0xc004f063 Error Says not genuine windows

[riccardo]

Hi,

I had to replace a failed HDD in a Win 7 laptop. The laptop is An Acer 5738Z (Intel CPU), and without any setup CD. I have another laptop which is the AMD version of this one so is very similar. I do have a Win7 CD for this and have used it to install windows on the 5738Z. It all seemed to work fine and I used the CD key which is printed on the target machine so I thought that all the licencing should be ok.

It seems not, I am getting an error 0xC004F063 which says the BIOS version is not right.

I feel surprised that it has a problem since the Win7 disc used is supplied by Acer (although for my AMD laptop).

Does anyone know of a way around this problem?

 

[gregrocker]

You can use any retail disk to clean reinstall factory OEM with the Product key on COA sticker, as long as it is same version: Reinstalling Windows 7

Your problem is likely using the Acer-supplied Reinstallation DVD for another computer which has the SLP (factory) activation slipstreamed into it.

Did you have to type the Product Key?

Try changing the Product Key at Computer>Properties to the one on the COA sticker. If that doesn't work find a Win7 retail installer to use to do the clean reinstall so that the SLP activation on the Acer DVD doesn't interfere.

 

[riccardo]

Thanks. I always had trouble using retail discs with an OEM key when installing XP. It would always say the key is not valid. Is this different for win 7? I will give it a try.

 

[cluberti]

Windows 7, unlike XP, doesn't have the activation baked into specific variants of the OS on the DVD itself (which is one of the ways XP was so easy to pirate - acquire a VLK version) - all of the installations are the same. The activation happens when the OEM provides a specific file in a specific place in the OS image when they build it, which when a PC is thus installed from that image causes Windows to check the ACPI_SLIC table in the BIOS to see if the file contents/signature and the BIOS table match - if they do, activation is successful, and if not, you get the above error you are seeing (yes, there's more to it than that, but to keep this post short I've summarized it in layman's terms).

Ultimately, you simply need to activate with the key on the bottom of the machine, assuming you're installing the version of Windows that matches the key on that sticker, of course .

 

[gregrocker]

Is the DVD you reinstalled with an Acer-branded Win7 Reinstallation DVD? What does it say on it exactly?

An Acer reinstallation DVD likely has SLP activation baked in which avoids the need to activate in the same way the Factory Recovery Disks (loaded with bloatware) do. But using one meant for another computer could foul activation.

You might be able to change the Product key to the one on the COA sticker at Computer>Properties. If not, open an Elevated Command Prompt, type slmgr -ipk followed by a space and the COA Product Key. Then activate at Computer>Properties link or running another command to slmgr -ato.

If this fails and continues non-genuine prompting then you'll need to start over with a retail Win7 DVD following the steps I gave you to get a Perfect Reinstall.

To further answer your question, retail and OEM installers are the same starting with Vista. The issue here is possible SLP factory activation meant for another machine interfering with COA activation.

 

[theog]

You can Order Acer recovery disks from here:
https://secure.tx.acer.com/RCDB/Main.aspx?brand=acer

 

[riccardo]

The Acer DVD was an upgrade one although I have since used it to do a clean install on my laptop with no problems.

I have tried first an upgrade install using a retail CD. Still same result. I then formatted it and did a clean install with retail cd. It just tells me "the product key is invalid for activation".

 

[gregrocker]

Most often there are characters typed incorrectly. Triple check.

Try MS phone activation. There should be a link to it on the activation-fail screen.

 

[riccardo]

No, it seems to disable this. No phone option

 

[gregrocker]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

 

[Bill2]

Run this tool, click Continue, click Copy, paste into notepad, save a .txt file, upload the file here.

go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

 

[riccardo]

Yeah, i tried, it just does not present me with the other options

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
 
Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-WJ2H8-R6B6D-7QJB7
Windows Product Key Hash: ckKNc+BBPDWmo1LUlOkraNjlQ34=
Windows Product ID: 00359-OEM-8992687-00006
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.1.7600.2.00010300.0.0.003
ID: {0F140D3C-B40D-4A4E-B461-EB62E0665286}(3)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Home Premium
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 7600.win7_gdr.110622-1503
TTS Error: 
Validation Diagnostic: 
Resolution Status: N/A
 
Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
OGA Data-->
Office Status: 109 N/A
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3
 
Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed
 
File Scan Data-->
 
Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{0F140D3C-B40D-4A4E-B461-EB62E0665286}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7600.2.00010300.0.0.003</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-7QJB7</PKey><PID>00359-OEM-8992687-00006</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-3781369672-369319873-2772389549</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Acer </Manufacturer><Model>Aspire 5738 </Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Phoenix Technologies LTD</Manufacturer><Version>V1.18 </Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="5"/><Date>20090917000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>AFBB3607018400F8</HWID><UserLCID>0809</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>GMT Standard Time(GMT+00:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>ACRSYS</OEMID><OEMTableID>ACRPRDCT</OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults> 
 
Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
 
Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7600.16385
 
Name: Windows(R) 7, HomePremium edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, OEM_SLP channel
Activation ID: d2c04e90-c3dd-4260-b0f3-f845f5d27d64
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00359-00178-926-800006-02-2057-7600.0000-2822011
Installation ID: 003736813375268034365652935812385510558906302075626104
Processor Certificate URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338[/URL]
Machine Certificate URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339[/URL]
Use License URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341[/URL]
Product Key Certificate URL: [URL]http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340[/URL]
Partial Product Key: 7QJB7
License Status: Initial grace period
Time remaining: 42960 minute(s) (29 day(s))
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 09/10/2011 20:02:27
 
Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: N/A
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: N/A
ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:
 
 
HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: MgAAAAEAAgABAAIAAAACAAAAAgABAAEAeqhympjBEsd6f3RXriZkE2xH1F8k0FjqRso=
 
OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A
 
OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x20001
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information: 
ACPI Table Name    OEMID Value    OEMTableID Value
APIC            PTLTD              APIC 
FACP            INTEL         CRESTLNE
HPET            INTEL         CRESTLNE
BOOT            PTLTD         $SBFTBL$
MCFG            INTEL         CRESTLNE
SLIC            ACRSYS        ACRPRDCT
SSDT            BrtRef        DD01BRT
SSDT            BrtRef        DD01BRT

 

[Bill2]

riccardo, I'm having trouble believing your story for the following reasons:

1) In your first post, you said you used the Acer disk from another acer machine to install windows. Now, you failed to inform us whether or not the target machine actually came with win7 preinstalled or not. Obviously it did not, thats why you got that error 0xC004F063 (bios is not right), which simply means that since the bios in the target machine lacked the correct marker, offline oem activation failed since a restore disk would look for that.

2) Then gregrocker advised you to clean install and activate with the sticker key. You did not apprise us of the results, likely because theres no such key (your sticker key is a vista key, not win7). Using a vista sticker key to offline activate win7 will produce that error "product key is invalid".

3) In post #7, you said you then used a retail disk. A retail disk needs a retail key or sticker key which again there is no evidence of your possessing.

4) The mgadiag log shows the acer home premium oem slp key. What happened to your sticker key and retail key? the log also shows the bios marker now which makes me think you're using illegit means.

5) Your bios is dated September, 2009, a bit early for oem win7. Also IIRC, aspire 5738z came with vista preinstalled.

6) In another post you stated you used an Acer upgrade dvd. If you're referring to the free OEM upgrade-to-win7 programs that used to be around in the early days of 7, then you should know that the product key included in that upgrade package is a retail/ non-SLP OEM key (has to be activated online), in any case the free upgrade for one machine cannot be legally used on another machine.

However, if I'm wrong and this computer came with legit windows 7 preinstalled, all you need to do is change the product key to the one on the sticker and you're set. Or enter the retail key, again you're set.

 

[riccardo]

Ok, let me make things clear.

The laptop I am installing to is an ACER 5738Z. It came pre-installed with Windows 7. The HDD failed, so I have replaced it. The Licence sticker is worn and mostly illegible so I have used Jellybean keyfinder to extract the key from the old HDD. Fortunately it was still able to read the disk enough for this. The key it gives me does match up with the few letters I can see on the sticker so we can be certain that everything is legit.

The other laptop that I do have a DVD for is an ACER 5536, it came pre-installed with Vista and the DVD was provided as an upgrade. When I got the DVD, I formatted the drive and installed Win7 clean and all is fine.

I am using a legit key, but the problem is obviously down to the SLP crap Microsoft are using. Do I really need specifically a disk for the 5738Z for it to accept the key? How does a computer repair shop deal with this, surely they can't need to buy a disk for every possible laptop model?

 

[Bill2]

The old hdd that died- did you ever install/reinstall win7 on it or did it have the factory windows always?

 

[riccardo]

As far as I know, it always had win7 on it. It does have a Win7 branding sticker on it too.

 

[Bill2]

What I asked was did you ever reinstall windows 7?

 

[riccardo]

On the old HDD? No, it's busted and wont format.

 

[Bill2]

My friend, when the dead hard drive was still alive and kicking, did you ever reinstall windows 7 on it or did you continue with what you had purchased till it died?

 

[Bill2]

Have to be away so lemme wrap this up from my side. If you continued with the factory install on the old hdd, then you're lying about the key because the factory slp key (that jellybean extracts) never matches the sticker key. OTOH, if you had indeed reinstalled windows and activated with the sticker key you'd probably never have started this thread, lol.

So your options are- if you actually possess a genuine license for this machine (which i greatly doubt), clean install windows from a retail disk (you already have one), skip inputting the key during the install and uncheck the box "Activate when I'm online", then activate by changing the product key manually and activate, use phone activation if required. This works for the rest of the world, it should work for you. Option 2- order a set of recovery disks from Acer for your particular model.