Problems with validity of Windows after switching computers.

[dalewebster1993]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone could help me sort out a problem I've had for a couple of months. I can't find any similar stories on the internet so I'll try my best to fully explain the situation.
When I bought my laptop, it was installed with Windows Vista. At the time we bought two of the same laptops, one for me and one for my sister. My sister eventually broke hers and stored it away. Mine was still fine when Windows 7 was released so I bought an upgrade package to Home Premium, available to use for one computer. A short time after, my laptop completely died. Instead of buying a new laptop, I decided I'd switch some components between mine and my sister's broken one, as hers only had a broken screen. In the end, I have ended up with my sister's old laptop, my LCD and my Hard Drive. The computer works fine, the problem is that Microsoft think I'm trying to steal their software as it was installed on a different computer. They want me to prove that I own the License for Windows 7 by entering the Serial Number for the OS that should be on the sticker on the Laptop. The problem here is that this Laptop was installed with Vista, it's only 7 because it's my HDD. So neither serial work.
Does anyone have any ideas for me to prove to MS that I bought this. I can't find a number to ring or anything. I'm in the UK by the way.
Thanks for reading

 

[marsmimar]

Part of the problem IMO is the one key, one computer rule. Too many parts have been switched around so the internal checks now think the 7 is being installed on more than one machine. You might have some luck contacting customer support UK:

Microsoft Worldwide Sites

And welcome to the Forum dalewebster1993.

 

[myzr7]

Dale You could try this tutorial
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html
Option number three. Not sure if this is the same as changing a hard drive. Sounds borderline to me but if you bought a retail copy of win 7 you should be able to load it on whatever machine that you like as long as it is only activated on one.
http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/113645-can-not-activate-after-clean-install.html

 

[dalewebster1993]

Thanks for the responses guys! I gave option 3 a shot but it didn't work, told me my Windows 7 key could not be used. I'm gonna try ringing the customer service tomorrow, hopefully they won't make it too difficult. Thanks for finding the number for me

 

[marsmimar]

Thanks for the responses guys! I gave option 3 a shot but it didn't work, told me my Windows 7 key could not be used. I'm gonna try ringing the customer service tomorrow, hopefully they won't make it too difficult. Thanks for finding the number for me

Please post back and let us know what Microsoft had to say. Emphasize that you cannibalized parts from an identical machine to make one working laptop and offer to send them the non-working parts for their own internal verifications. Maybe that will help your cause.

 

[gregrocker]

If you bought a retail Win7 upgrade then you can move it to any hardware combination or machine you want as long as it is only installed on one at a time.

If it fails activation again, call MS Customer Service. They validate the key and then open a support case to get it installed properly. It may need to have one of the workarounds if it was installed to clean HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

You can also try removing the Product Key entirely to reinstall it, thus updating the hardware signature. This is what I do if I move Win7 to another machine: run slmgr -upk from elevated Command Prompt.

If this Upgrade was bought from the computer maker then contact them.

 

[cluberti]

Sounds like this was an OEM upgrade given the failure to activate (retail would re-activate at least 5 times, OEM will reactivate never). If that's the case, you will probably have to follow gregrocker's advice and get the OEM to provide you with a way to activate. Microsoft doesn't support OEM Windows installations; the OEM does.

 

[gregrocker]

Sounds like this was an OEM upgrade given the failure to activate (retail would re-activate at least 5 times, OEM will reactivate never). If that's the case, you will probably have to follow gregrocker's advice and get the OEM to provide you with a way to activate. Microsoft doesn't support OEM Windows installations; the OEM does.

This may have been true pre-XP but not in Vista or Win7. You can reactivate Win7 retail or OEM keys reinstalled to same hardware as often as you want.

If hardware changes, it may require a robocall to update the hardware signature.

If you insert the OEM Product Key from COA sticker, it will normally require a robocall to sort the exact product key from batch key on sticker.