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    Cant activate windows

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by NODDY123, Aug 1, 2014.

  1. NODDY123

    NODDY123 Newbie

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    Evening, I have just formatted a friends ACER aspire 5630 and have installed my original CD of Vista home premium, which was for my old DELL laptop.All went well, but now ACER machine is saying that I should activate Windows?????

    Is there some sort of activation code for Vista home premium from an original Dell CD to be used in an Acer machine.

    help in any way would be much appreciated.

    Email please to [email protected]


    NODDY123 Cheers...
     
    NODDY123, Aug 1, 2014
    #1
  2. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    You cannot install an OEM license on another computer than the one it was intended for. If the Acer has a CoA sticker underneath it for Vista, that is the license number that you'll have to use. There is nothing preventing you from installing using a Dell disc as long as you have a license that is valid for the Acer laptop.

    Asking for a code for activation unless you plan on buying one is prohibited by the forum rules by the way,
     
    tijo, Aug 1, 2014
    #2
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  3. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

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    As tijo said, you'll need to manually activate it with the COA Key on the bottom of the laptop. If you have the Acer CD then it should preactivate on installation.
     
    Rodster, Aug 1, 2014
    #3
  4. radji

    radji Farewell, Solenya...

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    +1 to this. Using the Dell CD on an Acer laptop will not preactivate.
     
    radji, Aug 1, 2014
    #4
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  5. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    Frankly I am surprised you were able to do the install if the media was Dell branded, I remember a BIOS check being done that would prevent installation. My apologies NODDY123 if this was not the case.
     
    JOSEA, Aug 1, 2014
    #5
  6. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Contrary to some HP models, Dell DVDs will install on any PC. The OS will just not activate.
     
    katalin_2003, Aug 1, 2014
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  7. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    Yup, and you'll get the Dell logo in system properties too.
     
    tijo, Aug 1, 2014
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  8. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    Not too hard to fix though. ;)

    [​IMG]
     
    HTWingNut, Aug 5, 2014
    #8
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  9. alexhawker

    alexhawker Spent Gladiator

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    Wingnet....nice.
     
    alexhawker, Aug 5, 2014
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  10. Peon

    Peon Notebook Virtuoso

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    Did they have the preactivation technology back in the Vista days? I thought the BIOS-encoded product key was a Windows 8 thing.
     
    Peon, Aug 8, 2014
    #10
  11. KLF

    KLF NBR Super Modernator Super Moderator

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    Vista and 7 have simpler offline activation, it is by brand. Bios still contains a marker but it is not a key.
    Win8 brought in unique keys.
     
    KLF, Aug 8, 2014
    #11
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  12. radji

    radji Farewell, Solenya...

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    Hence the reason behind the OEM branded Windows installation discs that came with the older machines. Only time you needed the product key is if you had to replace the motherboard and clean install Windows 7 at the same time.
     
    radji, Aug 8, 2014
    #12