Cannot activate windows from iso file (this is a default key)?

[jamesuk1981]

Hi, unfortunately my Lenovo e530 laptop run into a little issue recently and i was looking for a way to reinstall windows but without having to do a whole factory reset, as with the built in setup files, there only appears to be the option to restore to factory default and no 'repair only' install where it would keep files / programs etc..

Anyway i found the latest iso of windows 7 64 bit pro, which is what was on mine in the first place, i assumed that the setup would automatically find my old key and just accept it and activate without any issue, but thats not the case

when i try to activate it i keep getting the following message:

'The product key you have entered appears to be a default product key and cannot be used for activation. type a different windows 7 pro key'.

although the product id does show as the correct one.

What am i going to do, is there a way around this without me having to just wipe my laptop and do a factory reset?

Thanks

James

 

[Ztruker]

The product key you need to use is on the COA sticker, usually on the bottom of the Laptop, sometimes inside the battery compartment.

Where did you get the Win 7 Pro X64 ISO? If not from here: Windows 7 Direct Download Links I'd suggest downloading from there and trying again.

 

[jamesuk1981]

That is where i got it from, and i used software called magical jelly bean keyfinder, it gave me my product id and key, the id was the same as the one in system properties but when i pasted the key into the activate part i get that msg above.

 

[Ztruker]

No good. Magic Jelly bean shows you the key used by Lenovo, a MKV or VLK I think it's called and cannot be used to reactivate after an install.

You must use the key from the COA sticker. If it matches the key Magic Jellybean showed you then call Microsoft and they should take care of it. See here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html

 

[AddRAM]

This is the COA on the bottom of the laptop that Rich is talking about, this key can be used on that machine over and over to activate windows.

 

[gregrocker]

Read over the steps in Clean Reinstall Windows 7 which compiles everything that's worked best in tens of thousands of installs we've helped with over the years here, and has been used by over a million consumers without a single complaint.

If yours doesn't compare then I'd do it over.