. If i were to change softwares i can get windows 7 professional from my university but would i lose all the software from lenovo thats already on here like; fingerprint reader, updater, power controls etc.... and its ability to boot up in 20-25 seconds?

thank you in advance.

theog · 06 Oct 2011

Is ther a Product Key Sticker on PC.

NoelDP · 07 Oct 2011

Enterprise is not legally distributed with retail PC's - it is an Ugrade version only available in bulk to organisations for use on their own PCs.

If you ar not a member of such an organisation, then the installation is either counterfeit, or a copy of the Trial version (with a 90-day life).
It seems from your messages that it's the latter - which means that your supplier has at least been economical with the truth.

IF your machine has an OEM COA sticker on the case, for which version and edition of Windows is it valid?

What is the make and model of the computer? - You may be able to order a set of Recovery disks from teh manufacturer for a modest fee.

johnqsack · 08 Oct 2011

Ibm t400

theog · 08 Oct 2011

theog said:

Is ther a Product Key Sticker on PC.

Yes or No

NoelDP · 08 Oct 2011

NoelDP said:

IF your machine has an OEM COA sticker on the case, for which version and edition of Windows is it valid?

Well? - what about the other question I asked?

johnqsack · 08 Oct 2011

there is a product key on it but its for windows vista...and i dont have a copy of vista nor do i want to install vista on my laptop i would rather have windows xp.

carwiz · 08 Oct 2011

Buy a copy of Windows 7 Pro-64 (Can be OEM). You can then get a free copy of XP to run in a VM if you want. You can also download all the Lenovo utilities and drivers here: Lenovo Support - Home (US)

Otherwise, you're stuck where you are--Using unregistered software that you will never be able to update.

Layback Bear · 08 Oct 2011

I recommend wiping the drive. Buy what ever Windows operating system you want and do a clean install using your new key.

NoelDP · 09 Oct 2011

johnqsack said:

there is a product key on it but its for windows vista...and i dont have a copy of vista nor do i want to install vista on my laptop i would rather have windows xp.

In that case you need to revert back to Vista using the manufacturer's Recovery partition or disks.
You can then upgrade to Win7.
If you want to be able to use XP - use XP Mode (which is free) in Win 7 Pro or Ultimate, which will maintain your ability to use older programs while giving you the chance to get used to a modern operating system (it does take a while, but it's worth it in the end)

Something like 90% of copies of XP for sale - especially on eBay or in the Amazon MarketPlace - are counterfeit. It's just not worth the risk.