Windows 7 activation problem (The data is invalid)

[Snufffed]

it finds whichever cdkey i put into the change product key page. which would be useful but i already tried like 5 ones from the link in the previous page. I don't understand why its giving me different ones. if you think i am making that up then i can screen shot it. but i think its supposed to do that in which case these keys should work. i will try using safe mode with networking later today (when i wake up).

I have been beta testing Windows for a long time... maybe its due to im currently 66 almost 67 yrs old, but I DO NOT REMEMBER ANY LEGAL version of Windows changing KEYs on me..
It seems to me he is using many different Activation programs trying to make RC 7100 permanently activated. which he can not do...
So I will finish with this - as my last post for this thread. Illegal activity is not my bag. Sorry guys gone from this thread.

 

[Kallb123]

I didn't do anything illegal to windows. I have been changing the key (Star, Right click Computer, Properties, change product key) because thats the only way for me to activate. When i installed I didn't put in a cd key, because I thought I could do it later. So now the pop-up told me to activate. I tried and it failed (because there is no cd key). So I looked in a thread (maybe this one, i forget), and it told me how to enter the key in the properties page. I try that and for an unknown reason it will fail. I then realised that the page where I was getting the CD key (it is on microsoft and I posted the link in a previous post) was giving me different ones each time it refreshes. Later today I will get screenshots of that microsoft page, with different cd keys every time. I hope you understand I am trying to activate a Legit download with a legit cd key. It's just that the MS site isn't giving me MY cd key, it is giving me about 20 different ones, none of which will activate.

 

[tw33k]

I didn't do anything illegal to windows. I have been changing the key (Star, Right click Computer, Properties, change product key) because thats the only way for me to activate. When i installed I didn't put in a cd key, because I thought I could do it later. So now the pop-up told me to activate. I tried and it failed (because there is no cd key). So I looked in a thread (maybe this one, i forget), and it told me how to enter the key in the properties page. I try that and for an unknown reason it will fail. I then realised that the page where I was getting the CD key (it is on microsoft and I posted the link in a previous post) was giving me different ones each time it refreshes. Later today I will get screenshots of that microsoft page, with different cd keys every time. I hope you understand I am trying to activate a Legit download with a legit cd key. It's just that the MS site isn't giving me MY cd key, it is giving me about 20 different ones, none of which will activate.

my understanding is that any of those keys will activate the RC.I used the same one on 3 computers and never had a problem. I agree with Snuffy, something smells dodgy

 

[Kallb123]

well this is my last post before sleep so i take some screenshots when i wake up. HOW exactly did you get that key. I got mine by:

When beta started i signed up. I never used it though.
RC started so I signed up. I downloaded it and used the key from the page just before download. (I had it wrote down so I placed it in the install but chose to activate later, obviously in case something goes wrong)
I had to reinstall, I forget the reason but I went back to the page where I got the key previously (the one just before download) and placed this into the box again (i had to write it down again)
This time round I did not have it wrote down so I left the field blank and clicked next.
I was wondering where the pop-up was then it appeared yesterday (after 18 days lol, i thought it should be 3). So now I have the problem of trying to find the cd key I used before. I thought going to the site again (the one just before download) would display my cd key. I placed the key there into the 'Change product key' window (located by clicking start, then right click computer and click properties, then at the bottom you can click change product key)(I wouldn't recommend doing it if you have working windows as maybe it will deactivate, i have no idea) and it failed to activate.
Out of curiosity i refreshed the page, and the key changed!!! I don't know why it does that, it just does...

https://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/productkeys/win7-rc-32/enus/

after looking at the page it appears it is supposed to change after refresh. but then why does it fail to activate if these are valid, legit keys? I have done nothing illegal with windows, why would I? its free!!

 

[Kallb123]

Is 3 enough? That is official microsoft website. So why won't these keys activate?

 

[poin2]

I have been beta testing Windows for a long time... maybe its due to im currently 66 almost 67 yrs old, but I DO NOT REMEMBER ANY LEGAL version of Windows changing KEYs on me..
It seems to me he is using many different Activation programs trying to make RC 7100 permanently activated. which he can not do...
So I will finish with this - as my last post for this thread. Illegal activity is not my bag. Sorry guys gone from this thread.

Actually, the Release Candidate is a bit of an "exception."

MS apparently issued in the ballpark of a couple dozen keys for it total. Thousands of people would be using the same keys -- legally, and as intended.

When you go on the Microsoft website to request a key for it, that's why it changes. They don't really issue a key just to you. They just cycle through a display of maybe 20 or so.

