📎 AI Summary:
This WindowsForum thread discusses a user’s issue with a Windows 7 product key not activating after upgrading to a new hard drive, despite being originally valid and used initially. Contributors suggest that the problem may stem from the key being a system builder license locked to the original hardware, which no longer authenticates after hardware changes, or the possibility of the key being reused or invalid. Alternative solutions such as activating via phone or purchasing a new key are also discussed, with warnings about the authenticity of keys purchased separately from software.
J

John Whitworth

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Aug 4, 2014
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Thread Author #1
I purchased a used E machine ER1402-05 and it had a 160 GB hard drive so i bought a upgrade 1 TB hybrid solid state drive and installed it i then installed the windows 7 home premium OS on it and used the original product key that was on the side of the mini desktop but it is not accepting it this is the same OS that was originally on it and i was wondering why the product key is not working
 

Solution
strollin
You may still be able to activate the system by calling MS. You will have to type in a long series of numbers for validation and then the automated system may activate your license. If not, you will then be able to talk to a rep and explain your situation and the rep may then be able to activate your license. If the license is not valid for reasons such as the ones given in previous posts they won't activate it. Over the years, I have called the activation line about 6 times and have always been able to activate using the automated system.
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VsUK

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#2
Probably because the Product key has been saved by it's previous owners or resold multiple times & microsoft has terminated the key. If a product key is openly visible then it's most likely been sold unless when you bought the pc, it clearly stated it comes with product key.
 

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John Whitworth

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Thread Author #3
It was clearly stated i used the code when i first activated the os and it worked for a month then the pc started poping up on start up that i need a new key the key worked on the old drive and as i said for the 1st month on the new one idk what happened
 

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VsUK

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#5
The key was a system builder license. Companies like Dell, Toshiba & Asus buy them at a fraction of the price as we do retail. But the key is locked to the hardware it is purchased for, normally the motherboard. So changing the hardware will require a re activation & because you can't resell these keys or re use them on other systems is why its so cheap for manafacturers to buy them this way.

I sent you a pm btw!
 

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strollin

strollin

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#6
You may still be able to activate the system by calling MS. You will have to type in a long series of numbers for validation and then the automated system may activate your license. If not, you will then be able to talk to a rep and explain your situation and the rep may then be able to activate your license. If the license is not valid for reasons such as the ones given in previous posts they won't activate it. Over the years, I have called the activation line about 6 times and have always been able to activate using the automated system.
 

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Solution
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Meldt

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Aug 20, 2014
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#8
I had a similar problem and finally solved it by purchasing a new key from Removed This was the most reasonably priced at 22.31 Euros. The reply and download was almost immediate (allowing for time differences UK to Australia) and the key was perfect.
 

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davidhk129

davidhk129

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May 19, 2012
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#9
Warning .....................

Microsoft NEVER sells product key WITHOUT accompanied by an installation software.

If you bought a key alone without the software, you have more than most likely purchased a counterfeit or a key that has been reused on another computer(s).
Be prepared that one day you'll find message of " Not Genuine ", and MS might even block your computer from running.
 

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Meldt

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Aug 20, 2014
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#10
Bought it with the download but didn't use the download as I have a good copy.
 

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kemical

kemical

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#11
Meldt said:
I had a similar problem and finally solved it by purchasing a new key from Removed This was the most reasonably priced at 22.31 Euros. The reply and download was almost immediate (allowing for time differences UK to Australia) and the key was perfect.
Click to expand...

Buying keys is, as Davidhk129 correctly wrote, isn't truly legal and whilst they may work for a short while are not considered legal by Microsoft
Recently there has been some debate on the legality on the buying and selling of Microsoft activation key's. Luckily for us Microsoft are quite clear about this:

With the exception of Product Key Cards (PKC’s) distributed with COA’s, Microsoft does not distribute products keys as standalone products. If you see a listing on an auction site, online classified ad, or other online page advertising product keys for sale, it’s a good indication that the keys are likely stolen or counterfeit. If you were to purchase and use a stolen or counterfeit product key to activate Windows installed on your PC, the key may not work for activation, may already be in use on another PC, or it might be blocked from use later by Microsoft when the key is reported stolen. The best way to get everything you expect up front is to buy Link Removed or Link Removed.

Ref:
Link Removed

Users may have bought keys that work but basically they are not legal.

Any threads or posts relating to the selling of keys will either be edited or removed as spam.
Click to expand...
Ref:
http://windowsforum.com/threads/buying-microsoft-keys-online.191161/
 

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