Windows 7 CD key issues

Tranquil Hegemo · 12 Apr 2015

Hopefully this is posted in the correct sub section of the forum - please feel free to move or advise where it should be posted if it is not.

I am currently rebuilding a laptop for a friend (HP Pavillion G6) and would like some advice please. I have been following the instructions provided in the Clean Reinstall Windows 7 tutorial but have run into an issue. I obtained the CD key using the KeyFinderInstaller program as the one attached to the underneath of the laptop is beyond readable and then removed all partitions on the drive using diskpart. I then used my Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 CD to reinstall windows to the laptop (the same version as that which was originally on the laptop) and entered the CD key that was obtained. The problem that I have is that the CD Key (starting 4FG99) is not accepted and following some more digging on the forums I suspect that this is the manufacturers build key and not the one specific to the laptop itself. Oh the beauty of hindsight...

So the question is - how can I get the key that is specific to the laptop so that I can rebuild this successfully? As previously noted the one on the underneath of the laptop is beyond legibility so that is an non-starter. Should also note that I have tried to rebuild this using the HP Recovery software and that gets to circa 63% and then goes no further (one of the CD's is damaged).

Thanks in advance.

AddRAM · 12 Apr 2015

Contact the manufacturer for new recovery cd`s

You could contact Microsoft about the key, but I doubt they will help you. They will just tell you to contact the manufacturer, but, you never know. :)

Tranquil Hegemo · 12 Apr 2015

Forgot to mention that I could get new Recovery CD's but only if I am willing to pay put something in the region of £35 which, being the bloodyminded person that I am will only be done as an absolute last resort.

NoelDP · 12 Apr 2015

You may be able to persuade MS to part with a new key....

Attempt Telephone Activation, and speak to an operator - they will tell you that your current Key is blocked (they should then ask for confirmation of your Product Key). Explain to them your problem, that you need to change the Key to the one on your sticker, but that the sticker is unreadable (could they please supply a replacement Key?). Hopefully they will ask for documentary proof of the sticker, in the form of an email with a picture of the affected sticker - and you can proceed from there.
Sometimes it takes two or three calls before you get an operator who actually knows and uses this procedure - but I know that it can and does happen.