Windows 7: Activation Problem

Here is a new one on me.

I re-installed Windows 7 Professional on a Dell machine what was working perfectly with Windows 7 Professional before the re-install. The hard drive had crashed so I replaced it.

The Windows 7 Professional install went perfectly. I used the Windows 7 Professional DVD that is supplied by Dell to do the re-install.

Once the machine was working and I downloaded the updates it needed; I figured I would activate it right away. See the screen shot.

No matter what I do nothing activates it. If I click to enter the key and add it from the COA on the box everything goes fine. I reboot and then it still says I need to activate in 3 days. If I click on Buy now it goes to MS web site and downloads a bunch of stuff to check things adds the new WAT software and then tells me everything is fine. If I click on the contact Microsoft it opens help and if I click on links there I go back to MS web site with the same thing happening stating everything is ok.

Ideas?????

When I click on the activation I get this screen.

When replacing the drive did you backup the recovery partition information at all? On any prebuild the preactivation depends on that was well as the original serial number for the drive the system came with. That is part of the hardware profile.

Unfortunately no it was a mechanical failure.

Curious- What's Dell's tech support recommend?

Since it's under warranty did they supply you with the new drive?

I pulled one of my Drives from stock and will back fill it with the Dell replacement when it comes in. This is for a friend. Computer crashed I figured it was a quick 30 min Windows 7 install. How wrong I was. Gotta love computers.

I have not called Dell yet. I was hoping for a quick fix from all the awesome people here.

WindowsStar,

As you probably already know, when you use the OEM dvd, you are attempting an OEM activation. This kind of activation is achieved through the correct combination of 3 distinct components i.e. correct Bios SLIC table, correct OEM certificate and correct edition SLP key (not COA key). The Dell oem dvd supplies the correct certificate and key but your bios must have Dell 2.1 SLIC for the combination to work.

Did your machine come with Windows 7 preinstalled? In that case, it would have SLIC 2.1 in the bios already and installation/ reinstallation with the OEM dvd would result in automatic activation. If that is not happening, theres probably a problem with the dell dvd and your best bet would be to do a phone activation. There are ways to install the certificate and key manually but I would not advise those since, if you have a legit license, you should not be using those. Also, OEM activation would not be affected by hardware changes since it is only dependent on the 3 components I mentioned earlier. The deactivation caused by hardware changes is peculiar to retail installs.

If your machine did not come preinstalled with Windows 7 and your manufacturer did not provide a bios update (for SLIC 2.1), then you cannot legally activate with that oem dvd.

Yes you are correct on all accounts. I have never had this issue before the DVD normally just installs and ever asks for the Key. Just as this install did. However the machine keeps telling me to activate, which I have not had to do in the past. I figured this was something different with this machine so I used the KEY on the COA on the box for Windows 7 Professional. That did not work so I posted a quick note here.

Yes the machine came pre-loaded from Dell with Windows 7. I was hoping I missed something or there is an issue with WAT and I needed to do something. I had hoped someone had seen this before and had a quick fix. I can call Dell tomorrow and I know they will fix it. Maybe the drive crash is not the complete problem. I did check Dells site for BIOS updates and I have the same version on the machine that is listed on the Dell site.

And this is how WAT is to insinuate itself. Slowly, quietly, without fanfare or negative press.

WindowsStar,
Just FYI, some of the early Dell keys were blacklisted by MS because they were used to hactivate Windows 7 by pirates. Its possible that the key your dvd is trying to install is one of those blacklisted keys. Theoretically that key should activate but fail MS validation. In your case, darn thing is not activating at all, so ya call Dell/MS.

And torture you on a quick install to help a friend. UGH!