Dodgy Windows on Chinese Laptop

ppshay

While working in China a friend bought a Lenovo laptop for a few hundred Euro. He's back in Ireland now and tried to do a reinstall to discover the machine had a doddy product key that won't activate. Don't suppose there is anything he can do?

Mr. G

If the product key on the label won't activate it's probably from an OEM disk. This should have came with the box from Lenovo - He can ring and give them the serial number, then they might send one out if it's lost.

The industry in China is known for selling fakes though, just to know.

was.deevey

Normally its on a recovery partition these days, although the version of Windows may well have been the regional Chinese version which is why a dodgy version was put on in the first place.

It wont activate (after install) or wont let him enter the product key (during install) .. if its the latter, then its the wrong windows verison, otherwise a phone activation should do the trick.

ppshay

was.deevey wrote: »

Normally its on a recovery partition these days, although the version of Windows may well have been the regional Chinese version which is why a dodgy version was put on in the first place.

It wont activate (after install) or wont let him enter the product key (during install) .. if its the latter, then its the wrong windows verison, otherwise a phone activation should do the trick.

It takes the product key but won't activate.

Jelly bean got the key from the registry, there's no COA sticker.

notmymark

If it’s Windows 8 then manufactures are no longer required to use COA stickers.

I would contact Lenovo Support, with the serial number of the machine they should be able to tell you about its original licence (if any). Also you can go to www.lenovorecovery.com if you want to buy the original recovery media. If memory serves you can enter your serial number there and it will also tell you about the original OS for the machine.

DLMA23

May be an option OP?

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Apologies never noticed reply #4

Mr McBoatface

Important question - Windows 7 or Windows 8 or 8.1 ?

If you are trying to install windows 8.1 using a windows 8 key it won't work, you need to enter the generic windows 8.1 key for installation and activate using the windows 8 key.

If it's windows 7 you mother board should have a SLIC 2.1 marker in the bios. You could try installing with a Windows 7 iso modified with the multi-oem files from MDL. This will install and activate Windows 7 without the need to enter a key.

ppshay

It's an E49L with Windows 7 Ultimate. The Lenovo web site or lenovorecovery.com don't recognise the serial number. Need the serial number too to send them an email.



Will call them and see.

notmymark

ppshay wrote: »

It's an E49L with Windows 7 Ultimate. The Lenovo web site or lenovorecovery.com don't recognise the serial number. Need the serial number too to send them an email.

Will call them and see.

You can try the P/N as well, its similar in format to the one i have had to give to Lenovo in the past.

Mr McBoatface

Just download the Windows 7 iso from digital river and modify it with the Multi-OEM pack as detailed on MDL . Burn to a DVD and you will have an OEM re-installation DVD you can use on any brand PC or laptop.

yoyo

It's possible the machine came with a legitimate OS such as Win 7 Professional or Home Premium and some crack was used to turn it into the Ultimate edition. Don't think I've ever seen new machines ship with Ultimate except gaming laptops

Nick

was.deevey

It's an E49L with Windows 7 Ultimate.

Hmm, the Chinese Amazon site lists that model as having DOS 14, no mention of Windows though - so perhaps it doesn't ship with it.

riclad

you could install,mint linux, on it,set up a dual boot,
While leaving existing windows installation,as it is.
google mint linux iso .
or run mint linux from a cdrom,or usb key.
MINT has a web browser, vlc player, music player built in.
This leaves a menu ,on bootup,
press 1 mint linux, 2 for windows .