Product Key not working, Microsoft won't help

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taylorroach

69 posts

Master Geek

#173584 28-May-2015 13:29

Hello,

I am reinstalling windows 7 for a work colleague as his computer was running slowly and had viruses, It is a Compaq and has a windows vista sticker and product key on it however they said at some stage the hard drive failed and someone put in a new one and put on windows 7.

So I reinstalled windows 7 and used the product key they had, however I get an error and so I went to Microsoft support. they said the product key is blocked and cannot help me!

So I am stuck as to what to do. I would reinstall vista with the key on the bottom but I don't have a OS disc or recovery discs for this computer?

What Can I do?

Thanks,
Taylor

wasabi2k

2096 posts

Uber Geek

#1313460 28-May-2015 13:31

What type is your media and what did they have before?

OEM?
Retail?
Volume?

What version did you install? Standard? Pro? Enterprise?

If your media doesn't match your key it won't work.

taylorroach

69 posts

Master Geek

#1313462 28-May-2015 13:34

Hi Thanks,

Its a Compaq Presario CQ60-106AU

It had windows 7 professional on it and that's what I have reinstalled.

wasabi2k

2096 posts

Uber Geek

#1313465 28-May-2015 13:40

taylorroach: Hi Thanks,

Its a Compaq Presario CQ60-106AU

It had windows 7 professional on it and that's what I have reinstalled.

Yep, the problem being you have Windows 7 Pro Retail (that you buy from a shop) and Windows 7 Pro OEM (which comes shipped with a machine).

They use different media. If you are using a retail disc, an oem key won't work and vice versa.

You can try this page: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery

If your key doesn't work there it is either an OEM key or dodgy.

edit: Or a volume/MAK key. Given the unknown source of the original Windows 7 install who knows what type of key they have.

taylorroach

69 posts

Master Geek

#1313468 28-May-2015 13:43

Yeah when I click next to verify product key it shows it having an error.

Great... So I should have just left the computer how it was :(

What are my options now?

I don't want to spend money on it as its not my computer.

taylorroach

69 posts

Master Geek

#1313471 28-May-2015 13:45

On the bottom of the laptop I have got a windows vista home premium product key but I don't have a copy of windows vista. or the recovery discs for the computer

roobarb

653 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1313479 28-May-2015 13:51

taylorroach: I would reinstall vista with the key on the bottom but I don't have a OS disc or recovery discs for this computer?

You can download the Vista Installation ISO images, 32bit or 64bit as appropriate.

You may then need to download more recent drivers for the machine.

https://www.raymond.cc/blog/how-to-burn-downloaded-windows-vista-to-dvd/

wasabi2k

2096 posts

Uber Geek

#1313486 28-May-2015 13:54

roobarb:
taylorroach: I would reinstall vista with the key on the bottom but I don't have a OS disc or recovery discs for this computer?

You can download the Vista Installation ISO images, 32bit or 64bit as appropriate.

You may then need to download more recent drivers for the machine.

https://www.raymond.cc/blog/how-to-burn-downloaded-windows-vista-to-dvd/

Nope, the digital river links have been unavailable for a while.

You can try and torrent a windows 7 oem dvd. I managed to get a dell one a while ago that worked.

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taylorroach

69 posts

Master Geek

#1313487 28-May-2015 13:55

Oh yes, with a oem dvd does it have to be for that model or brand etc?

Lias

5589 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1313500 28-May-2015 14:08

taylorroach: Hello,

I am reinstalling windows 7 for a work colleague as his computer was running slowly and had viruses, It is a Compaq and has a windows vista sticker and product key on it however they said at some stage the hard drive failed and someone put in a new one and put on windows 7.

So I reinstalled windows 7 and used the product key they had, however I get an error and so I went to Microsoft support. they said the product key is blocked and cannot help me!

So I am stuck as to what to do. I would reinstall vista with the key on the bottom but I don't have a OS disc or recovery discs for this computer?

What Can I do?

Thanks,
Taylor

Couple of points
If the user only has a Vista COA, then all he is entitled to is Vista.
If the key he was using is now blocked by Microsoft it's quite likely a pirated, stolen, or otherwise invalid key.

However, that aside it may just be that you are using the wrong media for that key's SKU. You can use tools like http://en.janek2012.eu/ultimate-pid-checker/ to check what sort of media the key is valid for. You can then attempt to acquire the correct media (Volume, OEM, Retail, etc)

If I whack in a random key I get something like this:

//--- The Ultimate PID Checker v1.1.3.590 by janek2012 ---

Product Key : XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Profile : NT 6.1 SP1
Validity : Valid
Product ID : XXXXX-XXX-XXXXXXX-XXXXX
Advanced ID : XXXXX-XXXXX-XXX-XXXXX-XX-XXXX-7601.0000-1482015
Activation ID : XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX
Edition Type : HomePremium
Description : Windows 7 Home Premium Retail
Edition ID : X15-39013
Key Type : Retail
EULA : MSDN
Crypto ID : XXX

Benchmark: 7.035 seconds

I could then go and err acquire the relevant media.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1313548 28-May-2015 15:02

have you tried contacting HP? They normally can fulfil (i.e. sell for a nominal cost) OEM Windows recovery media for their products

1101

3122 posts

Uber Geek

#1313863 29-May-2015 09:55

taylorroach: Hello,
... so I went to Microsoft support. they said the product key is blocked and cannot help me!

If the product key is truely blocked, you cant use it. Do a google search on that install key, if you see it in the search then it is
dodgey & pirated.
I dont think you will be able to download legit Vista from anywhere. I would guess any site with Vista downloads will be dodgy as.
You will need a Vista OEM CD (not retail or upgrade) . They are as rare as hens teeth, Ive never seen one .

Sorry, but there is no easy answer, try HP, they may be able to send recovery disks

Batman

Mad Scientist
29760 posts

Uber Geek

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#1313876 29-May-2015 10:10

Install Windows 10 and tell him to look at a new computer

waikariboy

902 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1315014 31-May-2015 11:00

1101:
taylorroach: Hello,
... so I went to Microsoft support. they said the product key is blocked and cannot help me!

If the product key is truely blocked, you cant use it. Do a google search on that install key, if you see it in the search then it is
dodgey & pirated.
I dont think you will be able to download legit Vista from anywhere. I would guess any site with Vista downloads will be dodgy as.
You will need a Vista OEM CD (not retail or upgrade) . They are as rare as hens teeth, Ive never seen one .

Sorry, but there is no easy answer, try HP, they may be able to send recovery disks

Found that Ebay is a great source of Recovery disks also.

Balm its gone!