Activation key does not work anymore

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  1. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #11

    Brink said:
    Jumanji,

    That can't be correct at all unless he meant within a short time frame. I know for a fact that I have activated my system online with a retail Windows 7 way more than 5 times with as many clean reinstalls I end up having to do with all the testing I do on it. This is based on years of personal experience.

    I'm sure that there must be some secret number of activations allowed within a short time frame before it gets flagged to require a phone activation for a unknown period of time, but a retail copy is not suppose to have a limit on how many times it can be activated (online or phone) as long as it's only activated on one computer at a time and removed from any others first. An exception is if the retail product key has been invalidated by Microsoft for what ever reason (ex: activation abuse by customer).
    Thanks Brink for bringing out your personal experience.

    It is a pity that Microsoft keeps the end-users in dark in such matters that affect him and we as users are to rely upon user experiences rather than any authentic official information by the provider.

    One reason why I tend to recommend staying with OEM-SLP activations rather than submitting oneself blindly to COA-SLP activation without knowing what is in store next time and the next time however frequent or infrequent the necessity for activation arises. Well Brink, it is not a serious issue for me and those who back up compulsively, but there are thousands and thousands of users who do not back-up and who don't even have a security software in place.We try to reach only a handful and educate them.

    As NoelDP seems to point out in the previous post there could also be a communication gap between the user and the service provider especially on a phone conversation due to weak proficiency in oral communication, listening and understanding capabilities on both sides. These are the perils of activation by phone live.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #12

    NoelDP said:
    ........I would suggest using telephone activation again - and stressing that all previous installations have been removed, and this is the ONLY computer with this Key currently installed.
    I took a break and so thought it fit to put this in a subsequent post and as directly related to OP's query.

    Hi NoelDP,

    The OP states that he changed the retail product key to OEM product key. So I presume that it was not a clean install with the OEM version after wiping out the previous retail install.

    Does this by any chance nullify the retail key (just like one loses the original key after an upgrade - sorry if I sound like a noob - I am, on upgrades:) ) and could be the cause of OP's problem in activation of the retail key? Microsoft servers may have perceived it as an upgrade from Retail to OEM?

    However gibberish it may sound, will wiping that install completely and doing a fresh clean OEM install retrieve the retail key if it has been lost that way?

    Just my thoughts that was hovering in my mind since I read this post. I was just waiting for your analysis of MGA Diag Report.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #13

    Sbrideau said:
    Also I have more than one copy because I have 2 computers. Retail is garbage, OEM is not. Next time I'll just pay the $150 for OEM and leave the retail alone.
    I understand why you have 2 copies, I just found it odd that you seemed to go from being a fan willing to pay for Windows, to somebody who said it was garbage almost instantly.

    I don't think the retail version is garbage at all. If you are the type who will go from computer to computer frequently, it's the most cost effective way to keep Windows installed legitimately on your newest computer. (aside from perhaps having a technet subscription).

    And OEM licenses, while gladly sold to you from chains like NewEgg and Tiger Direct are not intended to be sold to the customer for use on their own home computers. Technically, this copy is restricted to an end user builder who builds and sells the system and then provides support to the customer.

    Overall, the fact that licensing is so tough is a pain for everyone. And this pain was brought on by piracy and people who don't abide by licensing terms unless forced. And while piracy continues as people use hacked copies and such, the people who do pay for the software often suffer. Generally speaking, things work as they are expected, but occasionally they do not...and we have a situation like the one in this thread. Sad but true.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       #14

    jumanji said:
    The OP states that he changed the retail product key to OEM product key. So I presume that it was not a clean install with the OEM version after wiping out the previous retail install.
    That's irrelevant - it is within the allowed procedure to switch from a Retail Key, to an OEM Key (it's very bad practice, but it is allowed)
    A Retail Key can be used to activate ANY system, so long as the other criteris are met.

    Does this by any chance nullify the retail key (just like one loses the original key after an upgrade - sorry if I sound like a noob - I am, on upgrades:) ) and could be the cause of OP's problem in activation of the retail key? Microsoft servers may have perceived it as an upgrade from Retail to OEM?
    not sure what you're getting at there?


    MS Activation servers simply look at the current data and compare it with the history *for that Key*.
    If the hardware hash is the same, then it will usually activate without a problem.
    If the hash is sufficiently different, then it will require telephone activation, and an explanation to an operator.

    The first time a Key is put through the activation system it 'owns' (for want of a better phrase) a hash - many Keys can own the same hash, but only one hash can be owned by any given Key (except for special keys such as Family Upgrade, MAK, or TechNet.MSDN) - so in database termes, you have (for normal Retail or OEM_COA Keys) a many/one relationship, rather than a one/one or a many/many relationship

    (Yes - I'm struggling to make sense in the explanation! - once you understand it, it's easy, but the trick is to forget most logic along the way :) )

    However gibberish it may sound, will wiping that install completely and doing a fresh clean OEM install retrieve the retail key if it has been lost that way?
    .
    TBH - that is gibberish.
    The Retail key is on the Retail packaging - or in a valid install. It is nowhere else.

    What do you mean by an 'OEM Install'? there are at least three scenarios that I can think of for that, that lead to dramatically different points!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 189
    Windows 10 Pro / OpenSUSE
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Ok, I didn't have time to call because I've been very busy these last few days, but I will call them on Monday as soon as I have time, which should be early afternoon. I'l make sure they know the situation this time and not just tell them and see what their answer is. Let's hope that this time the issue will be resolve, which would mean a successful phone activation.

    Also, still being pretty inexperienced with these things, I wasn't aware of just changing the key being a bad practice, and if I have to do a clean reinstall of my desktop I will go ahead and do it, I don't have much on it that I would need to keep anyway. Guess everyone learns one way or the other :P.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       #16

    It's not the change of Key that's bad practice - it's self-installing an OEM License on a computer that's bad practice.

    OEM System Builder Licenses come with their own SLT's (Software License Terms) - to which you agree when opening the pack.
    These state in part that the installation must be on a new computer for sale to a third party.
    MS has never been known to enforce this section yet (to my knowledge) but it does have the ability to rescind a license which has been installed outside of these terms.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 189
    Windows 10 Pro / OpenSUSE
    Thread Starter
       #17

    I see, and is it still bad practice if I built my own desktop? Anyway it's good to know.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       #18

    Yes. The OEM System Builder license is intended ONLY for the smaller 'Mom&Pop' store to install Windows for their customers.
    It is NOT intended (contrary to popular belief) to allow the enthusiast/hobbyist to install on their own machines.

    The proper license for ANYONE who either builds or purchases a 'OS-free' machine for their own use is the Full Retail license. Even Multinitionals have to abide by that rule - and they DO get regularly audited, and ARE occasionally prosecuted for transgressions.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 189
    Windows 10 Pro / OpenSUSE
    Thread Starter
       #19

    Oddly enough when I called today the person at the other end didn't have any trouble giving me the numbers that goes in the step 3 of the activation by phone option. I now have a successful activation.

    Thanks for all the information you gave me guys, helped a bit.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 71,975
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #20

    That's great news. Thank you for posting back with your results. :)
      My Computer


 
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