Reformatted hard drive, Windows product key not accepted

[boppy2010]

Hi guys, my Asus notebook came with Vista and the tech installed the Win 7 upgrade a few years ago. (I have the upgrade disks but there is no product key on them and the tech has left the country.)

I recently reformatted the hard drive and inserted the Asus rescue and driver disks to get a clean version of Vista. Then I attempted to upgrade to Win 7 using the disks provided. Now I can't get it to activate.

Running a system scan I am given a Win 7 product key but when I enter this on the online activation page I get an error message saying that it's a default key and I will have to purchase a new one. Same story when I phone Microsoft.

I've tried running a system rollback but to no avail. Do I need to run the system rescue disk again and go back to Vista? Is there any way to get this current upgrade of 7 to activate?

Thanks in advance for suggestions.


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

Validation Code: 0
Cached Online Validation Code: 0x0
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-74XYM-BH4JX-XM76F
Windows Product Key Hash: KeYfcvXg/a1Q01x73+f8IL/JC4Y=
Windows Product ID: 00359-112-0000007-85359
Windows Product ID Type: 5
Windows License Type: Retail
Windows OS version: 6.1.7600.2.00010300.0.0.003
ID: {9377890C-806C-45BD-A474-EE87CC62D443}(1)
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.130318-1532
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\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>{9377890C-806C-45BD-A474-EE87CC62D443}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7600.2.00010300.0.0.003</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-XM76F</PKey><PID>00359-112-0000007-85359</PID><PIDType>5</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-2792560198-1347272368-3416777405</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>ASUSTeK Computer Inc. </Manufacturer><Model>F3Sc </Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>American Megatrends Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>206 </Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="4"/><Date>20070731000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>A8CD3E07018400FA</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>New Zealand Standard Time(GMT+12:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>_ASUS_</OEMID><OEMTableID>Notebook</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, RETAIL channel
Activation ID: 2e7d060d-4714-40f2-9896-1e4f15b612ad
Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
Extended PID: 00359-00170-112-000000-00-1033-7600.0000-2722013
Installation ID: 019176820720632460145241456615837525496813920973529340
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: XM76F
License Status: Initial grace period
Time remaining: 22680 minute(s) (15 day(s))
Remaining Windows rearm count: 3
Trusted time: 14/10/2013 12:01:32 p.m.

Windows Activation Technologies-->
HrOffline: 0x00000000
HrOnline: 0x00000000
HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000
Event Time Stamp: 10:2:2013 12:06
ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395
HealthStatus Bitmask Output:


HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: OgAAAAIABQABAAEAAQABAAAAAwABAAEAeqjUAE40rFjwYEaDBgyYEdZ3diu0nN6I1GeHcPRaIu0qhQ==

OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A

OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes
Windows marker version: 0x0
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information:
ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value
APIC A_M_I_ OEMAPIC
FACP A_M_I_ OEMFACP
DBGP A_M_I_ OEMDBGP
HPET A_M_I_ OEMHPET
BOOT A_M_I_ OEMBOOT
MCFG A_M_I_ OEMMCFG
SLIC _ASUS_ Notebook
ECDT A_M_I_ OEMECDT
OEMB A_M_I_ AMI_OEM
TCPA A_M_I_ TBLOEMID
ATKG A_M_I_ OEMATKG
SSDT PmRef CpuPm

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm no expert but I don't think you can update to Windows 7 that came out in 2009
with a bios dated
<Date>20070731000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS>
</SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>American Megatrends Inc

Just hang in there. Their will others drop by that may be able to help.

 

[gregrocker]

The Product Key shown in your mgadiag report above is the default key awaiting activation within 30 days, not a retail key which should have been audited while the activated copy of WIn7 was still on the HD. Did you scan the key then? If so input it now.

If you have Win7 Upgrade or OEM disks given to you by the tech, what does it say on them exactly? Are you sure there's no COA or key on the packaging or in your paperwork from the builder? He is required by law to affix a COA sticker showing any OS he installed is Genuine.

It isn't necessary to install Vista first to use Win7 Upgrade version. When you boot the installer it will see any underlying OS and allow use of the Upgrade version key during install. If not we can provide a workaround to activate on cleaned or wiped HD.

By using the Vista Recovery disks larded with bloatware and duplicate utilties which intefere with better versions built into Win7, you compromised your install. Once you're certain it will activate I would do it over booting the Win7 installer to delete all partitions during install using the drive options shown Steps 7 and 8 of Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[boppy2010]

Thanks for replies. This is the upgrade disk I have (there is also a 64 bit version): http://i.imgur.com/SUpd10T.jpg and this is the sticker on the base of my notebook (for Vista): http://i.imgur.com/OctkWRG.jpg so not much use.
Sadly I didn't scan the system before reformatting due to the fact it wouldn't work and kept crashing. Any data would have been wiped in the process anyway.

 

[gregrocker]

You can always rescue data as long as the HD isn't dead, using the Win7 disk to Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console. We could also have helped you get the key before you wiped it out unnecessarily.

You have what appears to be a Genuine Upgrade disk. Did you check the envelope and paperwork to see if a Product Key is there? It makes no sense that a Genuine windows disk would have been given without the Key which holds the real value you paid for.

Do you have a backup image of the Win7 installation while it was on there so that it could be re-imaged to audit the Key?

If none of these then you may need to buy another Upgrade key, or reinstall Vista Business. I would use a clean copy of retail Vista with the Product Key on COA to get the best performance.

 

[Layback Bear]

Thank you Greg for stopping by.

 

[NoelDP]

The Upgrade disk is one of a pair - which came with a Product Key, inside the retail packaging.
If you still have the packaging, then The Key is on an orange lable affixed to a card inside that - you don't have the packaging, then the chances are that you will not be able to persuade anyone to part with a replacement Key unless you purchase another package.

Note that your Vista COA sticker is still perfectly legible - and you should remove the image so that the Key isn't stolen.

Note also that Vista Business to Win 7 Home Premium is not a valid Upgrade path - which is why you were forced to do a clean install.

 

[boppy2010]

Thanks guys for the replies.

The Win 7 disks came enclosed in a plastic sleeve, which I did find strange since the tech had already done the upgrade for me, so perhaps he installed a different version and simply gave some random other disks to me. He was an odd character.

Anyway, I think I will just revert to Vista - this is an old laptop that will only be used as a backup machine for emergencies so as long as it gets the internet and email, Vista will be fine.

Thanks again for taking the time to make suggestions.

 

[NoelDP]

It sounds to me as if your tech sold the same license twice (at least!)
I'd consider reporting him to the authorities for fraud, and to MS for piracy.

 

[gregrocker]

You can follow the same steps as in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to perfectly reinstall Vista, but will need the Vista ISO download.