Win 7 registration

[natchezjohn]

Years ago I purchased an HP Compaq from Tiger Direct (now under new ownership). The windows failed and I reinstalled with a dvd downloaded online.

When I try to activate it with the key on the label Windows says since it is an "OEM" installation they won't activate.

What do I do?

 

[richc46]

I think that this tutorial may help
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[Ranger4]

If what richc46 has suggested doesn't fix your problem, then follow this Forum tutorial & post the details so we can see what is causing it.

Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions

 

[alphanumeric]

It's been my experience that OEM-COA keys won't activate online the first time they are used. They will activate by phone no problem though. Factory OEM installs use an OEM-SLP key that is different from the key on the COA sticker. OEM-SLP keys will only work with the custom factory install media. The key on the sticker (OEM-COA) is a backup key for use with stock install media.

EDIT: For clarification, if you used a key finder on the original factory install, that key will never work with stock install media. Those keys are blocked from online activation. Windows 7 factory OEM installs do not activate online. They activate against a SLIC table in the BIOS.