Dell mini fresh install activation fails

[paul1149]

Hi,

I have a Dell mini that needed a fresh installation. Installing from the factory restore partition did not solve the inability to run updates.

So I have a Win7 installation disk and I used it to wipe the disk and install Win7 Starter again. I had pulled the product key from the previous installation that was fresh from the restore partition.

And activation failed with code 0xC004E003.

It looks like there is no more phone in. So I ran the WGA tool and here is its output. Any insight would be appreciated.

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->

Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-MGJ3H-FT7VD-FG72J
Windows Product Key Hash: MajJQMO7x6C/zF514M1WFV804Hs=
Windows Product ID: 00342-OEM-8992707-00082
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.1.7600.2.00010300.0.0.011
ID: {534977D3-E4E5-498E-A9B6-1EC5A8257B32}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows 7 Starter
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255
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-->
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watadminsvc.exe[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\npwatweb.dll[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watux.exe[Hr = 0x80070003]
File Mismatch: C:\Windows\system32\wat\watweb.dll[Hr = 0x80070003]

Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{534977D3-E4E5-498E-A9B6-1EC5A8257B32}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7600.2.00010300.0.0.011</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-FG72J</PKey><PID>00342-OEM-8992707-00082</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-3259829367-2149095085-1059530738</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Model>Inspiron 1012</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>A12</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="5"/><Date>20110322000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>B2B80600018400E4</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><OEMID>DELL  </OEMID><OEMTableID>CL09   </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, Starter edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, OEM_SLP channel
Activation ID: 8be4a481-9b5c-4588-a5ec-5dad4b1f15da
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00342-00178-927-000082-02-1033-7600.0000-3612012
Installation ID: 014572477843180040926031698030817506702024873544218662
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340
Partial Product Key: FG72J
License Status: Initial grace period
Time remaining: 43200 minute(s) (30 day(s))
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 12/26/2012 11:10:33 PM

Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: N/A
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: N/A
ActiveX: Not Registered - 0x80040154
Admin Service: Not Registered - 0x80040154
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:


HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: LAAAAAAAAgABAAEAAAABAAAAAgABAAEAnJ/kSxjdpKBiCX7O7pSKNdRYchk=

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			DELL  		M09     
  FACP			DELL  		M09     
  HPET			DELL  		M09     
  BOOT			DELL  		M09     
  MCFG			INTEL 		CRESTLNE
  TCPA			Phoeni		x      
  OSFR			DELL  		DELL    
  SLIC			DELL  		CL09   
  SSDT			PmRef		Cpu0Tst
  SSDT			PmRef		Cpu0Tst
  SSDT			PmRef		Cpu0Tst

 

[paul1149]

This baffles me because the product ID code from my data matches the installation. The only live support option MS is offering me is "premium", which I assume means paid.

 

[NoelDP]

The problem you have is that the OEM_SLP Key which you found with a Keyfinder can ONLY be used with the proper Recovery media - and you seem to have used Retail media.
You need to change the Key to the COA one.

Most Dell's of this age have their COA sticker inside the battery compartment - if yours is there, change the Key to the one on the sticker using the link at the bottom of the System properties page, and activate that.

 

[paul1149]

Unfortunately the COA, which is exposed on the bottom, is beyond recovery. If only people would place a strip of clear tape over it to protect it. It seems the only way I can rescue this situation is to obtain the key from Dell, which I don't know is possible.

 

[NoelDP]

You won't get the Key from Dell - no-one keeps such records.
You can reinstall using the proper Recovery media - which you should be able to order from Dell. This doesn't require the COA Key (but does require a valid BIOS SLIC table, which as far as I can tell, you have)

 

[paul1149]

I see. Thanks again. I'll look into that. Hopefully it's not too expensive!

 

[paul1149]

I found and submitted the request for recovery media. If this goes through, big kudos to Dell for making it a) simple, and b) free! I didn't expect that.

 

[NoelDP]

Dell are one of the best ones in this respect - the worst is Samsung (who basically say 'tough!').

 

[paul1149]

That's good to know. I went through this once before with Dell, but it was for a business-class tower, part of a multi-purchase that was still under warranty. They delivered the disks to my door with one day shipping, I believe it was, for free. I was astounded. But I never expected it to be this easy for a machine out of warranty. Very well done.

 

[paul1149]

Found out very quickly that you are absolutely right, as I sit here with a Samsung wondering what to do with it.. Samsung has no provision for a lost recovery partition coupled with an illegible COA. Might as well throw the machine away. And there is also only one bios version available, and it will not permit flashing over itself. So forget about a bios refresh as well. Nice piece of hardware, ruined by stupid corporate policy.

 

[NoelDP]

Try this....

There *may* be an alternative solution though, if you are patient and persistent.
Attempt Telephone Activation, and speak to an operator - they will tell you that your current Key is blocked (they should then ask for confirmation of your Product Key). Explain to them your problem, that you need to change the Key to the one on your sticker, but that the sticker is unreadable (could they please supply a replacement Key?). Hopefully they will ask for documentary proof of the sticker, in the form of an email with a picture of the affected sticker - and you can proceed from there.
Sometimes it takes two or three calls before you get an operator who actually knows and uses this procedure - but I know that it can and does happen.

 

[paul1149]

Wow, thanks for that idea, it hadn't occurred to me. I just had taken several pics of the COA, because last night I installed Starter and was trying to figure out the key, and I thought the camera might bring something out. There are a minimum of three digits that are questionable, so I began making a table of possibilities. But those possibilities grow exponentially, so it's a long shot in the dark. This sounds like a much more feasible plan.

People, place a strip of cellophane over your COA. It may save you a lot of aggravation.

 

[paul1149]

The problem is getting the phone prompt. There must be an algorithm that sends you to a phone number or gives you the runaround. All my attempts to enter a key have led to the runaround.

 

[NoelDP]

How to contact a Microsoft Product Activation Center by telephone

 

[paul1149]

Yes, thank you. I did find that. I got a very helpful woman named Anna who spent a good ten minutes with me trying possible codes, but we got nowhere. She gave me the number of customer service to call on Monday. So we shall see.

 

[paul1149]

A couple of updates. After verifying my situation, Dell overnighted the restore disks to me, and it went swimmingly (well, the drivers didn't, but I got through it). Big kudos to Dell for being so helpful.

Regarding the Samsung unit, I contacted the MS Activation line and got a helpful woman named Anna. We spent a good ten minutes trying different key possibilities, but failed. She suggested calling a customer support number. Got two helpful people there, and a woman named Karla spent a good 15 minutes with me and activated the machine manually via remote control.

I have to say these two companies really extended themselves to do the right thing for a customer. It's a good thing to see. And thanks for your help, Noel.

Blessings for a happy new year.

 

[NoelDP]

Twofers are always nice
Good luck, and Happy New Year to you too.