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[HELP] Windows 7 Activation

Asked by Mohammad_Khalid_Hussain,

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Mohammad_Khalid_Hussain

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Salam to the Muslims on the forum,

And a friendly Hi! to everyone else...

I am currently in a problem with my laptop. I was playing around with Linux after installing it on my Asus laptop and ended up accidentally converting the whole laptop disk to a Dynamic disk and could no longer boot from it. I tried looking for solutions but some of them involved hardware which I did not have (and don't have as of yet). I needed my laptop urgently for school work so I reinstalled Windows 7 Home Premium (the same version that shipped with the laptop, except I think it was retail) and used the key I found on the bottom of the laptop.

Unfortunately, this key does not work and I have a day left for activation. I have the laptop, the key is genuine, how can I activate my version of Windows 7?

My details:

Laptop Model: Asus K43SA

Windows Version: Windows 7 Home Premium x64

Ram : 8GB DDR3

Hard Disk: 640GB

If there are any other details you need, please do ask....

Thanks for your time and effort.

Regards,

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Mohammad_Khalid_Hussain

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I don't think I want to call the OEM since I installed the Windows 7 as an UEFI install on a GPT disk. If they restore the hard disk to its original state, I will loose this configuration.

Are you sure there are no other ways besides calling Microsoft?

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Grand Master

Detection

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You need the OEM DVD or like Frazell said call MS. I had to once and the procedure is painless. Just explain to them what happened.

I thought since Vista, Windows doesnt care if you use an OEM or Retail disk ?

@ OP - If you open Command Prompt (Right click > Run as admin)

Type

slmgr -rearm

Then hit enter and wait for the popup, then reboot, you will have another 30 days to work something out

You can do that about 4 times, but wait until your days are nearly up or you waste what you had left

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+Gary7 Subscriber²

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I thought since Vista, Windows doesnt care if you use an OEM or Retail disk ?

@ OP - If you open Command Prompt (Right click > Run as admin)

Type

slmgr -rearm

Then hit enter and wait for the popup, then reboot, you will have another 30 days to work something out

You can do that about 4 times, but wait until your days are nearly up or you waste what you had left

Many OEM's no longer give you the DVD but an OEM key will not work on a retail installation as the OP has proven.

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Neo003

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I don't think I want to call the OEM since I installed the Windows 7 as an UEFI install on a GPT disk. If they restore the hard disk to its original state, I will loose this configuration.

Are you sure there are no other ways besides calling Microsoft?

You have to call MS and just talk normally and say your key didn't work; they'll ask you where you bought the computer and then ask you to read the product key which is in the back of your laptop. They'll see if it's not blacklisted and if it is they'll let you know and will tell you next course of action, if they key is good then once they fix stuff on their end (I think they have to reset the activation counter or something) and will tell you to try the key again.

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Grand Master

Detection

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Many OEM's no longer give you the DVD but an OEM key will not work on a retail installation as the OP has proven.

Thanks, so is it a Retail Key that works with an OEM disk then ? (Opposite way around?)

I`m sure it works one way or another

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+Gary7 Subscriber²

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Thanks, so is it a Retail Key that works with an OEM disk then ? (Opposite way around?)

I`m sure it works one way or another

Yes I believe so, I was able to upgrade my OEM Windows 7 Home Edition to Windows 7 Pro using a retail key that I had from a previous machine that I scrapped.

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Neo003

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Ok kept searching on the net regarding the problem and found a solution, which I hope that'll work for you.

First you'll need a software like MagicISO or something along the line.

Create an ISO image of the install disk

Locate the file ei.cfg which is in the \sources folder on the disk

Alter the entry value for 'Channel' from Retail to OEM

Burn the altered ISO image to disk, to create a new install disk which will work with your OEM install key.

Credit to: Techwrighter

*This is not supported by MS, Afaik it?s in a grey area for changing anything what MS provides in media, In order of EULA agreement if you're changing the file for malicious intend (example: using Win 7 home key to install ultimate version or installing in multiple system) that's definitely illegal. But many IT pros use these methods to customize the installation. Since you're installing windows only on one computer and with legitimate key provided by OEM MS will let it go (I think).

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Grand Master

+Gary7 Subscriber²

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Works for me. Only thing is I have to activate it over the phone rather than over the internet.

So then you can take say a DELL OEM DVD and go and build your own PC and use this Dell OEM DVD and MS will activate it for you.? I think you better read the EULA that comes with a OEM.

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Mohammad_Khalid_Hussain

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Okay, so let me get this straight:

1) If I call Microsoft and key Windows activated, do I have to do this every time I reinstall Windows?

2) If I create the OEM disc, it will automatically activate once I enter my legitimate key in there?

3) There is no way to change a retail installation to OEM once Windows has been installed?

Thanks for all the help so far. :)

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Grand Master

Mando

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heya bud

Okay, so let me get this straight:

1) If I call Microsoft and key Windows activated, do I have to do this every time I reinstall Windows?

2) If I create the OEM disc, it will automatically activate once I enter my legitimate key in there?

3) There is no way to change a retail installation to OEM once Windows has been installed?

Thanks for all the help so far. :)

1) No (only if your hardware keeps changing and you go over the threshhold, OEM licences are more restrictive)

2) No (would still need activation)

3) No (you can change the PID of the media, not of a final install)

Never tried installing from retail media with an OEM key, id be very very surprised if it accepted the key (oem key & retail XP disk does not work, and vice versa, doubt Vista/W7 would be any different).

If it did then all those COAs on work PCs would be nabbed (99% of the time this isnt the key that OEMs install with, they have a VLK key/image for cloning) would be used to install Windows 7 gratis on a key thats unregged.....<<this does not work btw ;o) you need ideally the OEM restore CDs you were instructed to create the first time you started up the laptop/read the pamphlet in the box, this will work perfectly with your key/activate no problem (and yes I know you probs didnt make the restore disks, its a common mistake)

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Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

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I skimmed the thread but let me give out my 2 cents

1) If you have any kind of vista dvd, just use it to reinstall windows and then use the key on the bottom of the computer.

2) Once windows is installed you do not have to activate by phone, I use to think that was the case as well. Then I learned all you have to do is open a keyfinder application (jellybeankeyfinder) copy the vista key, go to activate and click change product key. Then paste in the key (which in fact is the exact same key that wouldn't work before) and tell it to activate. For some reason this time around it will activate just fine.

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Grand Master

Mando

Posted
Posted

I skimmed the thread but let me give out my 2 cents

1) If you have any kind of vista dvd, just use it to reinstall windows and then use the key on the bottom of the computer.

2) Once windows is installed you do not have to activate by phone, I use to think that was the case as well. Then I learned all you have to do is open a keyfinder application (jellybeankeyfinder) copy the vista key, go to activate and click change product key. Then paste in the key (which in fact is the exact same key that wouldn't work before) and tell it to activate. For some reason this time around it will activate just fine.

I didnt know that trick :) must try that next time :) Although i do enjoy the failing of online activation to get to listen to the woman saying "Welcome to the Microsoft Activation Wizard, presss # to continue"

Block A 45394 press # to move to the next block Block B 39753 Bl....etc :p in the office theres always some bellend who decides that its not important and tries to have a convo while your using the phone method lolol

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Mohammad_Khalid_Hussain

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Okay guys, I managed to solve my problem without creating a new installation disc, without calling Microsoft and without reformatting the laptop.

I just followed this guide over here.

Apparently you just have to re-enter your key again. Thanks for all the help guys ! :)

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