Windows 7 Activation issue

[Help Required]

I bought a netbook about three weeks ago.

I forgot to activate the windows 7 Starter on it before installing my Windows Home Premium upgrade 64 Bit.

I now cannot activate windows.

If i attempt to activate using the Windows 7 code from the bottom of the netbook it says it is for a different version of Windows.

If i attempt to use the upgrade Windows Key it tells me that it is an upgrade version and so therefore i cannot activate using it.

I tried doing a system restore to the ealiest date avaiable hoping that would be before i upgraded windows but it was after that date.

Anybody got any ideas?

 

[richc46]

There should be a DVD or an F key to return to factory settings. (the original OS). Since your computer is new, look it up in your manual.
There is a possiblity, however, that it will not work due to the new install; but try and get back to us.

 

[LiquidSnak]

Activate windows by phone. Tell the tech about your problem, and they should be able to fix it right up.

 

[Tews]

It came with the Starter version, then you installed Home Premium, so you will need a Home Premium upgrade key to activate it...

 

[Help Required]

richc46: It doesn't have a disk drive, so i cant install via disk, sorry non techy where would i find about the "F key to return to factory settings bit?

LiquidSnak: I tried looking up on MS website and for a phone call or an email it has prices of £46.00, is there a free number? (bearing in mind im in the UK)

 

[Zeplash]

Activate windows by phone. Tell the tech about your problem, and they should be able to fix it right up.

I think thats your best bet.

 

[Zeplash]

Doesn't it give you a toll free number on the activation screen?

 

[Help Required]

Tews: If i attempt to use the upgrade Windows Key it tells me that it is an upgrade version and so therefore i cannot activate using it. It gives me the follwing error message 0xC00af061

 

[Help Required]

Zeplash: I haven't seen anything about a number on the activation screen

 

[LiquidSnak]

To activate Windows by phone

Click Start, click All Programs and then click Activate Windows.

In Windows Product Activation, select Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows.

After you select the appropriate location, you are provided with a telephone number and an installation ID that you can give to the customer service representative to complete the activation process.

 

[richc46]

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

follow this procedure, you should see a phone number on the screen.

 

[Zeplash]

To activate Windows by phone

Click Start, click All Programs and then click Activate Windows.

In Windows Product Activation, select Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows.

After you select the appropriate location, you are provided with a telephone number and an installation ID that you can give to the customer service representative to complete the activation process.

Do you find one now?

 

[Help Required]

LiquidSnak: I tried going through Start, click All Programs and then click Activate Windows. except Activate Windows wasn't there. I did a search on Activate Windows and it came up with an option from control panel the screen that comes up has two options activate windows online now or ask me later

 

[LiquidSnak]

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

A tutorial by our own friendly staff.

 

[Tews]

richc46: It doesn't have a disk drive, so i cant install via disk..

Which begs the question... where did you obtain your copy of Home Premium from, and how did you install it???

 

[LiquidSnak]

That's a good catch, Tews.

 

[Tews]

That's a good catch, Tews.

The plot thickens...

 

[Bill2]

1) Dude, if you bought a netbook, it would have come with Starter edition installed AND activated. Starter is not sold in shops, neither do any OEM computers come with trial versions of windows. So your story of not activating starter doesnt wash.

2) To switch from one edition of win7 to another, you need to either do an ANYTIME UPGRADE using an anytime upgrade key (I believe retail keys also work on this but upgrade keys may or may not work) or do a Clean install with the upgrade disk. That'll wipe out your present install, so back up any data on the win7 partition.

 

[Tews]

1) Dude, if you bought a netbook, it would have come with Starter edition installed AND activated. Starter is not sold in shops, neither do any OEM computers come with trial versions of windows. So your story of not activating starter doesnt wash.

I think I can see where this is going...

 

[Help Required]

Tews: I didn't say I didn't have a disk I said that my netbook does not have a disk drive, and I don’t have an external disk drive to attach it with.

I purchased the Home Edition of Windows 7 through a deal given to universities, which had the option of downloading it or getting the disk edition, I opted for both.

So I had a run able upgrade program that I could transfer to the netbook. I upgraded it a couple of weeks ago and I can’t remember if I uploaded it on to the netbook or just used the windows anytime upgrade.

[FONT=&quot]Bill2: [/FONT]I bought my netbook from an established shop in England called Argos it did have the starter edition on it well that is what is says on the bottom of the netbook.

It doesn't appear to have activated or I assume not since it is asking me to activate my version of windows.

Incidentally everything I have is legitimate bought from legitimate sources, i.e. a big chain of shops in England and directly from Microsoft itself. So thanks to those of you who have insinuated otherwise.
[FONT=&quot]I have called the number and been given another number to call which I am about to do now.[/FONT]