Windows activation on Dell

Bossk128

Bossk128

Bossk128

Associate
Joined
12 Sep 2006
Posts
1,379
Location
Tayside
Help! Just wiped windows 7 from a new Dell laptop for a friend with the aim of reinstalling from genuine media and the legal key attached to the laptop. However Windows states this license key is not available for activation . It is a Dell license key so perhaps its volume licensing, but how do I activate it?
 
Bossk128 said:
Help! Just wiped windows 7 from a new Dell laptop for a friend with the aim of reinstalling from genuine media and the legal key attached to the laptop. However Windows states this license key is not available for activation . It is a Dell license key so perhaps its volume licensing, but how do I activate it?
Click to expand...

What is the version on the sticker on the Dell Laptop?
 
Windows home premium 64. That's the same version oI used to install. Windows is happy with the key, ie it's accepted, but activation is the problem. I should have known out wouldn't be this easy!
 
That's a great idea.It won't automatically provide that phone number. I'll google out but if you know of a link to the phone number, that would be appreciated.

Thanks OCUK!
 
Tar. Just got off the phone to MS, told me to get to Dell. The restore partition doesn't exist anymore, this was the whole reason for wiping the thing!! I wanted a stock install. I'll go to Dell Monday and get them to activate.

Am I still in the right? All I want is a straight install with no crapware. I don't need to purchase media.....
 
I just did the same thing but on an Asus netbook. The difference is though mine came up with a "not allowed to activate online" message and then offered me up phone activation and the screen with the series of numbers on it you enter over the phone. It went through fine without even asking me how many machines it was installed on!

In respect to your problem I heard (although this is going back to XP days) that Dell always hard-coded the product key into the BIOS. This way it would auto-activate from recovery partition/Dell discs but obviously Microsoft don't have the product key anywhere in their system. So online/phone activation is out.

A quick Google and here seems to confirm they still do it with Windows 7 :(
 
d_brennen said:
Did you install with retail media? I've done a couple of Dells with OEM 64bit no problems, even online activation
Click to expand...

This, you will need an OEM disc to do a reinstall with an OEM key on a laptop. If you use a retail disc that error will come up!

OEM ISOs are available online if you look in the right places! ;)
 
hm so the problem might be with my media? It was a digital download from mIcrosoft using the a digital river link. Looks like I might need to get Dell media.. :(
 
Street said:
This, you will need an OEM disc to do a reinstall with an OEM key on a laptop. If you use a retail disc that error will come up!

OEM ISOs are available online if you look in the right places! ;)
Click to expand...

I recently had to do a Dell re-install, the Dell iso i used never asked for a key and upon installation is showed as activated.
Does that sound right?
I've plenty of XP activation experience but zero win7
 
yeah guys, you need the dell media, it's hard coded into the bios and then once windows 7 is loaded first time, it then activates automagically. unless you can get the media, then dell will charge you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom