Solved Trying to activate oem with a new activation code.

[paulr70]

hi All

I recently had problems with my Dell laptop so I bought a new computer and took my ssd drive from the dell and put it in the new machine so I wouldnt have to reinstall everything. All works fine apart from in control panel/system it says "2 days until automatic activation.Activate windows now"

So I bought a new oem version from amazon but when I entered the product key, it says "the product key cannot be used to activate windows on this computer."

Any suggestions what to do? The last thing I want to do is reinstall windows as I use it for work and dont have the time to setup everything again.

Thanks

Paul

 

[Layback Bear]

Press the Window flag key and the pause key. Go to the bottom of the page.
Control panel to system.

 

[paulr70]

Actually i`ve just discovered the version install is an Service Pack 1 oem and the one I bought doesnt have SP1. Would this be the problem?

 

[paulr70]

Press the Window flag key and the pause key. Go to the bottom of the page.
Control panel to system.

Yes thats where I saw the issue. I`ve tried activating it from that screen with a new id that I bought. But now i`m thinking its a SP1 issue as the one I bought is non-SP1.
Thanks

 

[Golden]

Hi,

I speak under correction here, but I do not believe you will be able to install a new OEM version of Windows on your Dell laptop. An OEM is tied specifically to a unique set of hardware, more specifically the motherboard.

How much did this OEM version off Amazon cost you?

Regards,
Golden

 

[paulr70]

It was this one for £70 (ukp) Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64 bit, English, 1 Pack, DSP OEI (DVD) (This OEM software is intended for system builders only): Amazon.co.uk: Software

Its actually not for my dell laptop, I moved the ssd from the laptop to my new desktop. So its now complaining that the drive is in a new PC.
like I say, I have noticed my windows 7 install has Sp1 installed and the windows 7 i bought is not SP1. could it be that?

See third paragraph down on this page... Windows 7 activation error: invalid product key

Thanks

 

[Golden]

Hi Paul,

OK, I misunderstood about the Dell, although I'm still not sure about the OEM - you could be right. I've asked gregrocker to have a look at this if he gets a moment - he specialises in this sort of thing.

Regards,
Golden

 

[paulr70]

Great thanks.

 

[seavixen32]

The problem is caused in part by SP1 and the SSD.

I've no doubt the Dell SSD is an OEM version and as such will be tied to the Dell computer. If you try and install it in another computer you'll get an error thrown up.

If the OEM OS you bought does not have SP1, you can't use its product key to activate the SP1 version.

It could well be you'll need a new hard drive and a clean install of Windows, but I'm sure gregrocker will put us right.

 

[paulr70]

Thanks. The ssd was actual installed by myself its a crucial c300. I reinstalled windows onto it from the dell windows install disk supplied with the laptop.

Do you think phoning microsoft activation line will help, or will I need to return this version.

 

[seavixen32]

Thanks. The ssd was actual installed by myself its a crucial c300. I reinstalled windows onto it from the dell windows install disk supplied with the laptop.

Do you think phoning microsoft activation line will help, or will I need to return this version.

You can try, but Microsoft do stress that they do not give support to OEM software as that rests with the computer manufacturer, or in your case you, because you are effectively the system builder.

I think your best best is to return the OEM version and buy a retail version, but you'll only be able to exchange if the OEM disc is unopened and unactivated.

You could try Dell support and see what they say.

 

[theog]

Thanks. The ssd was actual installed by myself its a crucial c300. I reinstalled windows onto it from the dell windows install disk supplied with the laptop.

Do you think phoning microsoft activation line will help, or will I need to return this version.

Why did you not use the DVD that Amazon sent.

 

[gregrocker]

Greetings all from Berlin today.

Did the new computer you bought come with Win7? If so you are wasting your money to buy a new copy when you already own one for life on that computer.

You just need to find a Win7 installer to clean reinstall your licensed version following the steps in the Perfect Reinstall link in my signature box below.

OR if the SSD you moved has the same version and you were fortunate to have it start on new hardware without sysprepping or booting Paragon Adaptive Restore CD first, then at Computer>Properties change the Product Key to the one on the new computer's COA sticker, or open an elevated Command Prompt to type slmgr -ipk followed by a space and the Product Key.

There are other workarounds to change installed versions but let's find out first what if any Win7 came with the new desktop.

 

[paulr70]

Hi Gregrocker

Yes the pc came with a windows 7 on what is now the d drive. But to be honest I`m not sure how legit as there is no COA sticker. Could I reboot to the D: version of windows and check the product key installed and use that?

I really would like to avoid having to reinstall windows, thats why I just plugged in the ssd from my laptop and it worked fine with all my installed software so was hoping to just get a new oem key to carry on.

Thanks

 

[gregrocker]

If a PC seller sold you Win7 on a pc then by law it must have a COA sticker to certify authenticity. Contact the seller to ask why not.

That key can activate your existing Win7 only if its the same version, or we help you change versions.

The key you can audit off of factory OEM is not the same as the one used to reinstall from sticker. It can be tried but may require phone activation. It is better to have the COA key you paid for and are entitled to when you bought the machine, or use the key you bought to activate which likewise should work if it is the same version.

 

[paulr70]

Thanks. The ssd was actual installed by myself its a crucial c300. I reinstalled windows onto it from the dell windows install disk supplied with the laptop.

Do you think phoning microsoft activation line will help, or will I need to return this version.

You can try, but Microsoft do stress that they do not give support to OEM software as that rests with the computer manufacturer, or in your case you, because you are effectively the system builder.

I think your best best is to return the OEM version and buy a retail version, but you'll only be able to exchange if the OEM disc is unopened and unactivated.

You could try Dell support and see what they say.

The oem disc has been opened but is unactivated. It had to be opened as the product key was stuck on the book inside the box.

 

[paulr70]

If a PC seller sold you Win7 on a pc then by law it must have a COA sticker to certify authenticity. Contact the seller to ask why not.

That key can activate your existing Win7 only if its the same version, or we help you change versions.

The key you can audit off of factory OEM is not the same as the one used to reinstall from sticker. It can be tried but may require phone activation. It is better to have the COA key you paid for and are entitled to when you bought the machine, or use the key you bought to activate which likewise should work if it is the same version.

ok thanks. I tried the slmgr -ipk command with the new product key which it said was succesful. I`ve tried rebooting but its still saying 2 days until automatic activation in the control panel/system.

 

[gregrocker]

If a PC seller sold you Win7 on a pc then by law it must have a COA sticker to certify authenticity. Contact the seller to ask why not.

That key can activate your existing Win7 only if its the same version, or we help you change versions.

The key you can audit off of factory OEM is not the same as the one used to reinstall from sticker. It can be tried but may require phone activation. It is better to have the COA key you paid for and are entitled to when you bought the machine, or use the key you bought to activate which likewise should work if it is the same version.

ok thanks. I tried the slmgr -ipk command with the new product key which it said was succesful. I`ve tried rebooting but its still saying 2 days until automatic activation in the control panel/system.

Click on the link to Activate Now or open another Command Prompt, type slmgr -ato.

Be aware that once you activate OEM on that hardware you cannot move it, so I would first pursue getting the COA sticker to use the license you purchased with computer to activate Win7 on that machine

If you want to buy some time, use the command slmgr -rearm for 30 more days.

 

[paulr70]

ok tried the slmgr -ato command and now i`m getting
Error: 0xC004C008 The activation server determined that the specified product key could not be use.

Perhaps I`ll try the 30day extension you mentioned and return the windows 7 I bought for an SP1 version and hope that works.

Thanks

 

[theog]

Try :
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18715-activate-windows-7-phone.html