Windows saying its not genuine

Jock · 3 Aug 2011 at 09:35

Alright guys,

Quick query for you.

I posted a little while back about my mother-in-laws laptop and i had to reformat it, but its a dell and didnt come with any discs in order to do so. I tried a few of the dell utilities but none completely wiped the computer like i wanted.

So having taken advice on here i reformatted using my windows disc which is the exact same version, although during installation i used her own genuine windows key. I though everything was fine as it installed no bother but she phones me up yesterday to say that when she starts it, it comes up with a message about how the windows version isnt genuine and shes got 30 days or so to rectify it. I tried putting in her key again but got no joy, it basically says it isnt a valid key.

Any idea where i go from here?

Thanks

edscdk · 3 Aug 2011 at 09:39

try phone activation, if that fails get a dell windows disk off the bay for a few quid (they are pre-activated) - for xp and vista so i assume w7 is

Jock · 3 Aug 2011 at 09:45

Will do. Before I went the phone route I had wondered if they would turn round and say you arent allowed to have installed from one disc and used anothers serial number or something like that.

Cheers

braveheart · 3 Aug 2011 at 17:10

Jock said:
Alright guys,

Quick query for you.

I posted a little while back about my mother-in-laws laptop and i had to reformat it, but its a dell and didnt come with any discs in order to do so. I tried a few of the dell utilities but none completely wiped the computer like i wanted.

So having taken advice on here i reformatted using my windows disc which is the exact same version, although during installation i used her own genuine windows key. I though everything was fine as it installed no bother but she phones me up yesterday to say that when she starts it, it comes up with a message about how the windows version isnt genuine and shes got 30 days or so to rectify it. I tried putting in her key again but got no joy, it basically says it isnt a valid key.

Any idea where i go from here?

Thanks

Most pre-installed PC or laptop has back up disc before you use the system - usual put DVD disc then backup Windows OS to keep for next time if you reformat Windows and the activation is automatic accept (apart upgrade motherboard mean you cannot upgrade motherboard in same licence) - only RAM,etc.. or clean it up software.

Philtor · 3 Aug 2011 at 23:58

Microsoft like to make activation hell and then wonder why peeps pirate their OS. The mind boggles...

TWiNKLeT0Es · 4 Aug 2011 at 01:20

Its normally hardware changes that flag Windows Activation but a different version may also be the problem. At this point i would be looking towards the hidden partition for the Windows image .WMI and making a copy and reapplying to the main drive. Whats on the hidden partition if any? Thats where i would start. If all this fails look at the sticker at the back or wherever it is and stick in google the last code to get the correct version of windows you need to install.

If all fails try MDL

:Edit:

If you get through to activation without automated services you should be fine.

Check saynoto0870 for free if need be.

uniQ · 4 Aug 2011 at 11:36

I've read mixed success stories using a retail installation disc with an OEM key. Dells should have a recovery partition invoked by pressing one of the F keys at Post and this should contain the reinstallation for Windows and you should be able to format C: before installation.

4T5 · 4 Aug 2011 at 11:42

philtorrens said:
Microsoft like to make activation hell and then wonder why peeps pirate their OS. The mind boggles...

Tosh, Ringing MS is a pleasure & they activate within seconds. :cool:

OP.
Just ring them & explain & I'm sure they'll sort it.

robinbredin · 4 Aug 2011 at 11:53

uniQ
I've read mixed success stories using a retail installation disc with an OEM key. Dells should have a recovery partition invoked by pressing one of the F keys at Post and this should contain the reinstallation for Windows and you should be able to format C: before installation.

For Dell systems, it's F8 at boot for win Vista and 7, then CTRL + F11 for XP. Using Dell disc's on a dell motherboard's don't need activating.