Unable to activate windows 7

[hondaman2003]

When I right click computer, click properties, then click activate now I get the following error message:

The Windows 7 Product Key you typed is invalid for activation.

I already typed the product key that came with my computer during installation of a new version of windows.

How do I activate windows?

Here is the back story, so you don't make suggestions on things I already tried. I have a dell that came with windows 7 pro 64 bit. This is going to be a point of sale (POS) machine. The POS software can only work with 32 bit windows. But because of previous experience, I was going to just install a fresh copy of windows 7 pro 32 bit using the same key. This has worked for me before just a few months ago. This particular machine didn't come with a windows product key sticker like all other computers I have ever seen. Previously I was able to use the PID that was on the sticker but since it wasn't there this time, I downloaded a key finder application to get it out of the registry. This is the product key I am using.

Doing my searching on the internet I was informed of the possibility that there are actually two keys that come with an OEM machine. The key that is used for the factory install and a key that is on the sticker. Since I don't have a sticker, could this be the problem?

Please help.

 

[edfair]

hondaman's question:
"Would there be any sort of consequences later of having all these machines with the same key?"

I don't see any greater consequence than that of the 64 bit having the same code.

Discussed this with another tech today. He is of the opinion that 7 pro won't activate from a cloned CD install like we are discussing. I can't say other than I think it did the one time I attempted it. System I tried it with was set back to XP when I was through experimenting.




Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[ChrisHirst]

I know of an "activator" that works because I use it when setting up temporary VMs, "activation" is a real pain when you only need a clean install for just a few days of testing without having to kill the "You have 'X' days ...... etc. etc. " every startup, or having to spend pressing listening buttons, putting the code in again etc. etc.
I do have licences available from our "MS Action Pack", I just choose the easier route!

Chris.

Indifference will be the downfall of mankind, but who cares?
Time flies like an arrow, however, fruit flies like a banana.
Webmaster Forum

 

[hondaman2003]

cdogg,
I am using an MSDN version that requires a product key. Had this computer come with a sticker it would have worked because I did it with another Dell computer just a few months ago where I used this exact same version of windows 7 pro 32bit with the key on the side of the machine.

At the end of the day, the solution to this problem was to use a Dell OEM DVD. It will automatically activate when installed. Dell sent me the disc and I'm up and running.

Thank you everyone for taking part in this conversation.

 

[rclarke250]

Don't they still owe you an OEM COA? or did you purchase a box with no OS?

 

[hondaman2003]

I guess I didn't push that issue. They sent me a DVD and it worked.