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    Windows says I need to activate my OEM Vista

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by smokinokie, Jun 20, 2009.

  1. smokinokie

    smokinokie Notebook Consultant

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    I all of a sudden got a black screen and notification that I must activate Windows today. I have OEM Vista Home Premium 32bit. I went ahead and attempted to activate it and it says my product key is invalid. I did a system restore and it is still giving me the same problem.

    Any help out there?
     
    smokinokie, Jun 20, 2009
    #1
  2. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    Do you know if the key is the one on the bottom of your notebook, or a pre-activated one that the Manufacturer used.

    If it`s the pre-activated key, it might be the same on dozens of notebooks and it might have been used illegally making the key invalid.

    If so you can use the key on the bottom of the notebook.

    You can use the program below to find out, once run the key will be in a .txt file in the ABR directory.

    http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore

    EDIT : You could also give Microsoft a ring and ask what is going on!
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Jun 20, 2009
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  3. smokinokie

    smokinokie Notebook Consultant

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    The key on the bottom of my notebook is different than the one showing in my system. In fact it won't even let me type the one showing in my system. It says invalid character when I try to type the second set of numbers. The one on the bottom of my notebook isn't working either.

    This really sucks.
     
    smokinokie, Jun 20, 2009
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  4. Longhair

    Longhair Notebook Guru

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    Just call up microsoft and tell them that your windows needs to be activated all of a sudden.

    Happened to me 1 day after activating online a couple of weeks ago.
     
    Longhair, Jun 20, 2009
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  5. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I'd also recommend you call Miscrosoft - the way you describe your problem you have a legal copy so there should be no problem at all in getting an activation code from them :)
     
    DetlevCM, Jun 20, 2009
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  6. smokinokie

    smokinokie Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I had to disconnect from the internet for the support phone number to come up. Went through the automated system and it worked. Catastrophe averted.

    Thanks for the replies, peeps!
     
    smokinokie, Jun 20, 2009
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  7. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Even if the automated process wouldn't have worked you'd have gotten a Microsoft representative - I had them before because I've been reinstalling my XP Professional Update that often on my old Medion...

    Its no hassle - and if you are speaking the truth its even better - the key problem with lies is that at some point you'll trip up and it get's inconsistent.

    That doesn't tend to happen with the truth - so there always would have been a solution :)
     
    DetlevCM, Jun 20, 2009
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