I will try that as option 2. In my experience, never rely on the generosity or compassion of others when you want something. Especially when there's the possibility of cash involved
Ive hooked up this old hard drive and in the partition I created for back up etc it has Windows System Image amongst other things.
Should I follow this tutorial to create a disc then try to reinstall that way?
The nice helpful man at Microsoft just blocked my Windows 7. I am so done with this.
The Key you are using has been blocked from activation since July 2009 - before Windows 7 was launched.
It was NEVER a Key which could be activated through either internet ot Telephone activation.
Did you not explain about your sticker?
Before Windows 7 launched? Then how come when I installed Windows onto my new Hard drive and typed that in, it didn't have a problem with it?
And yes I did explain about my sticker etc but I could tell he wasnt interested and doing a scripted response, telling me to contact the manufacturer or provide proof of my Windows 7 purchase, after telling him three times that it was preinstalled.
I explained that I still have this original installation on a hard drive that will not boot etc. so I can't just do a repair install etc...
So frustrated. There's no point contacting Samsung, right?
I can't be the only person in this position. And now that the guy says the Product is blocked, is there any point attempting to do some kind of Samsung Recovery - since it will need the thing he just blocked?
Ok have done some reading up and am I right in saying that using a Samsung Recovery thing it bypasses the need to type in the number on the sticker?
Didn't get any disks with the laptop so I assume it is in the Recovery Partition of my old hard drive? I was able to access this using Ubuntu Live CD and I assume will be able to hook it up to my laptop now and maybe run it or something?
Sorry for being pessimistic, I would have been lost without great help so far but for almost a week I have been tearing my hair out with one problem or another.
Below is what I see in Disk Management when I connect the old hard drive. Here you can see the Recovery I was talking about highlighted.
Really appreciate any help with this.
Please red my posts.....
Your PC came with TWO keys.
1) The OEM_SLP Key - which is the one can ONLY you had previously been using, and which can only be activated using proper Recovery media.
2) The COA_SLP Key - the one on the sticker, which is unreadable.
The OEM_SLP Key cannot be activated by phone or by internet - it relies on special software found ONLY in the recovery media, together with the BIOS of the machine, too be able to self-activate on EVERY boot of the machine.
The COA_SLP Key MUST be activated by telephone or Internet.
You have already got the OEM_SLP Key - it's the one currently installed.
It CANNOT and will NEVER activate - because the media used for installation were not the proper Recovery media.
You need to order a set of media from Samsung - on DVD - and reinstall from that. It will contain the special code that allows self-activation.
If you can clone the Recovery partition from the old drive, it MAY work - depending on how the system was set up - but getting the proper media direct from Samsung is a better option, unless you can persuade MS to part with a replacement Key.
Thanks. And I did read. Until you explained there it made no sense.
The way I understood it was that the guy had just blocked the 'automatic key' that is specific to my laptop and requires no activation and that now my machine would only accept a brand new version of Windows. Please tell me this is not the case.
The discs available from Samsung will install Windows using the OEM SLP key that does not require me to type any key in during installation. Samsung provide these but obviously are not authorised to hand out new Windows Keys, only Microsoft can do that (if they feel like it...)
Am I right so far?
I literally have no idea why I have this Key written down - and laminated - on a piece of paper.
He did nothing - except read the Key status from the computer screen (badly!)
They are *supposed* then to request that you read the COA sticker Key back to them so they can check it properly.
This is your opportunity to say it's illegible, and you need a new one (and pretty, pretty please would he be a nice little man and let you have one?.....)
Let's just check the Key you have written down -
If it ends 2BT4J then you can throw it in the bin, as it's the OEM_SLP Key.
If it ends PGGTG you can also thow it in the bin, as it's the Default (or Keyless Install) Key which won't activate under any cricumstances whatever.
If it's ANYTHING else, then post the last three blocks of the Key, and I'll do what tests I can (basically a google search and my archive search) and see what I can find.
Lol guy sounded half asleep so maybe he was on autopilot. The key was already blocked, he made it sound so powerful, I was like"Noooooooooooo...." But yeah, it ends in 2BT4J.
I called up the number again and said 'Look I need advice here...'
The guy said that if I call Support when the lines open on Monday then someone there might be able to help me recover my COA key or issue a replacement key. I take it I will need date of purchase with Serial number etc?
It's worth a shot but I'm contacting Samsung also to find out about recovery discs. I have just cloned the recovery partition from the broken drive, is this basically the same info that Samsung would send me on a disc? ie burnable and bootable?
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