Activation problem

Hi,

Just fitted a new hard disk having rebuilt my system last week and copied an image of the original disk onto the new one.

Windows activation is telling me I can't use the product key to activate Windows on this PC.

Is there any way round this other than ringing up MS and explaining what's happened?

Thanks

Jonathan_King said:

Hello clummzie,

No, other than doing illegal activation workarounds (which will not be discussed on these forums), your only other option is to call Microsoft.

Here is a page with the phone numbers: Microsoft Volume Licensing - Activation Centers

Hope this helps,
~JK

Thanks Jonathan, thought as much.

Just tried that automated number and it wants me to key in a 6 digit installation number on my screen.

Any idea what that's about as I only have the unlock code (looks like a CD key) and a Product ID, neither of which starts with 6 digits?

Am I better off speaking to a person?!

OK, cheers.

Will see what I can do tomorrow and post back my success story!!

Try this:

Activate Windows 7 by Phone

Where did you originallly get Windows 7? Do you have a Product Key on DVD insert or stickered to machine?

When you copied it to new HD, did you clone or copy over image using disk manager?

Does it start up to Windows 7? What exact error message does it give and when?

Try changing out the key at Computer>Properties ilnk to aclimate to new hardware, then make the robocall if necessary to MS. Or try a Repair Install, which fully resets activation and allows you to reinsert the key for new hardware.

Where did you originallly get Windows 7? Do you have a Product Key on DVD insert or stickered to machine?

Downloaded from IRiver (student offer) so as emailed products key and burnt a DV from the downloaded image

When you copied it to new HD, did you clone or copy over image using [COLOR=#0072BC ! important][COLOR=#0072BC ! important]disk [COLOR=#0072BC ! important]manager[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]?
Copied image using acronis

Does it start up to Windows 7? What exact [COLOR=#0072BC ! important][COLOR=#0072BC ! important]error [COLOR=#0072BC ! important]message[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] does it give and when?
When booting to new disk I get as far as 'configuring desktop' screen then a blank greenish/blue screen with the build and 'not genuine copy of windows' in the bottom left corner - no error.



Try changing out the key at Computer>Properties ilnk to aclimate to new [COLOR=#0072BC ! important][COLOR=#0072BC ! important]hardware[/COLOR][/COLOR], then make the robocall if necessary to MS. Or try a Repair Install, which fully resets activation and allows you to reinsert the key for new hardware.
Thanks, will try later.

Reactivated by phone in the end as per Theog's suggestion.
Thanks to all who replied with help

clummzie said:

Reactivated by phone in the end as per Theog's suggestion.
Thanks to all who replied with help

That's good news.

You are welcome.