Win7 reinstallation -- activation

[eltopo71]

Hi. I'm about to move my current, legal Windows 7 Pro installation from a small, slow disk to a bigger and faster HD. This will most likely "trip" the WGA system when I restart. Is there something that I can do before switching disks that will make the process easier, e.g. transfer the activation from the old disk to the new one, or will I inevitably have to make a phone call to MS?

 

[Maguscreed]

Actually just moving it to a new disc on the same system, should not cause you any problems. Even if it does just phoning in and reactivating should be more than adequate as long as your key is only in use on one system.

Win 7 is not so bad with the DRM as some of the previous versions.

 

[eltopo71]

Thanks. I was just curious to see if there was something that needed to be done beforehand, like deactivating a license (for Adobe products), but I guess there isn't.

 

[Maguscreed]

If you use a tool to do a bit by bit copy, Acronis comes to mind. The OS may not even be aware it's been moved. That goes for all the other software involved as well.

I'm not as familiar with Adobe's policy on drm and reinstallation. I don't think they'll give you too much of a headache though.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello eltopo71, welcome to Seven Forums!

See if Method Two/Three in this tutorial at the link below is a help to you and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.



Windows 7 Installation - Transfer to a New Computer

 

[gregrocker]

I'd use Win7 backup imaging first then if it doesn't work try free Macrium Reflect or Paragon 10.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

No need to SysPrep the HD if there's only a HD change.

 

[eltopo71]

I'm not as familiar with Adobe's policy on drm and reinstallation. I don't think they'll give you too much of a headache though.

It's a bit OT, but Adobe's a little annoying -- they'll insist on telling you you must deactivate the license first, even after you've explained that the original drive on which the product was installed crashed... it's the usual "support calls following a script without thinking about it" kind of scenario.

 

[eltopo71]

After trying a few methods of reimaging that didn't work (Macreus, PING) I resorted to the Windows backup and restore utility which seemed to work even through a couple of restarts, but now after restarting to adjust the swap file settings I got a black screen. I tried to use the startup repair utility but it's now telling me my only option is a system restore, which is probably going to last hours (it lasted hours yesterday). sigh.

OTOH I had no activation problem after the initial restore was done.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Have you tried this yet?


How to Repair Windows 7 System Files with System File Checker

SFC /SCANNOW : Run in Command Prompt at Boot

 

[gregrocker]

Startup Repair should automate all tests and offer SYstem Restore if it sees a change responsible for Win7 not starting.

Are you doing a lot of tweaking of Win7? Be aware that beta testers who were accustomed to tweaking to make XP and Vista run faster learned the hard way that tweaks will always come back to bite you inWIn7 which is already too lean to tolerate old XPired tweaking methods.

The reason I ask is because you report two startup failures since reimaging yesterday.

Study your logs for repeat errors and do other troubleshooting basics.

 

[Maz]

Hi,
I purchased a new W7 x64 OS from Amazon and installed it on my new computer (which had no OS)....then activated it online and it worked fine for nearly 4 weeks....yesterday I got a message on the notification section that I have 2 days left to activate my OS!!!!.....tried to do it online and on the phone and each time it would say that the product key (or the 9 sets of 6-digit numbers provided to me) is invalid and is asking me to buy a new key!!!.....below is what I got following the notification message:

Code: 0xC004C003
Description:
The activation server determined the specific product key has been blocked

I appreciate any suggestion
Thanks in advance

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hi,
I purchased a new W7 x64 OS from Amazon and installed it on my new computer (which had no OS)....then activated it online and it worked fine for nearly 4 weeks....yesterday I got a message on the notification section that I have 2 days left to activate my OS!!!!.....tried to do it online and on the phone and each time it would say that the product key (or the 9 sets of 6-digit numbers provided to me) is invalid and is asking me to buy a new key!!!.....below is what I got following the notification message:

Code: 0xC004C003
Description:
The activation server determined the specific product key has been blocked

I appreciate any suggestion
Thanks in advance

Hello Maz, welcome to Seven Forums!

The Windows activation key/code should be 5 sets of 5 letters & numbers looking similar to this below.

G0BUY-TH3S0-FTWAR-3ATMI-CS0FT

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Hi,
the product key (or the 9 sets of 6-digit numbers provided to me)

????

The product key is 25 characters (5 groups of 5).

 

[gregrocker]

If you are trying to install Upgrade version on a cleaned or new HD, then you will need to do the quick registry edit found here to activate: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

It's possible you bought an illegal MSDN or Technet key if it was sold by a 3rd party. This can help you determine for sure: http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en/genuinewindows7/thread/a2444f34-0aff-4f29-a8ac-67e28b0c0285

I would contact Amazon Customer Service to ask for their assistance in getting the key replaced or your money back. Let us know how the respond.