If the key you used was from a sticker attached to the computer in question then it is an OEM:COA key and CAN NOT be activated online against MS servers. Attempting to do so will generate an invalid key error. OEM:COA keys require OFFLINE activation requiring phoning MS's automated toll free number in order to complete the activation process. It will give you a code based upon your OEM key and the hash that Windows calculates based upon your computer's hardware. You complete the activation process by entering that code into the Windows activation dialogues.
To use OEM:COA key offline activation type
slui.exe 4 + enter into the Search dialogue box of the Start menu. If UAC prompts indicate Yes and follow the ensuing dialogue windows. Note have a pen and paper handy in order to write down the confirmation code as you will need to enter it in the appropriate dialogue window if activation was SUCCESSFUL. If the process was NOT successful, stay on the line and you will be transferred to a human operator to which you can plead your case If you get disconnected, simply phone back but this time say nothing at the automated process where it asks you to enter your key, instead wait the two repeated requests in silence and you will be transferred to a live agent.
If your machine came with Windows 7 preinstalled it used a manufacturer's OEM:SLP (System Locked Pre-installation) key and digitally signed certificates matching a BIOS SLIC entry to OFFLINE activate at the factory. The OEM:SLP offline activation requires no call to MS. Note that OEM:SLP key CAN NOT be used to activate unless both the BIOS SLIC table exists AND the correct matching certificate is available. To restore using OEM:SLP keys and certificates legally but if and only if Windows 7 came preinstalled on that computer then my post here will detail how to do so.
If you have a sticker on your computer, then it came with Windows pre-installed from the factory and that original activation used an OEM:SLP manufacturer's key and a digitally signed certificate matching a BIOS SLIC signature. It will NOT have been activated using the OEM:COA key presented on the sticker. You can activate your machine LEGALLY using that maufacturer's OEM:SLP key that is used for tens of thousands of its' machines and the digitally signed certificate matching the one in the SLIC entry of the ACPI table in your BIOS. Doing so will activate it just as the factory had done AND IS PERFECTLY LEGAL TO DO SO. If you can find the correct certificate and the manufacturer's SLP key then you can activate it using the command line and this construct. You will not need the OEM:COA key of the sticker at all.
First ensure you have a SLIC 2.1 table in your BIOS using this tool
https://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/6925-SLIC-ToolKit-x86-x64-%28Includes-PKey-amp-Cert-Backup%29 It will also identify the signature where some manufacturer's have more than one signature for different models. The certificate MUST match your BIOS signature. You can find certificates here
https://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/5952-OA-2-x-SLIC-amp-OEMCERT-Collection/page105?p=514521&viewfull=1#post514521Then once you have the correct certificate open an elevated command prompt and enter
slmgr -ilc C:\NAME.xrm-ms where C:\NAME.xrm-ms is the path and name where the correct certificate currently resides
Wait for confirmation of the cert being installed.
Next enter your manufacturer's SLP key matching the edition of Windows installed generally Home Premium. Note bit version x86 or x64 is immaterial. You can find the OEM:SLP keys here
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads...Collectionslmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX replace each X with the appropriate letter/number
Wait for confirmation
You will have activated Windows offline using the same process in which your manufacturer originally activated your preinstalled O/S at the factory.
You can check your activation status using the following command line sequences
Code:
slmgr -dli
slmgr -xpr
slmgr -dlv
There will be a pause between each command's reporting feedback. BTW in future once activated using the OEM:SLP key and certificate use ABR
http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore to backup and to restore that SLP key and certificate activation for future use. Had you done so BEFORE reinstalling Windows you would have saved your self a lot of hassles
............................................................................................FreeBooter
Co-Administrator