Repair Install

Hiyya Nick look I don't want to be seem as stepping on toes but run the validation tool form Microsoft https://social.microsoft.com/Forums/...enuinewindows7

See what that brings up and if no joy just call the local Microsoft support site.

Hello Nick,

In addition, see if you may be able to activate with your key using either option in the tutorials below. :)

Activate Windows 7 Online

Activate Windows 7 by Phone

I have had this happen to me and all I had to do was Reboot 2 or 3 times and things were okay.

I can't tell you why it worked.

Nick,

Just to verify, are you sure that you have the correct product key that is on the COP sticker on the laptop (bottom or under battery), and not trying to use the SLP key that it came activated with from the factory? You will not be able to activate with the SLP key.

Product Key Number for Windows 7 - Find and See

Not unless the laptop had been activated with the key on the COA sticker before doing the repair install.

If you still have your factory recovery media, you could use it to restore Windows back to factory conditions and be activated.

Hmm just for the record my new Asus laptop came with a pre installed Win 7 Pro and not the 8 and I ended up having to ask the dealer for the activation code because all the search softwares were just throwing up the installer's "bulk" licence code.

So I suppose if nothing else works if you know the original installer contact them, and use the code they give you and I suppose you could quote the key from Start> Computer > right click Properties and get that from there for their reference there would have to be a link I reckon.

Anyway once you get it make sure you keep it in a couple of safe places because this is a situation that crops up so frequently and just highlights the problem with the seller/s - manufacturers not providing enough back up in the way of a disk or info.