Product key is "invalid for activation"

[RegEdit]

Just reinstalled Windows. I used ProduKey to recover the customer's product key. Windows is telling me that the Windows 7 product key is "invalid for activation." It passed validation. Is this normal? Perhaps it is normal that Microsoft wants users to call in and enter the numbers over the phone.

 

[angry_geek]

If it's oem machine, the key you recovered is the factory generic key. You need the key from the coa.

 

[katz]

If it's oem machine, the key you recovered is the factory generic key. You need the key from the coa.

And what to do if the coa is illegible/rubbed off, etc.?

 

[angry_geek]

And what to do if the coa is illegible/rubbed off, etc.?

Well now. You have a problem. :banghead:

There are some tricks, but I can't remember.

 

[JustMe]

Just did a Win7 reinstall onto a replaced HD. Online activation failed. Made the call to MS and was successful using the automated telephone activation.

They did want to ask how many machines this software was installed on. I said "1". The system seems happy with that answer.

 

[Steve202]

Martyn had a thread about worn coa labels last year. You can ring Microsoft up and they will supply you with a new license.

 

[katz]

Just did a Win7 reinstall onto a replaced HD. Online activation failed. Made the call to MS and was successful using the automated telephone activation.

They did want to ask how many machines this software was installed on. I said "1". The system seems happy with that answer.

I've been successful with this, for the most part; One time a couple of years ago though, I ran into an issue where I kept getting the automated voice, never got connected to a live operator - it was a real pain.

 

[RegEdit]

If it's oem machine, the key you recovered is the factory generic key. You need the key from the coa.

Never knew there was such a thing as a factory generic key. Will ProduKey recover the COA?

 

[SilverLeaf]

Never knew there was such a thing as a factory generic key. Will ProduKey recover the COA?

No, I don't believe so, as the COA was probably never actually entered into the O/S at the manufacturer, just the manufacture's key.

 

[RegEdit]

Looks like the customer will have to order a $30 recovery disc and I'll have to reinstall Windows again.
I guess there is NO way of recovering the actual COA? Looking into Magical JellyBean's Keyfinder

 

[JustInspired]

The 'actual' COA is only on the worn out sticker. You will only find the mass-used pre installation key as mentioned previously.

 

[RegEdit]

The 'actual' COA is only on the worn out sticker. You will only find the mass-used pre installation key as mentioned previously.

SO the actual COA is not encrypted in the registry?

 

[JustInspired]

SO the actual COA is not encrypted in the registry?

Not on an OEM machine. Unless someone previously did a clean install using the product key on the COA before you came along.

 

[RegEdit]

Not on an OEM machine. Unless someone previously did a clean install using the product key on the COA before you came along.

So at the factory they install the OS from an image that has a generic product key. Then does someone then individually enter the COA product key (from the sticker) at the factory or does Microsoft just allow activation of the manufacturer's generic product key? Since the COA is nowhere to be found in the registry I'm guessing that the COA is never entered at the factory. The sticker is put on there only if someone needs to reinstall.

When the manufacturer sends you a replacement "recovery disc" does it usually include a valid Windows product key with none of this validation hassle?

 

[angry_geek]

The factory keys don't get activated. They're authenticated via the bios tattoo.

 

[mikeroq]

So at the factory they install the OS from an image that has a generic product key. Then does someone then individually enter the COA product key (from the sticker) at the factory or does Microsoft just allow activation of the manufacturer's generic product key? Since the COA is nowhere to be found in the registry I'm guessing that the COA is never entered at the factory. The sticker is put on there only if someone needs to reinstall.

Your keyfinder would have found the SLP key. You have already wiped out the old install so you cannot use a program to backup the activation. I like Advanced Tokens Manager.

The big OEMs use SLP (System Locked Pre-installation) keys and SLIC (Software licensing description table) information in the bios to activate their OS. Say its a Win 7 Pro. Their image would have their SLP key, and the OEM Cert license file for that OEM/OS. The Windows install will compare the BIOS information to the license file and it if matches it will activate the OS with the SLP key.

The key on the COA is only used if it is system builder pack, or the customer/someone reinstalls the OS with the COA key.

When the manufacturer sends you a replacement "recovery disc" does it usually include a valid Windows product key with none of this validation hassle?

When you get an OS disk from the OEM ("Dell Windows 7 64bit Reinstallation Disc"), it is setup to use the SLP key and to install the OEM certificate. Then after you go through the OOBE it will already be activated. Other then that bit, and the OEM information/logo it is pretty much identical to a normal OEM disc.

You could just call the automated system and activate that way, or you can install the license file for that OEM and insert the SLP key. People would call this grey but it works.

If you didn't backup the OEM cert from the install, you can find those online. Use an admin command prompt to install it

slmgr /ilc licensefilename.xrm-ms

Then the SLP key

slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Then check the system properties and it should say that it is Activated.

 

[RegEdit]

You have already wiped out the old install so you cannot use a program to backup the activation.

I have not wiped anything. The old drive was damaged. The registry is still accessible offline when the drive is slaved. The CEO is badly worn. Can't read it well enough.

f you didn't backup the OEM cert from the install, you can find those online. Use an admin command prompt to install it
Code:

slmgr /ilc licensefilename.xrm-ms

Then the SLP key
Code:

slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Then check the system properties and it should say that it is Activated.

Are you saying that I can bypass having to order a recovery disc? Just enter the generic factory product key using the command prompt?

And what would a "license file name" look like? I've been searching online how to recover it. Is that something that would be recovered off of the new installation?

 

[mikeroq]

If the OS install on the old HDD is bootable, you could use Advanced Tokens Manager to backup the activation then restore it to the new one.

 

[RegEdit]

If the OS install on the old HDD is bootable, you could use Advanced Tokens Manager to backup the activation then restore it to the new one.

Not bootable. ProduKey was able to read the registry on this bad drive while offline.

 

[brandonkick]

I have not wiped anything. The old drive was damaged. The registry is still accessible offline when the drive is slaved. The CEO is badly worn. Can't read it well enough.


Are you saying that I can bypass having to order a recovery disc? Just enter the generic factory product key using the command prompt?

And what would a "license file name" look like? I've been searching online how to recover it. Is that something that would be recovered off of the new installation?

A worn CEO is a bad thing

On a more serious note, for the $30 to re order the OEM recovery disks this problem can easily go away. They are probably going to pay you at least $30 to "patch" it back together if you should choose to using mikeroq's method.