HP OEM key invaild going from x86 to x64??

i wanted to use my oem key that come with my hp laptop the key is for home pre x86 version of windows 7, i installed x64 home pre but my key comes back as invaild ? maybe only works with x86?

 

Are you using a Win 7 Home Premium x64 disk you got from HP?

 

Is the key from the bottom of your laptop, or did you get it from existing installation?

 

im using a normal windows 7 disk downloadeded of Microsoft's site, and its the key on the bottom of the laptop

 

I believe you will have to get another license.

 

can you reset to factory settings? if so, use the ABR tool to extract the activation, install x64 without a key (just press next and chose to not automatically activate when online), and then restore with the ABR tool. then it should work.

or ask hp for an hp specific x64 disk.

 

yes i made the restore disk before install windows again, ill give it ago thanks x64 is alot faster and it frees up my ram more

 

It should have worked, the key doesn't distinguish between 32-bit and 64-bit, just which edition of Windows you are running.

Also, if the key was used previously to activate the 32-bit copy of windows then it won't let you activate online. You are forced to call the automated Microsoft activation number to verify that you are indeed the owner of the key and that it is only installed on 1 computer.

 

it wouldn't matter the key come up as invalid not used to may times, i read some were the key can only be used once only on 32bit or 64bit ill try this way to see if it will works

 

This actually needs a bit clarification: does it show "invalid" during installation when you enter the key or after installation, when Windows tries to activate itself?

First one should not be possible if install media is correct and second one is just normal behaviour...

 

Yeah, as KLF said, if it's giving you an invalid key during the installation then you either entered the key in wrong or it's not the correct key for the edition you are installing.

 

A similar thread like this was closed just yesterday by an admin.

You need to buy a new Windows license, period.

With a single key code, you have a choice to install either a 32 bit or 64 bit version of the Windows you purchased, but when used for one or the other (32 or 64 bit versions), it cannot be used anymore - even for the same system.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/quick-start/activation-faq.aspx

 

I thought it didn't matter - as long as the key was only activated on one computer. My system came with 32-bit Windows 7 Pro and using the same key I was able to install 64-bit on the same computer.

 

Hmmm... sorry, you may be right.

This is the thread I was remembering and probably got myself mixed up with:

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5799530#post5799530


Still, I remember that the 'code' at the bottom of a notebook is not what it is really registered with - maybe the suggestion by davepermen to use the 'ABR tool to extract/backup the activation' and then restore it on the x64 bit install will work.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

yep, the codes on the stickers don't allways work. they're not the keys that oem systems get activated with anyways. ABR is the most simple way. i have an ABR backup of all my bought preinstallations so i can just restore them as needed. none really used anymore as they're all vista, and i'm on win7 now.

other than going the ABR route, go the no-key route, and then activate online first with the key (it works by then), and do a phone call if needed.

 

I did a fresh install of Win 7 x64 that came with my Toshiba and used the sticker on the bottom of the laptop. It accepted the code, but after Windows installed it said it couldn't activate (after a couple days though mind you, what?). I had to call to activate and it was fine.

But yeah, extract the key first though and keep that handy. When I had my Gateway, I actually had to use that key instead of the one on the sticker to successfully install a fresh copy of Windows (Vista at the time). That also required a phone call to "the man".

I believe most if not all OEM keys require phone activation if it's not the OEM disc.