HDD failed - replaced with SSD - Microsoft blocked Windows key.

The primary hard drive were Windows installed just stopped working.
Replaced it with a new SDD drive and installed Windows 7HP SP1.

Now I can't activate Windows! A problem occured when Windows tried to activate.
Error Code 0xC004E003

I have called to Microsoft and they say Windows key is just blocked, because HDD was changed!
Don't understand, why I can't replace damaged HDD? Why I need to buy Windows again?

I can't use my ASUS laptop within 3 days already, Microsoft blocked a key from the laptop sticker,
Also, can't buy a new key, because Microsoft stopped sold Windows 7 about year ago!

There are no support from Asus within 48 hours (have registered VIP member),
I'm very, very frustrated. What I can do now, how to activate Windows?

 

Makes no sense, MS have never blocked any keys due to a hard drive failure I know of, only when it has been activated too many times or the key has shown up on illicit torrents or sites.

as long as you have the matching OS to the original ( no mixing up 32 and 64 bit versions as well as Home, Pro, Ultimate ) MS has never been an issue getting keys to work or giving you an activation code.

however IF you restored windows from an OEM disk or installer that is not yours you can have issues as OEM's tend to lock them down. Did you by chance download a fresh .ISO image from digital river to install from or was it a friends disk or your old recovery installer/partition?

 

KCETech1, the Windows key on the sticker is not activated many tiems or shown up on torrents or sites, I know this 100%.

1. In Windows 7.1 x64 on the Asus N76VZ laptop, the Samsung 1TB SATA hard drive is starting to have problems.

2. I removed the 1TB SATA hard drive from the laptop and installed an Corsair 120GB SSD drive.

3. Have downloaded Windows 7HP SP1 from Digital River and created installation on USB stick.

4. Installed WIndows from USB stick.

5. Now I can't activate Windows! A problem occured when Windows tried to activate.
Error Code 0xC004E003

7. One part of the support from Microsoft:

Customer: I have a valid key, but HDD failed, now you have blocked that key and I can't activate nor buy a new key, this is abnormal situation.

Support: Could you send me the key to look it up?

Customer: ProductID: xxxxx-OEM-xxxxxxx-xxxxx Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 Key: xxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

Support: Is the HDD you replaced the same model that you removed or was it an upgraded version?

Customer: This is another model, have changed from Samsing 1TB HDD to Corsair 120MB SDD

Support: Since it is an OEM key it would not be transferable to another version of the hard drive of the actual computer, I can get you in touch with product activation and they may be able to fix the key so it can be used however it is not guaranteed due to the fact that it is OEM, other than purchasing Win 8.1 this may be your best choice

Call 1-800-642-7676 and select option 3

8. Called to Microsoft and they say Windows key is blocked, because HDD was changed and Windows is Branded (Asus) OEM,
not builder version, so I will need to contact Asus Support as they are solely responsible for support Windows on their hardware.

9. Have contacted Asus, but there are no answer from Asus within 48 hours, I'm a VIP member.

What i should do now?

 

Did you happen to get the retail .iso, you may want to see if you can get an OEM .iso and reinstall using that.

 

Already get an answer from the Asus support, in my case I need to install Windows from a recovery disk,
which I don't have (laptop comes without any disk), or go to service center to recover my system,
what?

How I get a clean Windows install without any bloatware?
Why do not provide just a link to the recovery disk in a member's area?

Now I know why people search and download a recovery software from the unknown sources
and Windows is a most malware/virus affected system ;(

 

Yes, but where to buy full retail Window7 PRO with a key online? From unknown illegal sources only? Microsoft at their store sold only Win 8. Support for Windows 7 will end 2020. Now 2014, but end users can't buy WIndows 7 full retail online - from legal sources.
It comes from greed or stupidity?

 

You can still order legit copies online and have them shipped to you. But there are not any placed where you can do a digital download that I can recommend.

 

Amazon has Windows 7 Pro SP1 OEM system builder version for $89.

Good luck, Jim

 

Microsoft will only push windows 8 online now, it would be considered a sign of lack of confidence if they still offered 7 and to be fair running 8 with a start menu mod on it is a pretty good solution. Hopefully 10 will provide a better UI experience stock.

 

Had the same issue with an OEM license. Used "phone activation" (automated) to validate. This worked perfectly, but now and then it says " You may be ... yada yada" in the bottom right corner of the desktop. When you go to "Control Panel" > "System" this strangely vanishes and all updates are available after that.

 

Yeah, I have done that with Windows 8 a couple of times. Works like a charm, no hassle. I have not had occasion to do it with Windows 7.

Jim

 

Activation Error code: 0XC004E003 (Product key already in use)

Phone activation should go thru automatically when you choose option "this is the only computer where the license is installed". Cannot remember what it exactly says. If you talk to the support, then just don't mention that you have changed the HDD... you were just reinstalling windows

I've seen that happen too. For whatever reason windows is unsure if the license is valid but validates it in the background before you can reach the control panel

 

Also earlier versions of 8 had the watermark issue where it would not go away, as you update it this gets fixed and it goes away.

 

Sometimes the key simply doesn't work and could have been recycled and reused by the system manufacturer.