So a while back I bought a used gaming computer (specs: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/MrBeastshaw/saved/2uWw). It has W7 Ultimate 64 bit installed on the OS but the guy I bought it from never supplied my with the COA. When I asked it from him originally he said he didn't want me to have his info but if I needed to do a clean install just to bring the PC to him. Instead I used a product key retriever to find the key. I just bought an SSD, did a clean install of the same OS on their, went to activate windows using the key found on the HDD and came back with this error code upon attempting to activate: 0xC004E003. I then ran the windows activation diagnostic MGAdiag on my HDD to see what was up. The key on there came back as 2- Oem SLP which to my understanding is a manufacturer OEM and can only work using the same mobo as when originally purchased. Since I highly doubt that this was a Dell/Lenovo or any other company type PC I'm really starting to believe that this is not a legitimate version of windows I'm dealing with. Is there any way for me to tell before I go out and spend $99 on a new key?
I think my copy of W7 is illegitimate. How to tell?
- Thread starter Beastshaw
- Start date
Solution
Dark Lord of Tech
Retired Moderator
- Aug 18, 2009
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Try to activate using the automated phone call to microsoft.
Activate using the telephone
If Windows isn't able to activate online, you'll have the option to activate Windows 7 using an automated phone system.
Open Windows Activation by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, right-clicking Computer, clicking Properties, and then clicking Activate Windows now.
Click Show me other ways to activate.
Type your Windows 7 product key, and then click Next.
Click Use the automated phone system. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Click the location nearest you from the drop-down list, and then click Next.
Call one of the available phone numbers listed. An automated system will guide you through the activation process.
When prompted, enter the installation ID that's listed on your screen into your phone's keypad.
Write down the confirmation ID that the phone system gives you.
Type the confirmation ID into the space provided under Step 3 in the activation dialog, click Next, and then follow the instructions.
If activation isn't successful, stay on the line to be transferred to a customer service representative who can assist you.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/activate-windows-7-on-this-computer
If it doesn't activate , you were the victim of an illegal install or piracy.
Activate using the telephone
If Windows isn't able to activate online, you'll have the option to activate Windows 7 using an automated phone system.
Open Windows Activation by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, right-clicking Computer, clicking Properties, and then clicking Activate Windows now.
Click Show me other ways to activate.
Type your Windows 7 product key, and then click Next.
Click Use the automated phone system. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Click the location nearest you from the drop-down list, and then click Next.
Call one of the available phone numbers listed. An automated system will guide you through the activation process.
When prompted, enter the installation ID that's listed on your screen into your phone's keypad.
Write down the confirmation ID that the phone system gives you.
Type the confirmation ID into the space provided under Step 3 in the activation dialog, click Next, and then follow the instructions.
If activation isn't successful, stay on the line to be transferred to a customer service representative who can assist you.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/activate-windows-7-on-this-computer
If it doesn't activate , you were the victim of an illegal install or piracy.
- Aug 3, 2006
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99% sure your copy of Windows is illegitimate. Unless you intend to install the OS yourself, never purchase a computer without the COA. If the seller is unwilling to give you the COA which you supposedly purchased, you should either file a complaint against him and/or bite the bullet and purchase your own legitimate copy of Windows.
-Wolf sends
-Wolf sends
Dark Lord of Tech
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There is no "Show me other ways to activate" thats shows up at all. I can either hit change product key and go through the whole loop again or hit "3 days until automatic activation. Activate windows now." where I am then given 3 options: Buy a new product key online, try a different product key, and contact microsoft to resolve the problem. Clicked on contact microsoft option and am directed to http://support.microsoft.com/search/
- Mar 16, 2013
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In all but a very few instances, Windows 7 Ultimate is illegitimate. No one in their right mind would pay for those extra features, especially for a gaming machine.
Installed on a used machine, with no COA? 99.9999% probability.
Change that to 100%.
Dark Lord of Tech
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Dark Lord of Tech
Retired Moderator
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I did and then was directed to the microsoft support website. It looks like theyve removed the option to activate by phone. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929 Scroll down to resolution and expand windows 7. Under the first step thats the exact screen I get but without the boxed option to activate by phone.
Dark Lord of Tech
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http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929
The windows 7 steps should be like the ones in this guide , i've done. it several times.
The windows 7 steps should be like the ones in this guide , i've done. it several times.
From the windows support website ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929 )
Windows 7
To start the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:
Click Start
Start
.
Right-click Computer.
Select Properties.
At the bottom of the window, click Activate Windows now.
In the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:
Click Use the automated phone system to activate. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
Click the drop-down menu, select the location that is nearest to you, and then click Next. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
The Product Activation Center telephone number is displayed under Step 1. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
Windows 7
To start the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:
Click Start
Start
.
Right-click Computer.
Select Properties.
At the bottom of the window, click Activate Windows now.
In the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:
Click Use the automated phone system to activate. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
Click the drop-down menu, select the location that is nearest to you, and then click Next. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
The Product Activation Center telephone number is displayed under Step 1. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
JDFan :
From the windows support website ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929 )
Windows 7
To start the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:
Click Start
Start
.
Right-click Computer.
Select Properties.
At the bottom of the window, click Activate Windows now.
In the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:
Click Use the automated phone system to activate. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
Click the drop-down menu, select the location that is nearest to you, and then click Next. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
The Product Activation Center telephone number is displayed under Step 1. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
Windows 7
To start the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:
Click Start
Start
.
Right-click Computer.
Select Properties.
At the bottom of the window, click Activate Windows now.
In the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:
Click Use the automated phone system to activate. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
Click the drop-down menu, select the location that is nearest to you, and then click Next. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
The Product Activation Center telephone number is displayed under Step 1. The screen shot for this step is listed below.
This doesn't show up on my screen. Look at the image in my photobucket. those are the only options I have.
Dark Lord of Tech
Retired Moderator
- Aug 18, 2009
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That means the key has been blacklisted, you will need a new key.
It was an OEM license from a prebuilt more than likely.
It was an OEM license from a prebuilt more than likely.
K I tried to call the guy and he didn't answer. Then I texted him and he said text me at this other # so I told him whats up and he never responded back. It probably is an illegal key so I'm just gonna man up and pay the $99 for a new key. Thanks for your help!
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