See: Activate Windows 7 by Phone
Sorry, it's only a 30 day trial (it is in the tutorial)
Get Help Activating Microsoft Windows
edit: The phone numbers are somewhere on Microfot.com
I can't locate them now though.
If you go round a few times with SLUI
try searching for authentication or activation.
be careful to only accept Microsoft results or only serach Microsoft.com- there are bogus site out there and they are dangerous.
Hey Slarty - that is the method I've tried to use, but there is no option there for phone activation on this machine - it only shows the "Buy a new key", "Activate online now" and "contact Microsoft for help" options. I do know I selected on install to do Activation online, and right now the countdown says "2 days until automatic activation" (it said 3 when I first did the install)....do I have to wait until this 3-day period ends before the phone activation method will appear?
I've found the phone numbers and called this morning, but nobody could help me because I was told that department wasn't open yet and would be 1.5 hours later...couldn't wait though as I had to head to work.
Even if I call though, don't I need the "Product ID Activation" thing to come up on the computer to do the phone activation with an MS rep?
Ok....update - called Microsoft, they checked the key and said it is a legitimate key, but it is "blocked" as it is an OEM key, so it cannot be reactivated. I assume this means the key was an OEM/SLP key, probably from Dell where the computer is from.
If that is the case, as the computer has no factory recovery partitions or original factory recovery disks (unless the last tech still has them and somehow used them the last time these people had to get their computer reformatted), does that mean he probably "activated" that key through sketchy means?
Stupid question....keys aren't tied to individual DISKS are they? I.E. if he had an OEM install disk that he used, that wouldn't have "blocked" this key unless I reinstalled with that same disk, would it? (Pretty sure this isn't the case, but, like I said, getting pretty frustrated at this point and trying to make sure I understand everything clearly so I can explain to my clients how they now have to go buy another copy of Windows or a new computer, or go with a different OS like Linux if they don't want to put more money into it...)
Microsoft doesn't care what Windows 7 disc you use or how many times you use it.
What Microsoft care about is the COA key. What kind it is and how it is being used.
Microsoft give a method to download Windows 7 and burn it to a DVD free.
What they didn't give is the COA key to activate it properly. Nasty old Microsoft want paid for that COA key.
Keep this in mind that their are many reasons that Windows 7 will not activate and they can be repaired to activate. Doesn't sound like yours is repairable until you get a proper COA key.
That is why in post #9 I mentioned doing this tutorial so are experts can take a look.
If I understand your post Microsoft stated it was a oem/slp key which they don't help with.
Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions
I will be gone now and leave you in the hands of Slartybart
Hi Layback,
Thanks for the info! I had already followed the instructions in that tutorial though - my MGADiag info is attached in a text file in my very first post of this thread, however, here it is again if need be in the "code" form! :)
Code:Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0): ----------------------------------------- Windows Validation Data--> Validation Code: 0 Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012 Windows Product Key: *****-*****-QCPVQ-KHRB8-RMV82 Windows Product Key Hash: +Rj3N34NLM2JqoBO/OzgzTZXgbY= Windows Product ID: 00359-OEM-8992687-00095 Windows Product ID Type: 2 Windows License Type: OEM SLP Windows OS version: 6.1.7601.2.00010300.1.0.003 ID: {2FBFAA12-9EF5-48E8-BA5C-20A430614FA3}(3) Is Admin: Yes TestCab: 0x0 LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Product Name: Windows 7 Home Premium Architecture: 0x00000009 Build lab: 7601.win7sp1_gdr.141211-1742 TTS Error: Validation Diagnostic: Resolution Status: N/A Vista WgaER Data--> ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Windows XP Notifications Data--> Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 File Exists: No Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 OGA Notifications Data--> Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 OGA Data--> Office Status: 109 N/A OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002 Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002 Office Diagnostics: 025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3 Browser Data--> Proxy settings: N/A User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Win32) Default Browser: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled Active scripting: Allowed Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed File Scan Data--> Other data--> Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{2FBFAA12-9EF5-48E8-BA5C-20A430614FA3}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.1.7601.2.00010300.1.0.003</OS><Architecture>x64</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-RMV82</PKey><PID>00359-OEM-8992687-00095</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-3425855034-1406146145-2587759181</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Model>Inspiron 545</Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Dell Inc.