Did M$ just kill my key!? Can't activate...

hoakman · 05 Jun 2010

Hi! I just built a new computer and installed Win7 Home Premium (bought from amazon, not OEM version) on it and when i tried to activate it online an error came up telling me "The product key you typed cannot be used to activate Windows on this computer.". And i'm like WTF!?, i thought you could activate Windows 7 on several computers not just use the same liscense at the same time. And then i tried to activate via phone, and everything seemed to work well until it asked me how many comnputers i have installed this liscense on, and as stupid as i am i answered 2... And when i try to activate it via phone again it tells me the product key is not valid!!!!!! WTF!! Seriosly, did M$ just kill my liscense key just because i answered wrong??? If that's the case, then that really is ****ed up!! I cannot even contact support now without paying 100 ****ing dollars to the most evil capitalist company in the world because it says that my product ID is invalid... So if someone has some suggestions to how i can fix this or something then that would be extremely appreciated... Thanks!

EDIT: Oh, and i forgot to mention that on the old computer i had the 32-bit version and on this 64-bit, if that has anything to say...

Tews · 05 Jun 2010

Windows can only be activated on one computer at a time ... You will need to purchase an additional key if you want to install it on another computer...

hoakman · 05 Jun 2010

Really? I heard you could install the retail version on defferent hardware... I thought that just applied to the OEM version. Anyways i am not using the old computer anymore i just wanted to move over the liscense to the new one and that was mainly the reason why i bought the retail version and not OEM.

Dark Nova Gamer · 05 Jun 2010

Tews said:

Windows can only be activated on one computer at a time ... You will need to purchase an additional key if you want to install it on another computer...

hoakman said:

Really? I heard you could install the retail version on defferent hardware... I thought that just applied to the OEM version. Anyways i am not using the old computer anymore i just wanted to move over the liscense to the new one and that was mainly the reason why i bought the retail version and not OEM.

Basically..

He installed Windows (32-bit) on his old computer using the key that is not working right now, then installed Windows on another computer (64-bit version) while not using that key on the first computer.

Essentially you can use the key on different hardware as much as you please (to a certain extent) you just cannot use the key on two or more computers at the same time. OEM versions do not allow you to use that key on different hardware (mainly a different motherboard).

Since you did not get an OEM version, you were not subjected to that restriction.

Tepid · 05 Jun 2010

No,, you are confused.

OEM is tied to one PC for the life of that PC, it goes in the trash when the PC does.

Retail = You can install it on One PC and Activate it on that PC, but is allowed to be moved compeltely to a different PC at will.

Ok,, I read things wrong and corrected the post.

Just call MS to activate, explain the issue poiltely and they will probably resolve the issue for you.

But with the attitude of your first post,, you wont get anywhere.

If you don't like Windows or the company. Don't buy, don't use it. There are alternatives.

have a Nice Day.

Kari · 05 Jun 2010

Windows 7 is not very old yet, but as many other heavy users, I've re-installed it, several retail editions, on several rigs, countless times. I have never had any re-activation problems when first "removed" the activation. Here's a post that tells how it's done.

hoakman · 05 Jun 2010

Just have to say thank you very much for your replies everyone and i am sorry for using some strong words in the first post i was just so irritated of the weakness of the activation system. I will call them tomorrow and explain them what happened. Hopefully they will activate the key for me. Thanks again for responding PEAOPLEZZZ!

Dark Nova Gamer · 05 Jun 2010

hoakman said:

Just have to say thank you very much for your replies everyone and i am sorry for using some strong words in the first post i was just so irritated of the weakness of the activation system. I will call them tomorrow and explain them what happened. Hopefully they will activate the key for me. Thanks again for responding PEAOPLEZZZ!

Good luck. I know how it feels to be frustrated with that thing.

I got Windows 7 Ultimate from that Windows 7 Party Pack. I reinstall a lot, so I used the key so much that it started forcing me to phone activate EVERY TIME.

Most recent time when it asked how many computers I've installed it on, I said one. It asked 3 times and I kept saying one. It eventually said I violated the EULA and put me through to some guy who didn't even understand me fully that eventually activated my laptop (Before it died) and .. yeah.

Err anyways. Good luck :)

Max Peck · 05 Jun 2010

hoakman said:

Just have to say thank you very much for your replies everyone and i am sorry for using some strong words in the first post i was just so irritated of the weakness of the activation system. I will call them tomorrow and explain them what happened. Hopefully they will activate the key for me. Thanks again for responding PEAOPLEZZZ!

I have dealt with Microsoft on these types of issues several times. They have always acted professionally. With a reasonable explanation of the situation you will not likely have any difficulty getting it resolved. People like to complain about Microsoft but I have never found them any less than top-drawer when it comes to helping their customers.

Just remember - there's always one license per machine. That's simply the way it works. One engine per car.

-Max

mpcrsc562 · 05 Jun 2010

DarkNovaGamer said:

Tews said:

Windows can only be activated on one computer at a time ... You will need to purchase an additional key if you want to install it on another computer...

hoakman said:

Really? I heard you could install the retail version on defferent hardware... I thought that just applied to the OEM version. Anyways i am not using the old computer anymore i just wanted to move over the liscense to the new one and that was mainly the reason why i bought the retail version and not OEM.

Basically..

He installed Windows (32-bit) on his old computer using the key that is not working right now, then installed Windows on another computer (64-bit version) while not using that key on the first computer.

Essentially you can use the key on different hardware as much as you please (to a certain extent) you just cannot use the key on two or more computers at the same time. OEM versions do not allow you to use that key on different hardware (mainly a different motherboard).

Since you did not get an OEM version, you were not subjected to that restriction.

Tepid said:

No,, you are confused.

OEM is tied to one PC for the life of that PC, it goes in the trash when the PC does.

Retail = You can install it on One PC and Activate it on that PC, but is allowed to be moved compeltely to a different PC at will.

Ok,, I read things wrong and corrected the post.

Just call MS to activate, explain the issue poiltely and they will probably resolve the issue for you.

But with the attitude of your first post,, you wont get anywhere.

If you don't like Windows or the company. Don't buy, don't use it. There are alternatives.

have a Nice Day.

Doesn't really add to the conversation, but I'm living proof that this is not always the case...:) (I have an OEM Vista Home Premium x64 pre-Service Pack disc that has been successfully installed on three different motherboards. And if "luck" still goes good, it will be installed on yet another board within the next week)