Activating Windows 7 using a re-used activation key (MS phone system is no help!)

QuadyTheTurnipQuadyTheTurnip Icrontian
edited August 2010 in Science & Tech
I'm trying to activate Windows 7 Professional 32bit on my new computer. I bought the OS (DVD and product key) through the Microsoft student sale a few months ago and installed it on my laptop. My laptop (as you may have heard) died about a month ago. I built a new computer last week and installed Windows 7 again from that disc, and put in the product key.

It refuses to accept that product key, presumably because I had already installed it on my laptop. I've tried phoning Microsoft's customer support, which directed me to their automated phone system for activating...which, twice now, has announced that it can't complete my activation and then hangs up on me part way through.

What can I do to get this going? I'm sure there has to be a way to do so, but i'm not having luck figuring out what it is.

Comments

  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited February 2010
    You have to try phone support until you get someone that will do it manually. There's nothing else that can be done.
  • QuadyTheTurnipQuadyTheTurnip Icrontian
    edited February 2010
    GHAGHAGHEWHAGIOKNEWAIBOAWBENABWONWEAOW

    I tried one more time.
    It turns out that this whole thing was caused because Microsoft's robot automated voice-menu based system doesn't like how I pronounce "once". That's where it failed the other times, and I super-over-enunciated this time and it worked.

    $#%@&ing automated voice tech support systems.

    At least it works now.

    And thanks Thrax. I figured it was that, I just wanted to make sure there wasn't some other way to do so that would come without this dumb headache.
  • chrisWhitechrisWhite Littleton, CO
    edited February 2010
    I hate having to call that line, every time it's a huge pain in the ass.
  • SnarkasmSnarkasm Madison, WI Icrontian
    edited February 2010
    Less of a pain in the ass than buying a new license. Frankly, I'm rather happy they have an automated way to do it that's generally hassle-free.
  • RichDRichD Essex, UK
    edited February 2010
    Does it not do it online?

    With vista you can do it several times without problem as long as you have a decent length of time in between installs?
  • mas0nmas0n howdy Icrontian
    edited February 2010
    It's kind of a PITA, but yeah, it's certainly better than buying a new license. Part of me wishes they would only make you call in if it's been less than 30 days AND your hardware is different, but I'm also glad they don't collect info. I've activated the license I bought for my main rig 4 times already.
  • chrisWhitechrisWhite Littleton, CO
    edited February 2010
    I agree Snarky, it was the biggest pain in the ass when I was dicking around with a ton of different virtualization setups and had to get patched through to a person who might or might now understand that their license policy allows for virtualization on a single system. I haven't had to call them for a few years now.
  • miragemirage
    edited February 2010
    After a hardware change, it was possible to reactivate online (without phone call) after 90 days. Is it still the same with W7? I will need to do this tomorrow after a MB/CPU swap.
  • chrisWhitechrisWhite Littleton, CO
    edited February 2010
    I don't know what the official policy is Mirage, but I'd put your chances at 50/50.
  • miragemirage
    edited February 2010
    Just to correct myself, the activation reset time was 180 days for Vista (not 90 days). Even if this is also valid for Windows 7, I will probably need to have a chat with MS since it has not been 180 days yet since the installation. :rolleyes: I will see tonight.
  • raylerayle install.WIM
    edited March 2010
    For future reference, I usually find using the slmgr scripts works for keys which refuses to activate. See http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/09/02/windows-software-licensing-management-tool-vista-slmgrvbs-usage-hack-guide/ for a reference.

    EDIT: Spelling
  • DavidMorganDavidMorgan
    edited August 2010
    chrisWhite wrote:
    I agree Snarky, it was the biggest pain in the ass when I was dicking around with a ton of different virtualization setups and had to get patched through to a person who might or might now understand that their license policy allows for virtualization on a single system. I haven't had to call them for a few years now.

    Would not want to go through teh whole thing with a 'complication' like virtualization.
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