I just scrued up my Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit service pack 1. I did format and downloaded the same windows from internet only that was service pack 2. and i tryed to activate my windows with the product key that i found under my pc on microsoft sticker. it told me that it is wrong key. Is the problem that i had service pack 1 before or the new windows that i downloaded is bad copy?
Cant activate windows
- Thread starter erjako
- Start date
Lorien
Account Suspended
The problem could be that it's SP2 vs SP1 (but probably not as long as it is the same version and bit size as what was originally installed) or it could simply be that the system thinks the product key is already in use (by your computer) and thinks you're trying to re-install it on another computer. I believe the download is probably just fine (and I don't want to know how you got it because I suspect I know how you got it).
Try the manual activation process and see if that works:
To manually activate, go to start, search box and type in slui 4 and enter. Enter your country and press next. You'll be on a screen with a phone number and a bunch of codes at the bottom. Call the number and wade through the automated prompts until you reach a human. Have your product code handy as it will be requested. Explain the situation (but don't volunteer how you came to get the disk) but it's the same PC and only installed on that one PC. They should give you a code to enter on that screen to activate Vista.
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
Try the manual activation process and see if that works:
To manually activate, go to start, search box and type in slui 4 and enter. Enter your country and press next. You'll be on a screen with a phone number and a bunch of codes at the bottom. Call the number and wade through the automated prompts until you reach a human. Have your product code handy as it will be requested. Explain the situation (but don't volunteer how you came to get the disk) but it's the same PC and only installed on that one PC. They should give you a code to enter on that screen to activate Vista.
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
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My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
- CPU
- 2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
- Motherboard
- Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
- Memory
- 2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
- Graphics Card(s)
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
- Sound Card
- SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1200 pixels
- Hard Drives
- Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
- Case
- Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
- Keyboard
- Standard PS/2 Keyboard
- Mouse
- Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
- Internet Speed
- 1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
- Other Info
- Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]
Dell AIO Printer A940
Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem
6TO4 Adapter
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
I am assuming (dont make me give you the old joke about ass u me) that your key is an OEM, it probably has the letters OEM somewhere in the number/letter configuation. That key is tied into the one computer that you are using. It is specifically tied into a specific OS. To reinstall this OS there are normally two methods,
1) A recovery partition
2 DVD's supplied when you bought the computer.
You are suppose to reinstall using one of these methods. You cannot just go online and get "who knows what", MS will protect its interests and will do everything necessary.
The OEM key does not like what you have installed.
Contact Microsoft.
1) A recovery partition
2 DVD's supplied when you bought the computer.
You are suppose to reinstall using one of these methods. You cannot just go online and get "who knows what", MS will protect its interests and will do everything necessary.
The OEM key does not like what you have installed.
Contact Microsoft.
My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- Dell XPS420
- Memory
- 6 gig
- Graphics Card(s)
- ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
- Sound Card
- Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
- Hard Drives
- 640 gb
- Cooling
- Fan
- Keyboard
- Dell USB
- Mouse
- Dell USB 4 button optical
- Other Info
- DSL provided by ATT
thats most likely because you had an oem version of windows (pre installed on your pc) you will have to reinstall that one to get it working again i would assume its on a seperate partition on your hard drive what make and model of pc do you have?
My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- Custom Build
- CPU
- Intel Q9550 @ 4Gig / Titan Fenir
- Motherboard
- XFX 780i
- Memory
- 4GB OCZ PC2-8500C5 DDR2
- Graphics Card(s)
- Gainward GTX260/216 SLI
- Sound Card
- Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Dell UltraSharp 2209WA 22"
- Screen Resolution
- 1680x1050
- Hard Drives
- western digital raptor 10000rpm sata
- PSU
- OCZ Modstream 700w
- Cooling
- Titan Fenir
- Keyboard
- Razer Reclusa
- Mouse
- Logitech G5 Gamer
- Internet Speed
- 8mb
Yes it is OEM version, i allso have somekind of RECOVERY (D) disk in my computer, i just dont know how/for what to use it. and there werent not a single cd with my computer when i bought it. The model of my pc is HP Pavilion Dv6-so1100 notebook
My Computer
Boot the computer. When you hear those beeps, quickly and rapidly press f11 until you see the system restore options. If you do not know what to do, tell me what you saw and we proceed from there.
It may say something like
system restore
repair etc
With luck you will see restore to factory specs, or something like that. If you do choose that option. But you will lose all documents etc.
It may say something like
system restore
repair etc
With luck you will see restore to factory specs, or something like that. If you do choose that option. But you will lose all documents etc.
