Invalid Product Key?!

[Nandoman89]

I recently installed 64-bit Windows 7 on my desktop computer, but despite activating it and getting an activation e-mail from Microsoft, it keeps telling me Windows isn't activated and I have 11 days to activate it. It tells me my product key is wrong but I've typed it multiple times and I can't understand why it's invalid...I purchased Windows 7 from my school book store. I don't know why this is happening, or what I can do to fix it...

 

[theog]

Try copy & Paste the key No from the email.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html?ltr=A

 

[gregrocker]

If that doesn't work, call MS Customer Service to validate the key. Once validated they will open a Tech Support case which will help you get the key activated one way or another.

If the key doesn't validate, they should help you get another one if you have your student purchase receipt and/or email.

 

[windowsapple]

If all else fails, buy a new key.

 

[gregrocker]

You do not have to buy a new key if you purchased a legitimate key in the first place, which would be the case at a school book store.

Go to the manager of the book store and get his/her help to look up your receipt if you don't have it. Ask how this is best handled from their point of view.

Call MS Customer service which validates the key and opens a tech support case which WILL get it activated. They try to figure out what you are doing that's blocking activation. If necessary they will issue a new key or force activation.

The only reason MS Customer Service will not get it activated via a Tech Support case (if necessary) is if the key is not valid, in which case your bookstore has to replace it if you can prove purchase or they are committing fraud. You bought a key - you get a key that works or they replace it, unless MS can figure out what is being done wrong.

Keep us posted as there are people here who deal with this every day.

 

[windowsapple]

You do not have to buy a new key if you purchased a legitimate key in the first place, which would be the case at a school book store.

Go to the manager of the book store and get his/her help to look up your receipt if you don't have it. Ask how this is best handled from their point of view.

Call MS Customer service which validates the key and opens a tech support case which WILL get it activated. They try to figure out what you are doing that's blocking activation. If necessary they will issue a new key or force activation.

The only reason MS Customer Service will not get it activated via a Tech Support case (if necessary) is if the key is not valid, in which case your bookstore has to replace it if you can prove purchase or they are committing fraud. You bought a key - you get a key that works or they replace it, unless MS can figure out what is being done wrong.

Keep us posted as there are people here who deal with this every day.

But I said "if all else fails."

 

[Nandoman89]

I was able to contact Microsoft and they helped me get it sorted out. I had my receipt from the bookstore and proof that my laptop harddrive had bad sectors and I had to get a new one, because apparently the bookstore copy was only allowed to be installed on one computer with its key. Everything is all set now, the reps were very friendly and helpful, and I should be OK. Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

 

[gregrocker]

Glad it worked out.

Don't confuse "the bookstore copy was only allowed to be installed on one computer with its key" to mean you can only install it once.

This means that it can only be installed on one computer at a time, not that it can only be installed once.

A Win7 retail copy can be reinstalled as often as you want, even be migrated to any other computer of your choice. It is your property which you own for life, and can be reinstalled from any installer for your version as long as you save the Product Key.

The only exception is if it is an OEM copy (which it will say at Computer>Properties) which is tied to the hardware first installed upon, but OEM wasn't available for the Student Steal deals.