sigh*

Hey guys dell just sent me an oem copy of windows 7 professional. I have been using it for a few days and when i try to activate it says "The Windows 7 Professional product key you typed is invalid for activation." Its an oem copy. The product id thats they give automatically is in this format
Product ID" XXXX-OEM-XXXXXXX-XXXXX. It says i have one day left to automatic activation. Should i call microsoft up or no?

Thank you

 

I say call up dell.

 

What about automatic activation?

Is there a product key read from the BIOS or not? - Don't think there is, but there may be.

Else, do what Surfasb suggested - call Dell.

 

Nah don't call Dell yet. I see lots of Windows 7 keys doing this with the online activation. Just call up Microsoft and use the automated assistant, hasn't failed on me yet.

 

Yeah, I had the same problem and had to call in to MS. Not happy about it, but that's life.

 

Thanks Guys, what number do i use to contact microsoft about this, Greg what info do i need to give to microsoft? i download this http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012, it said windows=geniune. My windows downloads updates.
thanks

 

Yah just use the automated phone system. Then what you do after that is use windows 7 backup recovery tool to make a system image. That way if you ever need to reinstall the OS you can use the system image and it will reinstall the OS with it already activated. Thats what I do, except I use my external hdd instead of a CD.

When you click the activation option after right clicking on my computer and selecting properties. It should give you a number to call or a option to activate over the phone.

 

It does not give me a number for the automated service when i click Contact microsoft to help resolve this problem it comes up a help screen. There is no automatic activation option, =[.

Maybe i have to wait the one day for automatic activation?

 

xxbadboys93 DON'T WAIT! Call Microsoft today, before your deadline, and get the correct Product Key and instructions from them. Call and speak with a live person, don't call an automated number!!! (And be sure to write down the name of the person you speak with, because that person needs to be held accountable for what he/she tells you to do!) And if you don't know specifically who you need to speak with, start with Customer Service and ask them. If you don't have their number, call information, or look it up on their website.

After you've spoken to Microsoft, call Dell too, becaues Microsoft will probably tell you what Dell has to send you, so that you can activate the correct Product Key.

 

What the hell now its says 0 days to automatic activation. Is this a glitch or something?

 

The hours are counting down!!!

 

What Is Counting Down? Explain Mate

 

I'm expressing a degree of urgency, because time is "counting down." So call those folks up!

 

It seems likes its geniune, i did the rearm command and it gave me another 3 days. Are they gonna deactivate my windows.?

 

Dude, click the activate button, it will say activation failed and give you a few options. One of them is activate over the phone. Use that option and you'll be done. No need to follow imperfect's dramatic advice.

 

Dude there is no activation over the phone.

 

Could you please screenshot the activation failed screen then?

 

I used it with the new sexy windows 7 snipet tool, if you guys want the picture of the dell disc they sent me i will upload it but i doubt that would help.

 

Now, now, Hep. I was just trying to make a point. . . Be nice.

 

Have you tried re-typing the product key and re-attempting activation?

 

Maybe your computer is too embarrassed to contact Microsoft because you named it "MooMoo" ?

Anyway, you upgraded to Windows 7, but your key says OEM--I don't think the upgrade keys result in an OEM product ID, do they? Can anyone confirm?

Anyway, the phone activation number is 1-888-725-1047

Since you will not have the appropriate screen up, you're going to have to speak with a person. I don't know if there is an audio menu choice (press 1 to speak with a person, but if you just play dumb and say NO alot it will eventually kick you to a person and you can try to explain what you are seeing.

I wonder if your upgrade was not performed right. When you installed, it asked you to put in your WINDOWS 7 key that came on the upgrade certificate....did you?

You can skip this step and not put in anything, and it lets you chose what version of Windows to install. I ask because the Studio 1537 does not typically come with the PROFESSIONAL version of Windows, but the HOME version.

You cannot upgrade from Windows Home to Pro with the key they gave you, if that is the case.

 

Exact quote from Dell when they sent me it "Don't worry you don't have to type in a product key, since its oem"

Whats the worse that could happen if i just leave it?

 

Reduced functionality and no updates I think...

 

Hmmm...and with the disk, you performed an upgrade or clean install?

 

I did a clean install, and detlev can you backup your statement?
Its not sayin it isnt geniune.

 

If you did a clean install using a Windows 7 upgrade disk, and did not insert a product key, I think that is your problem right there.

 

Ok whats the difference between the product id and the product key?
And how does the oem disk install work?

 

I believe a product that isn't activated (Vista) used to loose Aero and I think it could only run 3 programmes simultaneously...

So you'd have very basic usage of your computer... it might also display a message that its not activated.

 

:laugh: Thanks for giving me a huge laugh, gerry!

 

prouct id identifies the os, the product key allows the OS to be activated. You needed to put in the product KEY. Just click "change product key" and type it in. Problem solved.

 

THANK YOU GERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRry
IT dont tell me like i got 29 days left to put in a product key. When will it tell me?

 

Also, to get the screen needed to activate by phone, you must disable the network connection. In Windows' opinion, if you're connected to the 'netz, you shouldn't need the phone option, so it won't give it to you.

From experience...

 

I get the option all the time while connected to the net.

From experience (activating an average of 1 computer a day for the past year and a half of my life)

 

*shrugs*

Neither Win OS nor Office has ever let me have the phone option while connected. Who knows. Was just speaking from *my* experiences.