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My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- Dell XPS420
- Memory
- 6 gig
- Graphics Card(s)
- ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
- Sound Card
- Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
- Hard Drives
- 640 gb
- Cooling
- Fan
- Keyboard
- Dell USB
- Mouse
- Dell USB 4 button optical
- Other Info
- DSL provided by ATT
Lorien
Account Suspended
Here's how to use the HP Recovery Manager to create disks and to restore the computer to its original factory conditions (and I confirmed it applies to your model of computer): Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery HP Pavilion dv6-1100so Entertainment Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English) using either those recovery disks or the recovery partition.
This restore to factory conditions will wipe your drive clean, so be sure to backup your important data bfore doing this.
You can use Knoppix http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html with a good ISO copier like: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm along with a blank CD. This should give you enough access to the system (if you can't get in any other way) to backup your important data. If that doesn’t work, try slaving the drive to another computer and recovering the data using that other computer to access the disk. Once done, you can do a clean install either using the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk or the Recovery Disk or the Recovery Partition (whatever process is dictated by your computer manufacturer or that you have available – you may need to contact them for the procedure and perhaps to get recovery disks - here I've included the process above). To do a clean install proceed as follows: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_install_03.asp (adapted as necessary by the procedures of your computer manufacturer). Then you will need to re-install all your programs, reset all your preferences, reconfigure your network and email settings, restore your backed up data, run Windows Update with possibly nearly 150 updates pending,...
I hope this helps. BTW, I would first try the manual activation process described in my prior post to see if it works. If it does, the problem is solved and none of the rest of this is necessary. If it doesn't work, then all you've lost is a few minutes of your time trying an option that might very well work.
Good luck!
This restore to factory conditions will wipe your drive clean, so be sure to backup your important data bfore doing this.
You can use Knoppix http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html with a good ISO copier like: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm along with a blank CD. This should give you enough access to the system (if you can't get in any other way) to backup your important data. If that doesn’t work, try slaving the drive to another computer and recovering the data using that other computer to access the disk. Once done, you can do a clean install either using the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk or the Recovery Disk or the Recovery Partition (whatever process is dictated by your computer manufacturer or that you have available – you may need to contact them for the procedure and perhaps to get recovery disks - here I've included the process above). To do a clean install proceed as follows: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_install_03.asp (adapted as necessary by the procedures of your computer manufacturer). Then you will need to re-install all your programs, reset all your preferences, reconfigure your network and email settings, restore your backed up data, run Windows Update with possibly nearly 150 updates pending,...
I hope this helps. BTW, I would first try the manual activation process described in my prior post to see if it works. If it does, the problem is solved and none of the rest of this is necessary. If it doesn't work, then all you've lost is a few minutes of your time trying an option that might very well work.
Good luck!
Last edited:
My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
- CPU
- 2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
- Motherboard
- Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
- Memory
- 2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
- Graphics Card(s)
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
- Sound Card
- SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1200 pixels
- Hard Drives
- Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
- Case
- Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
- Keyboard
- Standard PS/2 Keyboard
- Mouse
- Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
- Internet Speed
- 1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
- Other Info
- Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]
Dell AIO Printer A940
Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem
6TO4 Adapter
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
i got recovery manager work, an i just want to know what does it actualy do. I know it restore the computer to its original factory conditions but does that allso reistalls windows to?
My Computer
When we say restore to factory conditions, we mean just that. The computer will be just like the day your brought it home. No updates, no programs that you installed, no documents. The OS will be installed just like day one.
You have to install all the updates, install the antivirus etc, just like the first day.
You have to install all the updates, install the antivirus etc, just like the first day.
My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- Dell XPS420
- Memory
- 6 gig
- Graphics Card(s)
- ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
- Sound Card
- Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
- Hard Drives
- 640 gb
- Cooling
- Fan
- Keyboard
- Dell USB
- Mouse
- Dell USB 4 button optical
- Other Info
- DSL provided by ATT
Lorien
Account Suspended
Although it will re-install Vista (and perhaps some other programs included on the partition by the manufacturer as well as the original drivers - whatever came on the system when it was brand new), it will wipe your partition clean of everything currently on it. Please re-read my prior post about how to backup your data first so you don't lose it in this process (assuming you have anything you want to save) and can restore it once the re-installation to factory conditions has been completed (along with all the other things mentioned above like reconfiguring all the settings for Vista as well as any programs you re-install, updating drivers for any devices you added and even for original devices if updates for them are available, and everything else a brand new computer needs done to it). It is possible you may need to manually activate though automatic activation normally works with a factory restore - if so, the procedure to do so is posted above.
