Activation problem after reinstall

cupraju · 12 Oct 2011

I have a problem with the activation code on my HP touchsmart tx2. I bought the laptop originally with Windows Vista installed and made the recovery discs as requested. When I bought it there was an offer on to upgrade to windows 7 for free (as long as the postage was paid) so I did that and installed the windows 7 upgrade. The new activation sticker was then attached to the bottom of the laptop next to the Vista one. Now that I am looking to sell the laptop, I have reinstalled Vista with the recovery discs and done the upgrade again as I have to do, however the activation key has worn off the sticker and I can`t activate it even though it is genuine.
What can I do now to fix this or am I screwed unless I pay for a new license?

thanks in advance

Maguscreed · 12 Oct 2011

Yeah you need the key, if you had asked about it before reformatting the system there were ways we could have pulled the key off the currently installed copy and then you would have it again.
If you can't read the key you are kind of out of luck though.

mach04 · 12 Oct 2011

If I were you I'll contact Microsoft for they might have registered you in their system for giving an extra Windows.

cupraju · 12 Oct 2011

Maguscreed said:

Yeah you need the key, if you had asked about it before reformatting the system there were ways we could have pulled the key off the currently installed copy and then you would have it again.
If you can't read the key you are kind of out of luck though.

Tbh I didn't think I just jumped in with both feet!

cupraju · 12 Oct 2011

mach04 said:

If I were you I'll contact Microsoft for they might have registered you in their system for getting an extra Windows.

Maybe that's a possibility, it was around Jan 2010. You would think though that the stickers should be more robust if fitted on the bottom.

Maguscreed · 12 Oct 2011

For some reason they seem to assume the stickers are going on a desktop case or something, they really aren't that robust on a laptop.
I've actually taken to putting them on the inside of one of the panels... this can backfire as well though as it gets pretty hot in there depending.

gregrocker · 12 Oct 2011

Is it the Vista or Win7 Product Key which is worn off?

If Vista, Win7 Upgrade Kits can be booted to clean install without doing an in-place Upgrade from Vista. Clean Install Windows 7.

If Win7 then you'll need to contact manufacturer to see if they can replace the key, unless you have a backup image of Win7 you can reapply to audit the Product Key with Belarc.

Most Upgrade Kits had the COA sticker affixed to the DVD envelope. How is it you attached it to machine? I'm wondering why would it be worn off if Vista's isn't?

cupraju · 12 Oct 2011

Both the Vista and 7 product key stickers are attached to the base and both are worn off, however as I have the recovery discs from a clean install of the original Vista, I didn't need to enter any activation key.
The 7 upgrade disc had the sticker on the sleeve but that simply peels off and attaches to wherever you decide to put it. In hindsight It would of been better leaving it on the sleeve.
I feel a bit cheated now that I will have to purchase something that I already own!

Maguscreed · 12 Oct 2011

Sadly this appears to be a live and learn situation for you here, and yes, I do keep copies of all my windows and software keys on both a secure flash drive, and on good old fashioned paper.

You are not alone, I do feel for you but sadly there's nothing I can do, I'm using both my win 7 keys.

gregrocker · 12 Oct 2011

I would pursue this with manufacturers tech support or the vendor who did their Product fulfillment for Upgrade kits.

They may be able to come up with the key for you as it was supposed to be logged to your SN to tie it to Vista key under the Upgrade Kit agreement with MS, which was quite stringent requiring a separate DVD with only the OS. For this reason, MS Customer Service might even help you.

I was told this dirrectly by an Acer Support supervisor who provided the key for a friend who lost the disk about a year after I clean installed it for him. Since then I log all keys I install in a passworded zip file.