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3 licenses for Windows 7 Upgrade used up;how do i get 1 released for a failed hdd

  • 03-04-2011 10:12PM
    #1
    thekooman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,221 ✭✭✭


    hi all,
    I have a 3 license version of Windows 7 home premium upgrade.
    it was put on 2 laptops.
    1 of the laptops was giving a bsod so i re-installed a clean version of windows 7 on it and it activated fine.
    it was still giving a bsod and i think it was the harddrive so i put in a new harddrive and re-installed windows 7 again.
    When I go to activate this installed version it says the product key is invalid.

    Who do i contact in microsoft licensing to get this resolved? anyone had any experiences with them?


Comments

  • #2
    cookie1977
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,794 ✭✭✭cookie1977


    I've had to contact them about too many installs of office a few years back (liked wiping and reinstalling) and never had a problem when I explained. Why not install windows 7 and then follow the telephone activation (this is what I did for office)


  • #3
    thekooman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,221 ✭✭✭thekooman


    perfect cookie... ill just give that number a buzz.


  • #4
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,683 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    theyre Licenses, not Activations. You can use the software on up to 3 PCs


  • #5
    thekooman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,221 ✭✭✭thekooman


    hmmmm, so its been used on 2 pc's.... maybe i putting in the key wrong.will check back to the mail i got from MS.


  • #6
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,160 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Did you do a clean install with the Windows 7 Upgrade disc? If so then this is your problem. It's refusing to activate as it didn't detect a previous OS to upgrade.


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  • #7
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,683 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Karsini wrote: »
    Did you do a clean install with the Windows 7 Upgrade disc? If so then this is your problem. It's refusing to activate as it didn't detect a previous OS to upgrade.
    thats new. ive done it fine on mine before.


  • #8
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 18,160 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    It only applies if the disk is blank upon booting from the setup DVD. If there's an eligible OS present at this point then you can wipe the disk and do a clean install. But if there's no eligible OS installed then it will usually let you carry on with the install, but it will refuse to activate.

    There are a list of workarounds here. These are, of course, only legal if you do have a legitimate version of a previous OS (XP or Vista).

    http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media


  • #9
    thekooman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,221 ✭✭✭thekooman


    Karsini wrote: »
    It only applies if the disk is blank upon booting from the setup DVD. If there's an eligible OS present at this point then you can wipe the disk and do a clean install. But if there's no eligible OS installed then it will usually let you carry on with the install, but it will refuse to activate.

    There are a list of workarounds here. These are, of course, only legal if you do have a legitimate version of a previous OS (XP or Vista).

    http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/clean-install-windows-7-with-upgrade-media
    many thanks karsini; I rearmed the activation using "slmgr /rearm" (and changed registry), rebooted and entered in the product key which activated the new Windows install... sorry for not replying sooner; haven't had chance to look at it since.
    not sure why it wouldn't accept it before this.


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