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
- CPU
- 2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
- Motherboard
- Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
- Memory
- 2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
- Graphics Card(s)
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
- Sound Card
- SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1200 pixels
- Hard Drives
- Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
- Case
- Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
- Keyboard
- Standard PS/2 Keyboard
- Mouse
- Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
- Internet Speed
- 1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
- Other Info
- Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]
Dell AIO Printer A940
Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem
6TO4 Adapter
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
The question about "does it allso reinstalls my windows" is because i downloaded another vista, and it dosent work as well as the orginal one. I allso needed to install the recovery manager again because i lost it when i downloaded new windows. I havent used the recovery manager yet but I will. So I just want my orginal windows back :D
My Computer
Lorien
Account Suspended
From what I read in the above procedure article, you may need to get the disks as I'm not sure Recovery Manager works without an installed operating system and I don't think it will install Vista or any other programs on its own without those disks (and if you've formatted, I don't think it's possible to make the disks as would normally be possible). And you can't do this by installing the other version of Vista because it will only work with the original version (though it is possible that may allow you to create the disks from the recovery manager and then you can use the disks to start over again - but I'm not sure creating the disks will work right if you're using the wrong installed version of Vista (it may copy files from that installed version to create the disks) - you really need to contact HP and talk to technical support to get instructions here as this is not the normal process and I'm not sure how they have it programmed or setup to operate). Read that article yourself and you'll see what I mean.
I have no idea how you re-installed the Recovery Manager - i wasn't aware that was possible (I though you would need to buy the disks) - or did you just discover how it works?
If you need to activate manually (if you get that far), use the Product Key on the label on the machine and NOT the one that came with the version of Vista you changed to but no longer want to use (because that's the Product Key that will match the version installed by the Recovery Manager or the disks it creates or the disks you purchase from the manufacturer and the only one that will work).
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
I have no idea how you re-installed the Recovery Manager - i wasn't aware that was possible (I though you would need to buy the disks) - or did you just discover how it works?
If you need to activate manually (if you get that far), use the Product Key on the label on the machine and NOT the one that came with the version of Vista you changed to but no longer want to use (because that's the Product Key that will match the version installed by the Recovery Manager or the disks it creates or the disks you purchase from the manufacturer and the only one that will work).
I hope this helps.
Good luck!
Last edited:
My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
- CPU
- 2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
- Motherboard
- Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
- Memory
- 2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
- Graphics Card(s)
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
- Sound Card
- SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1200 pixels
- Hard Drives
- Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
- Case
- Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
- Keyboard
- Standard PS/2 Keyboard
- Mouse
- Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
- Internet Speed
- 1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
- Other Info
- Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]
Dell AIO Printer A940
Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem
6TO4 Adapter
Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
If you want to install Windows Vista with SP2 then you can download the ISO from the Internet and install it on your system Just as installing a Normal OS.
The Key on your laptop's sticker is an OEM:COA key
COA means Certificate of Authenticity
When you use the OEM:COA Key you have to activate windows from the Phone for the First time.
And next time onwards it will activate online when you again do a reinstall.
Regards,
Last edited by a moderator:
My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- HTPC/Desktop PC/Gateway LT2104u
- CPU
- Intel Pentium 4 2.8Ghz with HT/3.0Ghz with HT/Atom N450
- Motherboard
- GIGABYTE GA-81915ME-C/Intel D865GBF/Acer LT21
- Memory
- 2x1GB DDR 400Mhz/512x2GB DDR 400Mhz/1GB DDR2-800Mhz
- Graphics Card(s)
- ECS 9800GT 512 DDR3/ Sapphire HD3650 AGP 8x 512MB/Intel 3150
- Sound Card
- Turtle Beach RIVERIA 5.1 SPDIF Out/SoundMAX AD1985/Realtek H
- Monitor(s) Displays
- SONY BRAVIA KLV-32V300A V-Series/ KLV-19T400A/ Built-in
- Screen Resolution
- 1920x1080/1980x1080/1024x600
- Hard Drives
- MAXTOR 40GB
WD ESSENTIAL EDITION 1TB USB
Hitachi HDT721010SLA360 1TB SATA 150/ 250GB Toshiba
- PSU
- OCZ Fatal1ty 550W/
- Case
- Lian-Li v351, Lancool K-62 DragonLord
- Keyboard
- Logitech Combo
- Mouse
- Logitech Combo
- Internet Speed
- 512 Kbps
Hi,
Just to add something if it hasn't already been said, the HP recovery manager might give you a chance to back up files and settings. Not sure if this applies to all HP computers, but worth a look.
You will need some form of media to back up the data to.
Just to add something if it hasn't already been said, the HP recovery manager might give you a chance to back up files and settings. Not sure if this applies to all HP computers, but worth a look.
You will need some form of media to back up the data to.
My Computer
System One
-
- Manufacturer/Model
- Samsung R60 Plus
- CPU
- Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 @ 2.00 Ghz
- Memory
- 2 GB DDR2 RAM
- Graphics Card(s)
- ATI Radeon Xpress 1200 series
- Sound Card
- Realtek Hi-def Audio
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Mobile PC Display
- Screen Resolution
- 1280 x 800
- Hard Drives
- Fujitsu 120 GB SATA drive
- Internet Speed
- 100 mb/s
- Other Info
- South Korean model,
Shipped from an english teacher half way across the world =P