Solved Can't activate Windows 7 upon reinstall

[dswift]

This is a mess. It started when my update to Windows 10 destroyed my SSD hard drive (and damaged my GPU), but that's another story.

I had a spare hard drive kicking around, so I reinstalled Windows 7 professional off disk and built everything back up. The problem was that it did not accept my activation code on the sleeve of the disk envelope. I skipped it at the time, but now, thirty days later, it is an issue again. I just called Microsoft and they say call the store where I bought the disk. I don't remember what store that was. And to make things more confusing, before making this post, I ran the diagnostic test which reveals most of the activation on the Windows 7 running in the computer, and it is nothing like the one on the sleeve of my disk.

It's aggravating, because if it weren't for Windows 10 I wouldn't be in the position. But is my only way out to spend MORE money on Microsoft products?

Thanks for any help.

Doug

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
 
Validation Code: 50
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-CM74G-RPHKF-PW487
Windows Product Key Hash: 71BRYMECVaSXedfumfu8zryHJVY=
Windows Product ID: 00371-177-0000061-85307
Windows Product ID Type: 5
Windows License Type: Retail
Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048
ID: {E96142A4-DAC9-48CE-BD21-0E237D27149E}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Professional
Architecture: 0x00000009
Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_gdr.150928-1507
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 (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.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>{E96142A4-DAC9-48CE-BD21-0E237D27149E}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010100.1.0.048</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-PW487</PKey><PID>00371-177-0000061-85307</PID><PIDType>5</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-1227288909-2356847598-568604102</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>To Be Filled By O.E.M.</Manufacturer><Model>To Be Filled By O.E.M.</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>American Megatrends Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>P2.60</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="7"/><Date>20131210000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>A8FF3407018400F4</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Eastern Standard Time(GMT-05:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM/><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults>  
 
Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
 
Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.1.7601.17514
 
Name: Windows(R) 7, Professional edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, RETAIL channel
Activation ID: e838d943-63ed-4a0b-9fb1-47152908acc9
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00371-00170-177-000006-00-1033-7601.0000-2672015
Installation ID: 009553325651925154049441191284527954402262999472281822
Processor Certificate URL: [URL="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338"]SpcService Web Service[/URL]
Machine Certificate URL: [URL="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339"]RacService Web Service[/URL]
Use License URL: [URL="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341"]UseLicenseService Web Service[/URL]
Product Key Certificate URL: [URL="http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340"]PkcService Web Service[/URL]
Partial Product Key: PW487
License Status: Notification
Notification Reason: 0xC004F009 (grace time expired).
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 10/26/2015 3:26:40 PM
 
Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: 0x00000000
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: 9:26:2015 09:21
ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:
 
 
HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: MgAAAAEABAABAAEAAAACAAAAAQABAAEAHKImUQQJyoHCG3TEwr+Oy4C0DCy0Wc4MyPY=
 
OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A
 
OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes, but no SLIC table
Windows marker version: N/A
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: N/A
BIOS Information: 
  ACPI Table Name    OEMID Value    OEMTableID Value
  APIC            ALASKA        A M I
  FACP            ALASKA        A M I
  HPET            ALASKA        A M I
  MCFG            ALASKA        A M I
  FPDT            ALASKA        A M I
  ASF!            INTEL          HCG
  SSDT            PmRef        Cpu0Ist
  SSDT            PmRef        Cpu0Ist
  SSDT            PmRef        Cpu0Ist
  SSDT            PmRef        Cpu0Ist
  SSDT            PmRef        Cpu0Ist
  AAFT            ALASKA        OEMAAFT 
  SSDT            PmRef        Cpu0Ist

 

[Layback Bear]

Where is the COA key that came with your system.
You are using a Default key (Windows Product Key: *****-*****-CM74G-RPHKF-PW487)
This COA key will not activate for you and it shouldn't.

Do you have a Microsoft DVD for Windows 7 and the proper COA key that came with it?

 

[dswift]

Oh, thanks for explaining that.

Yes, I built my system, so I purchased Windows 7 Professional on disk. The key is in tiny font over colored and striped boxes, but I have studied it carefully with a magnifying glass and entered it many times with no success. I gave the number to Microsoft, and they say it doesn't work for them either, whatever that means. I had my son read the key to me--his eyes are much sharper than mine--and he read the same numbers and letters. Curious.

 

[Brds7t7]

Oh, thanks for explaining that.

Yes, I built my system, so I purchased Windows 7 Professional on disk. The key is in tiny font over colored and striped boxes, but I have studied it carefully with a magnifying glass and entered it many times with no success. I gave the number to Microsoft, and they say it doesn't work for them either, whatever that means. I had my son read the key to me--his eyes are much sharper than mine--and he read the same numbers and letters. Curious.

