Windows 7 Pro Invalid Product Key

Hello and welcome Steve mate try these

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

in safe mode if necessary then if this doesn't do anything using the OEM code - this .


REINSTALL

Forinstalling I prefer a disk to be honest but if you want to try again this isthe one to follow
CleanReinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 make sureit is the right version ie Home Premium or Ultimate whatever you have a codefor and then the language and do not use the ones with a large "N" or"old" beside them.
You can use a disk or USB stick with this.

Thats not an OEM version of Windows.....it's a retail version. Which product key are you using to attempt activation? (Do not post the product key hete)

Golden said:

Thats not an OEM version of Windows.....it's a retail version. Which product key are you using to attempt activation? (Do not post the product key hete)

Thanks Golden I am not really wise to those sorts of things

The installed Key is the Default Key for Pro - which can NEVER be activated.
What are the last 5 characters (only) of your OEM Key?

The Key ending in YMG8G certainly isn't the one in the report - which is good :)

It's not possible however to tell what type of Key it is without knowing the packaging.
OEM System Builder keys have a COA sticker that should be affixed to the case of the appropriate machine when first installed. The package is usually something like a DID case - rather than the VHS-style case of the Retail package.


NEVER post your full Key in public.

What error message do you get when you attempt to change the Key to the one on your COA sticker?

0xC004F050 usually means that you've misread a character - either C/G/6 or B/8 or Y/V are the most common, an O/0 is almost always a Q

Note that the following characters cannot be used - A E I L N O S U Z 1 0 - so don't bother trying unless you like the noise it makes :)

Try using this method to change the Key...


Recreate the Licensing Store
Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories
Right-Click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator - accept the UAC prompt
Run the following commands in the Command Prompt window, using the Enter key at the end of each

net stop sppsvc
(wait until the service has stopped before entering the following lines)

CD %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
REN tokens.dat tokens.bar
net start sppsvc
slui.exe

After a couple of seconds the Windows Activation dialog will appear.
You may be asked to re-activate and/or re-enter your product key, or Activation may occur automatically.
If you are asked for your Key, use the one on the COA sticker on the machine's case

Reboot and Post back with a new MGADiag report.

(Note: the Line 'CD %win......\SoftwareProtectionPlatform' is all on one line - it may be broken in the Forum listing)

Interesting - that forced me to check the Ts and C's of the refurbisher program

Citizenship Licenses
(a) Refurbisher may distribute the Software associated with Citizenship Licenses only to Eligible Recipients.
(b) Refurbisher may engage a third party to identify Eligible Recipients and to deliver Refurbished PCs to Eligible Recipients, provided that
(1) Refurbisher must ensure that such third party complies with the applicable terms of this agreement;
(2) If Refurbisher becomes aware the third entity is not complying with these terms, the Refurbisher must immediately notify MS and must stop distributing Refurbished PCs to such third party; and
(3) Refurbisher acknowledges and agrees that it is liable to MS for the third party’s actions and omissions.

For Citizenship Licenses, no pre-existing COA for a Microsoft Windows operating system product needs to be affixed for Refurbished PCs. Refurbisher must permanently affix a new Program COA for the Windows Operating System Software that is preinstalled on the Refurbished PC. The Program COA must be visible on the exterior of the Refurbished PC. If the Refurbished PC does have a pre-existing COA, Refurbisher may, at its option, either mark through or place a sticker of its own design and manufacture over the product key on the pre-existing COA. Refurbisher must not remove or obscure the serial number on the pre-existing COA.

(b) Product Keys. Refurbisher will be provided Program credentials required to obtain Product Keys to enable activation of Refurbished PCs.
(1) Refurbisher must provide the following to MS in order to obtain a Product Key:
(i) valid Program user name, password and any other required Program credentials;
(ii) the serial number or COA ID on the Refurbished PC’s pre-existing COA, if applicable; and
(iii) the serial number or COA ID on the Program COA.
(2) Refurbisher must have connection to the internet in order to obtain Product Keys.
(3) Whether Refurbisher is using Program COAs that include Product Keys or obtaining the Product Keys separate from the Program COAs, Refurbisher must also report the following for Citizenship COAs:
(i) full name of the entity that will be purchasing the Refurbished PC from Refurbisher or the name of the TAP in which the entity is a participant ("Purchasing Entity");
(ii) city and country of location of the Purchasing Entity; and
(iii) type of Purchasing Entity (Eligible Academic User, Eligible Charitable Organisation, or Specially Approved Recipient).
(c) Product Key to accompany the Refurbished PC. The Product Key for each Refurbished PC must be provided with the Refurbished PC in the form of a printed document. The document will be generated by the Program Web Site and include the Product Key and Program COA serial numbers.

So you got the Product Key on a printed document?

This would definitely be an OEM one - and I can see no reason why it shouldn't be accepted by the system (although there are possible reasons why the Activation server wouldn't accept it).

Have you attempted to rebuild the licensing store yet?