I re-installed my OS fresh, and used the key given on the sticker on the bottom of my laptop, but it is saying the key is invalid!
What I am thinking MIGHT be happening is this: The OS I installed has SP1 pre-installed. I'm thinking this might be messing with the activation. But, before I go freaking out, what can I do?
Might be SP-1 or might be a different version (ie retail when you need OEM becuase it was preinstalled.
. Just download win 7 without sp-1 and the key should work. Sine it came pre-installed you need that version.
Their is no need to activate if you reinstalled your laptop's original OS. If not you must use the key for whatever you used.
Clean installs always need activation.
Correct - BUT OEM_SLP installations using the Recovery Media will self-activate, rather than needing internet or telephone activation.
In this case, the OP needs to use Telephone Activation, as the first time the COA_SLP Key is used, it is blocked, and requires a manual override by the Activation operator.
@kbronski - you need to activate by telephone....
telephone activation (operator calls)
Click on the Start button
in the Search box, type
SLUI 4
and hit the Enter key
follow the instructions - but when asked which service you require by the telephone ansafone, do NOT reply - this should force an operator to respond, who can deal with
I'll try the telephone activation. Thanks for letting me know! This is not the first time I've re-installed the OS, so the key may have been blocked after the last time I used it.
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