</Manufacturer><Version>A11</Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="5"/><Date>20090907000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>16C53607018400F8</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Atlantic Standard Time(GMT-04:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>DELL </OEMID><OEMTableID>FX09 </OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>109</Result><Products/><Applications/></Office></Software></GenuineResults> Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002 Licensing Data--> Software licensing service version: 6.1.7601.17514 Name: Windows(R) 7, HomePremium edition Description: Windows Operating System - Windows(R) 7, OEM_SLP channel Activation ID: d2c04e90-c3dd-4260-b0f3-f845f5d27d64 Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f Extended PID: 00359-00178-926-800095-02-1033-7601.0000-0162015 Installation ID: 010221763632869905165832243203700536543746515764221595 Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88338 Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88339 Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88341 Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=88340 Partial Product Key: RMV82 License Status: Initial grace period Time remaining: 42720 minute(s) (29 day(s)) Remaining Windows rearm count: 3 Trusted time: 1/16/2015 9:57:26 PM Windows Activation Technologies--> HrOffline: 0x00000000 HrOnline: N/A HealthStatus: 0x0000000000000000 Event Time Stamp: N/A ActiveX: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395 Admin Service: Registered, Version: 7.1.7600.16395 HealthStatus Bitmask Output: HWID Data--> HWID Hash Current: MAAAAAEABAABAAEAAAABAAAAAQABAAEAln3KuYhAjmgs4GT+iP3qpCLeHhiOJUxY OEM Activation 1.0 Data--> N/A OEM Activation 2.0 Data--> BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes Windows marker version: 0x20001 OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes BIOS Information: ACPI Table Name OEMID Value OEMTableID Value APIC DELL FX09 FACP DELL FX09 HPET DELL FX09 MCFG DELL FX09 SLIC DELL FX09 DMY2 DELL FX09 SSDT PmRef CpuPm
All I see is Microsoft is asking for validation. Which means you will need the proper COA key.
From your log.
License Status: Initial grace period Time remaining: 42720 minute(s) (29 day(s)
Guess we are out of luck then...there are no COA stickers on the machine (as they have been removed), I don't have any factory recovery media for it, and the key I do have won't activate.
A grateful thanks anyway for the help though gents! Would still love to know how that other tech managed to get that key working if MS says it's blocked...something sounds fishy to me there...
A few things:
1) the MGA log says it's all good
2) MS said they couldn't help you because the key is blocked in their DB. I mentioned this might be the case
3) MS also punted since it's an OEM - try the Dell route.
4) I have no idea where the key came from - I thought perhaps that the tech had simply given you the OEM key, but apparently he gave you a valid key for a Dell machine
5)The partner agreement between MS and an OEM places the responsibility on the OEM. I also mentioned this before.
6) the 2 day automatic activation is only when Windows will try to automatically activate. It sounds as though it will fail to activate from your conversation with MS (they told you the key is blocked). Why it is blocked, I don't know - could be too many attempts to activate, could be a bad key that wasn't in the DB of blocked keys before (when the other tech was able to activate Windows)
7) LayBackBear showed you that you have 29 days remaining on the 30 day trial period. Use that time to chase down a solution. If you want more time on the trial see:
License Information for Windows 7
Also look in the related tutorials at the bottom of the first post for ideas.
You mentioned Linux. I tried a few and really like Mint Mate.
Main Page - Linux Mint
You're sort of trapped in the legal world of licensing.
If MS and Dell can't help you straighten this out, I'm won't be able to help you either. All I can do is offer some advice on who to contact. I've done that and a bit more. I've exhausted everything I have to offer.
The bottom line is that you're going to need a valid key. How you get it is up to you now.
Use the tutorial section to find out more on licensing.
Good luck,
Billl
.
Thanks Noel, but this is a desktop...going to call Dell later today and see what they say.
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