Given they're shutting down RC downloads in a few more days, there could be something funny going on with the keys and activation right now. They are going to still let people activate and get keys for the RC -- just no more new downloads.

Anyway, I'd just keep trying to activate with keys from the RC website. Don't be surprised that it actually cycles you through different keys somewhat randomly.

If one doesn't take I'd personally just try a repair installation and go from there. Otherwise I'd sit tight and stop messing with things and hope the issue is maybe on MS's end.

 

[Tews]

The same thing will happen if you attempt to use a retail key too many times ... try calling MS and explain your methods to them ... maybe they will actually listen...

 

[Kallb123]

Ok i will leave it for a couple of days (I have 11 left).

but @Tews. The keys are random, I'm not activating the same key over and over.

Can anybody tell me if they have managed to activate in the last couple of days?

 

[zigzag3143]

yep

Clean install no problem. Even tried with a new dl'ed key. still no sweat

Ken

 

[Kallb123]

maybe i'll clean install after all. my windows seems to be playing up. it came to a standstill a few minutes ago. anybody tried the new nvidia drivers? since i got those drivers its been bad. same with a friend.

 

[gamepro127]

Change the Time and Date in Windows 7, easy solution.
I seen its like 18:30 or something, change that and the date so its 100% correct then try again

 

[iseeuu]

maybe i'll clean install after all. my windows seems to be playing up. it came to a standstill a few minutes ago. anybody tried the new nvidia drivers? since i got those drivers its been bad. same with a friend.

A call to Microsoft Activation might provide a quick explanation.

Or, you could use the "Windows Easy Transfer Wizard" (it would be good practice ) to save your user accounts, do a clean install with a new key and transfer your user accounts back.

I understood that each Beta and RC key would only activate 3 times, not sure if that meant 3 activations or 3 different computers. Perhaps you used your key to the limit?

If nothing else, one can still download the RC with a new key from MS.

Robert

 

[Kallb123]

it doesnt give you a key. each time you look it provides a random key. and everything I have is on a seperate drive from windows except programs and thats the time consuming thing.

 

[zigzag3143]

it doesnt give you a key. each time you look it provides a random key. and everything I have is on a seperate drive from windows except programs and thats the time consuming thing.

I have a suggestion, dont think its valid but hey you never know. Just noticed that you OC and wonder if some kind of clocking error might be preventing the key. Have you tried installing the key in a safe boot?

Ken

 

[Kallb123]

before i installed W7 this time I had to reset bios so its all normal, i just didn't update it because i expect to OC again anyway. I did try activating in safe mode but when i go to properties (by right clicking on computer in start menu) it shows most stuff as unavailable. It doesn't even show my CPU. and there is no change product key at the bottom.

 

[harpua]

I remember back when I was using 7100 build, if I didn't enter the key when it asked during or right after the install and tell it to activate automatically online, then it would not later accept any of the official RC keys. So I had to reinstall to get it activated. So that may be the answer to the question.

Btw, there are only 10 unique official RC keys that are randomly selected from each time you request a key from MS. So it's not a problem with the key or which key. You can try all 10 of the keys, like I did on 7100. It didn't activate once the install was completed without entering the key when prompted and telling it to activate automatically online. I don't know if this is universally true, but this is what I experienced.

However, now I'm using an RTM build that was upgraded from an RC build and was unactivated for 20 days until I got my Technet subscription and was able to get a retail RTM key. This RTM version allowed me to input the key and activate from the "System" screen without having to reinstall like I did with the 7100 RC build.

I don't know if there is another way aside from reinstalling the RC build. Perhaps trying to do a repair install of the RC build and entering the key if/when prompted during that process. That's what I would try before giving up, although, in my case, I did solve this problem by reinstalling the RC build and inputting any of the official RC keys when prompted and telling it to activate automatically online.

 

[Kallb123]

OMG WOOOT. The repair install worked. I actually back flipped from my chair when it said successful (lol ye sure, like I can do that haha). Thank you guys so much. +rep for definate.

 

[Vishal Banker]

Windows 7 activation problem

Facing problem in activating window 7? Click here to find the solution.

 

[stevethenerd]

I have never entered a CD key when installing Windows 7. I have read other forums and blogs stating that there are often problems when performing updates. Once you have installed Windows and other software and drivers you can type activate in the search box (or right click computer and choose properties, then click on activate). Before activating you will be prompted for a cd key.

I have only had a problem once, but was able to activate by phone without any problems.

 

[jasin]

The RC is expiered is it not?