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#1
Activating fresh install on preinstalled OEM laptop
I have a laptop which came with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. I did not make recovery disks or record the COA serial on the bottom. The hard drive failed, I have replaced the hard drive, and would like to install and activate the same OS that came with the laptop. I do have the Product ID and the original pre-installed (OEM) product key. I have working setup disc for Win7, correct edition and architecture - but it's retail. I have installed it successfully, but activation failed with the original OEM key.
The problem is that the COA key on the sticker on the bottom of the laptop is unreadable because the sticker has been worn out. I can read some characters of the key, however, so I have narrowed the key down to a set of 384 keys. However, it is not practical to try each of those possible keys. I think if I had the COA key, I could activate it, but there isn't really a way to get it at this point.
Is there a way to activate with the OEM key, other than what I have tried (i.e. activating from inside the completed install.) ? I think I read once that if you have the iso of the setup disc and can edit the files and repack it, then you can change it from a retail to OEM image by editing one file. Is this true? If so, I think I will try installing using that modified image. Otherwise, are there any other options?
Thanks in advance
PS: I have checked and I can purchase recovery discs from the Gateway (the OEM) but I would prefer no-cost options.