Provided you have a legit Retail key (and not a volume key) then there shouldn't be any issue activating. Have you called MS again?
It's a little hit and miss when it comes to their support staff. Some of them really aren't all that knowledgeable.
Also, did the product come in a full retail box or just an envelope? That could point to an OEM licence.

 

[Layback Bear]

All I know is this is your key in the log.

Windows Product Key: *****-*****-CM74G-RPHKF-PW487

This key will not work. If you can't read the key COA on the Microsoft sticker the only answer I know is you have to buy another one. If you old Windows 7 sticker was a OEM/SLP it would also not work on your custom build.

You will need to buy a OEM System Builders key because I don't think you will find a proper Retail Windows 7 with a proper key.

 

[dswift]

I took a picture of the key with my macro lens this morning, so I'm definitely entering the right code (see attached).

The disk DID come in a cardboard envelope, so I guess it is an OEM license. But what's frustrating is that it is the upgrade to Windows 10 that fried my SSD hard drive (I'm not the only one who has had this experience). I guess I could plead with another Microsoft rep, but thinking long term, I'm going to have to do this again when I go back to an SSD shortly.

So is the logical conclusion to buy a new Windows 7?

I appreciate everyone's help.

 

[alphanumeric]

I know you've looked over the key several times but I'll mention this anyway. Sometimes an 8 will look like a B or an I a 1 etc. Especially if its faded or scuffed. Making the type so small doesn't help either. When the key is flate out rejected when trying to enter it, that's usually what happened.

 

[Brds7t7]

I took a picture of the key with my macro lens this morning, so I'm definitely entering the right code (see attached).

The disk DID come in a cardboard envelope, so I guess it is an OEM license. But what's frustrating is that it is the upgrade to Windows 10 that fried my SSD hard drive (I'm not the only one who has had this experience). I guess I could plead with another Microsoft rep, but thinking long term, I'm going to have to do this again when I go back to an SSD shortly.

So is the logical conclusion to buy a new Windows 7?

I appreciate everyone's help.

If it came in an envelope it would probably be an OEM licence. Which doesn't correspond to the output you posted which states it's retail. If it's an OEM licence and you changed HDD that could trigger needing to reactivate, but you would just have to call MS and explain to them what happened and they'll reactivate for you. It's strange that they are just rejecting the key.

Can you post a photo of the envelope it came in? Just cover up your licence key.

 

[alphanumeric]

dswift, is the key being rejected when you try to enter it or just failing activation? If it's a hardware change issue, the key won't be refused when you try to type it in. It will just fail activation. If the key is being rejected when trying enter it, it's either the wrong key for that installed edition, or typed in incorrectly. I've swapped hard drives with OEM versions of Windows 7 and not had any activation issues. I've swapped just about everything except the motherboard and had no failed activation.

 

[dswift]

Thanks for helping me through this everyone. What I thought was a G turned out to be a C (which I thought sure I tried before). Anyway I'm activated now. Sorry to make a stink over nothing, but I do appreciate the coaching and it did help me work through this.

 

[Layback Bear]

Very good news dswift.

From post #6

The disk DID come in a cardboard envelope

As long as you are installing on the same motherboard it was first installed on their should be no problem.

**Wright down the COA key and keep it in a safe place.**

 

[alphanumeric]

Thanks for helping me through this everyone. What I thought was a G turned out to be a C (which I thought sure I tried before). Anyway I'm activated now. Sorry to make a stink over nothing, but I do appreciate the coaching and it did help me work through this.

Good stuff. They sure don't do you any favors with the font type and size do they? Might be time to write the code in large easy to read letters on the envelop and or a text document for next time.

 

[Brds7t7]

Thanks for helping me through this everyone. What I thought was a G turned out to be a C (which I thought sure I tried before). Anyway I'm activated now. Sorry to make a stink over nothing, but I do appreciate the coaching and it did help me work through this.

:roflmao: I know that feeling!
I had that happen to me a few years ago. The font on the OEM COA sticker was printed that small I had to take a photo with my phone and enlarge it just to make out the correct letters. And I have good eyesight.
Glad it's resolved!

 

[dswift]

Very good news dswift.

From post #6

The disk DID come in a cardboard envelope

As long as you are installing on the same motherboard it was first installed on their should be no problem.

**Wright down the COA key and keep it in a safe place.**

Good to know about this since I do plan on upgrading the system as I fin gold coins. And yes, it is written down now. You all are great.