Product Key from Factory clone

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #1

    Product Key from Factory clone


    Is there anyway of me obtaining a product key or at least activating windows 7 on this drive?

    ___________________________________________________________________________________

    I have just had issues with windows becoming unusable on its original drive.
    Everything else was working fine only windows really had any issues.
    So I have tried to install windows on another drive and keep it dedicated to windows but I don't have a Product Key because it was put on by the company that assembled the PC.

    I do still have it installed on my other hard drive but I am unable to remove it, the way this is set up now I can at least still access everything on the drive. I would like to remove windows from the other drive but I wouldn't know how.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 16,129
    7 X64
       #2

    Several ways to do it :

    Make an image of your original windows installation.

    Then restore the image to the new HD.

    After that, try a repair install to fix your windows issues.

    You will need to make bootable media to do the restore, the program below does it for you as well as creating and restoring images.

    Best imaging program - the standard version is free :

    Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 Free Backup and Restore Software


    Select System Backup http://www.backup-utility.com/system...-software.html

    To create bootable restore media: http://www.backup-utility.com/featur...able-disc.html



    Try this first:


    Another way - probably simpler - but only if your 7 was either a regular retail or a system builder pre install. You would probably have that if it is a desktop from a specialist manufacturer, like chillblast, palicomp, or similar. From your system specs, that seems likely.You can find the product key with any number of programs , produkey for example. http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       #3

    The company that assembled the PC is obliged to affix a COA sticker with the product Key on it to the machine - are you saying they neglected to do that (or haven't you looked?)

    Is the hard drive the ONLY change you made to the system?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I have the windows 7 CD etc but there is no product key.
    I used a program to find my key before but it said I couldn't use a factory key or something.
    forget exactly what it said but I installed the program after using it.

    Yeh hard drive is only change, I had same 3 drives in before but luckily one I had barely used.
    If I create an image wouldn't that possibly be copying whatever problems I previously had with windows before?

    I will try contact the manufacturer to give me a key
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       #5

    If the machine came preinstalled and you don't have a COA sticker, you have no license to use Windows. If you paid the manufacturer for a machine with a Windows license, then they are either guilty of fraud or at least of misrepresentation - and can be prosecuted. You should pursue them with threats of legal action (and mean it!).
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Well its confusing because I have a sticker. And on it does say COA Barcodes so I imagine that's the COA sticker
    but it doesn't have a product key on it, so its kind of confusing.

    It says.

    OEM System Builder Pack
    Intended for system builders ONLY
    www.microsoft.com/oem

    If you open this package:
    Each individual software license inside this package may ONLY be distributed with a fully assembled computer.

    Which would all be fine if reformatting wasn't something that had to happen sometimes.
      My Computer


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

    That's not a COA sticker - although it indicates that there should be one - it's the sticker from the OUTSIDE of the OEM_SB package (which includes the COA sticker on the inside)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Theres a chance ive lost it since I have moved recently.
    though don't think I would have needed to use my windows 7 cd before.

    Is there any easy way to just buy a new key? I don't feel like I have any other options
      My Computer

  9.   My Computer


  10. Posts : 5
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #10

    I used something like that before got a key but it said I wasn't allowed to activate with it. because its for new system only or something.
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:07.
Find Us