Win 7 Pro not activating after clean install

[jabso]

Hi all,
I recently bought a new ASUS laptop that came pre-installed with Windows 7 Professional. I wanted to perform a clean install so I could remove a lot of the pre-installed software that comes with it.
My laptop DID NOT come with a windows install cd.
I downloaded a version of windows pro, the link I used can be found here [removed by admin] . They are links to a windows installer from Digital River.


I used my product key in the installation and it seemed to accept it there.
However a few days later, Windows Activation pops up and asks me to activate it. So I enter the code in but it says "the windows 7 professional product key you typed is invalid for activation". It suggested I activate by phone.

After typing in the 54 digit code Windows Activation gave me the voice message said that I have exceeded my limit of activations of this product code.

I also have updated online at microsoft.com/genuine and it says it has been validated and I can now enjoy windows etc etc.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction here as to how to get this activated, hopefully without having to lose all my files and programs.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MadMaxData]

If your using the key from a sticker on your PC, it won't work. It never does. You might want to just keep trying Microsoft, but talk to an operator next time.

 

[Product FRED]

I don't think you can use an OEM key on a retail installation. ASUS should have supplied you with a restore CD. Do you at least have a recovery partition? If so, use that. Then download and run Revo Uninstaller to uninstall and remove traces of any unwanted programs (removes unused files and registry keys), or use PC Decrapifier , which is meant to be run on new, out-of-the-box system to automatically seek out and remove trialware and bundled software.

PS: Usually, the manufacturer will ship you a free Recovery Disc if you ask them.

 

[jabso]

I'm not sure if I do have a recovery partition. Is there a way to find out?

I think I'll call microsoft and try to get an operator to help me out as I don't want to uninstall all my programs.

Funny thing is I ran this microsoft genuine advantage diagnostic and it states it's been activated and validated.

 

[Product FRED]

Computer Management -> Disk Management. Your C:\ drive should have your primary partition, your system reserved partition (usually 100MB), and another partition several GB in size, which would be for recovery (set by ASUS).

See if it's really activated by trying to install MSE. It will only install on a valid copy of Windows.

Also, have you tried this? Change Windows 7 Key | How to Change Windows 7 Product Key

 

[wee]

type disk manager in the search and it will bring up the virtual partitioner take a look at what is there, take a pic and post it.

 

[jabso]

Ok phone activation works.

You might want to update your FAQ on phone activation and warn others about this:

after typing in the 50 odd digit code be sure to answer 1 to both questions after it. Otherwise you are locked out for at least 24 hours (maybe 2 or 3 days!). The questions basically ask if you are trying to install this on another computer, I didn't understand the 2nd question so I pressed 2 instead of 1.

 

[manhunter2826]

I recently bought a new ASUS laptop that came pre-installed with Windows 7 Professional. I wanted to perform a clean install so I could remove a lot of the pre-installed software that comes with it.

Quite admirable but sledgehammer/nut? Surprised Asus pre-installed such tremendous amount of bloatware, they are usually one of the better build manufacturers.

 

[jasin]

Hi all,
I recently bought a new ASUS laptop that came pre-installed with Windows 7 Professional. I wanted to perform a clean install so I could remove a lot of the pre-installed software that comes with it.
My laptop DID NOT come with a windows install cd.
I downloaded a version of windows pro, the link I used can be found here LEGAL Windows 7 Download Links (Just like Vista before!!!) . They are links to a windows installer from Digital River.


I used my product key in the installation and it seemed to accept it there.
However a few days later, Windows Activation pops up and asks me to activate it. So I enter the code in but it says "the windows 7 professional product key you typed is invalid for activation". It suggested I activate by phone.

After typing in the 54 digit code Windows Activation gave me the voice message said that I have exceeded my limit of activations of this product code.

I also have updated online at microsoft.com/genuine and it says it has been validated and I can now enjoy windows etc etc.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction here as to how to get this activated, hopefully without having to lose all my files and programs.

Thanks in advance.

Troubleshoot activation problems

 

[Pixelpro]

You can only use a product key 1-5 times... and it says it activated because someone else has done that, leaving microsoft to think thats you....
Some people are sooo stupid; never download a bloomin windows 7 from a forum... even if the key is there... it will have been used many of a time :/

 

[jasin]

I agree with always using a legit key, one that came with the system or box, and not one you'd get off the web.

 

[jasin]

You can only use a product key 1-5 times... and it says it activated because someone else has done that, leaving microsoft to think thats you....
Some people are sooo stupid; never download a bloomin windows 7 from a forum... even if the key is there... it will have been used many of a time :/

And what should a person like me do on the 6th time if they cannot do the phone activation thingy and the web activation fails?

 

[Product FRED]

The issue is that you cannot use an OEM key with a retail installation. Your computer came with an OEM installation provided by ASUS. That's why it's not going to work. Use PCDecrapifier to get rid of all the bundled stuff automatically and use Revo Uninstaller to get rid of anything else you don't want.

 

[FZ21Z]

The issue is that you cannot use an OEM key with a retail installation. Your computer came with an OEM installation provided by ASUS. That's why it's not going to work.

It's been a week since the user stated they've got it activated.

 

[Product FRED]

Crap wrong thread lol. I thought I was replying to a very similar thread.

 

[jasin]

All this activation stuff is just driving up costs and not really preventing any piracy.

 

[Heroxoot]

I had this issue with vista after 1 reformat with a store built pc. Had to get a real person who almost didnt speak english to activate it.

 

[jasin]

I had this issue with vista after 1 reformat with a store built pc. Had to get a real person who almost didnt speak english to activate it.

I had the same problem with activating XP. What a nightmare that was. I see activation hasn't got any better with windows7. I actually had problems myself activating windows7 via the web with a legit legal key and copy of windows.

 

[Tews]

I had the same problem with activating XP. What a nightmare that was. I see activation hasn't got any better in windows7. I actually had problems myself activating windows7 via the web with a legit legal key and copy of windows.

And your point is?? :huh:

 

[jasin]

I had the same problem with activating XP. What a nightmare that was. I see activation hasn't got any better in windows7. I actually had problems myself activating windows7 via the web with a legit legal key and copy of windows.

And your point is?? :huh:

Was agreeing with what another poster said.