Windows activation problem

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kululu

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Apr 29, 2014
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I've got a new computer and I asked the company that built it to me to use my windows 7 key I own (not pirates copy.. I bought it) and they installed it for me, now sometimes I get a message in the icon bot in the right bottom that windows is trying to activate itself and it fails and then ask me to enter a key and when i enter my key it says the product key you typed cannot be used to activate windows on this computer.. why is that ? my copy of windows 7 is legit and not pirated, i've always used it when i formatted my old computer
http://i62.tinypic.com/200toj9.png
 
Solution
Phillip Corcoran
you need to buy either another OEM copy of Windows or a retail boxed copy of Windows. Retail copy will have a key that can be transferred to another system if necessary in the future. That's why retail version costs more than OEM version.

Also, I think you can buy genuine key from Amazon online. You just get a card with key & licence, no DVD.
But that will cost about the same as a new boxed copy of Windows with disc anyway. It's the key that you are actually paying for even when you buy a boxed disc in a software store, so just buy whichever is easiest to find.
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Phillip Corcoran

Phillip Corcoran

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Sep 7, 2013
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if you bought an OEM copy of Windows with Product key and you used that OEM Product Key on your old computer, the Key is tied to that old computer so it's not valid for any other computer. OEM Product Keys can only be used with the first computer on which you entered that key.

 
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kululu

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Apr 29, 2014
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if that is the case what can I do ? what would be the cheapest way to get a new key for my computer ? what will happen if I wont enter a new key and this message will keep coming ? and if I'll enter a new key will it just validate my license or will it reinstall windows as soon as I enter the key ?
 
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Phillip Corcoran

Phillip Corcoran

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Sep 7, 2013
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You can tell if the product key is OEM by looking in Control Panel > System.

If you scroll down to the bottom, where it says "Product ID", if it contains the letters OEM, the key you used to install it was an OEM key which is valid only for the first computer you used it on.

you need to buy either another OEM copy of Windows or a retail copy. Retail copy will have a key that can be transferred to another system if necessary in the future. That's why retail version costs more than OEM version.
 
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K

kululu

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Apr 29, 2014
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yes it's OEM :( so where cna I buy a new windows 7 home premium 64 bit key, and when I activate it will I have to reinstall windows / configure everything from the beginning ?
 
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Phillip Corcoran

Phillip Corcoran

Titan
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Sep 7, 2013
25,977
860
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you need to buy either another OEM copy of Windows or a retail boxed copy of Windows. Retail copy will have a key that can be transferred to another system if necessary in the future. That's why retail version costs more than OEM version.

Also, I think you can buy genuine key from Amazon online. You just get a card with key & licence, no DVD.
But that will cost about the same as a new boxed copy of Windows with disc anyway. It's the key that you are actually paying for even when you buy a boxed disc in a software store, so just buy whichever is easiest to find.
 
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